More on Net Promoter Score


Interesting and thought provoking post here on the value of Net Promoter Score (NPS).  This is one of those topics that generates much debate.  The general theme in that debate, lies in the value of a relatively simple metric, and the extent that will drive appropriate behaviours, that will translate into improved customer loyalty, and revenue.  Detractors might suggest that a simple metric cannot provide detailed actionable ideas. Laura Brooks, VP Research & Consulting, Satmetrix: Building Value One Customer at a Time 1) Net Promoter is simple but not simplistic. 2) Net Promoter tracks to growth. 3) Net Promoter is … Continue reading More on Net Promoter Score

Barclays – bad time to take holidays!


Barclays are coming under considerable scrutiny as a result of two unrelated sets of circumstances.  Nerves are frayed amongst bankers, even the big ones! FT.com / Companies / Financial services – Anxious market catches Barclays short of £1.6bn The trigger for the crisis of confidence was the unexpected resignation two weeks ago of Edward Cahill, the Barclays investment banker responsible for creating vehicles such as Cairn High Grade Funding.  Although a relatively junior banker, Mr Cahill’s departure sparked rumours about possible losses at the bank. Nevertheless, confidence took such a knock that, after a technical glitch disrupted the money markets … Continue reading Barclays – bad time to take holidays!

‘Build your own Bank’ to become customer centric? | Finextra


 Congrats Paul and Finextra on going live with embedding community into their site, with their professional network.  It has been in beta for 6 months, and just went live. I have been posting over there periodically, and posted this today.  In general, I think it will tend to be future oriented things I do on Finextra, but still working that out. ‘Build your own Bank’ to become customer centric? They are financial and social; two characteristics that were never expected to be operating together, but that genie has now left the bottle. Both Wesabe, and Prosper have shown there is … Continue reading ‘Build your own Bank’ to become customer centric? | Finextra

Do you really fear Google?


I find this article at the Economist unusually non-objective, and based on hearsay.  Nonetheless, it represents how a growing number are feeling.  Google | Inside the Googleplex | Economist.com Not everybody is impressed. The server logs will still exist for 18 months. And the cookies of “active” users will be automatically renewed upon expiry. This includes everybody who searches on Google, which in effect means most internet users. Then there is the matter of all that other information, such as e-mail and documents, that users might keep in Google’s “cloud”. The concern about Google is overstated.  Who worried about the … Continue reading Do you really fear Google?

Review of Prosper, Lending Club and the sub prime crisis


Good summary of the situation from Scott at Marketwatch.  Social Lending sites will adjust and monitor the market and the risk.  The distinction however, between Banks and these sites, is that Banks attract other pressures that influence their risk tolerance, in particular liquidity, banks solency, and actions of the Federal Reserve/ Bank of Canada/ Bank of England.  Social Lending is purely focussed on the borrowers, their circumstances, and their ability to repay.  This is lending in its purest form, and thats why it will succeed. Direct lending sites are drawing interest – MarketWatch Lending Club has put a number of … Continue reading Review of Prosper, Lending Club and the sub prime crisis

Mapping the credit crunch |Financial Times


Nice interactive map showing the worldwide impacts. FT.com / In depth – Mapping the credit crunch The FT’s exclusive interactive map charts how and when many of the financial groups affected by the crisis in the US subprime mortgage markets and the consequent turmoil in credit markets worldwide either made a killing or lost their shirts. Continue reading Mapping the credit crunch |Financial Times

Today chocolate, tomorrow ….. ?


Web 2.0 shows up in odd ways, but a common theme is people being able to voice their opinions in a way that is meaningful for companies, and the smart ones listen. What I find odd, although a sign of the times, is the phrase ‘web interest’ in this quote.  I think they mean ‘people interest’.  Hat tip JP. Consumers have voice on Web 2.0 – International Herald Tribune “We have noticed the Web interest for some time, and the consumer passion has undeniably swayed our opinion to relaunch Wispa,” Cadbury said. “This is the first time that the power … Continue reading Today chocolate, tomorrow ….. ?

Is Bank of America getting an unfair advantage from the Fed in the current crisis?


This ‘unusual’ (Fortune Magazines characterisation) move to help out BofA comes one week after BofA bailed out Countrywide Mortgage.  Its most odd, and at best a serious omission for either the Fed, or BofA not to at least comment on the overall approach to managing the crisis.  Is it a strategy to help the big banks, in return for them to pass on help to the ones in trouble?  This set of events certainly makes me suspect that.  How is it determined which Banks get the advantage? Clearly there is an architected set of events going on to mitigate the … Continue reading Is Bank of America getting an unfair advantage from the Fed in the current crisis?

Web Strategy and the web lifestyle


Good discussion starting here on the framework for web strategy, and over here at Jonathans site.  A set of related posts going on here from JP at Confused. Web Strategy: The Three Spheres of Web Strategy (and the skills required) The Web Strategist must understand (by using a variety of techniques and tactics) what users want. This is commonly known as User Experience Research which will create and craft a ‘mental model’. In addition, the strategist will need to be in tune with the community in which their website is part of, this is greater than just users, as it … Continue reading Web Strategy and the web lifestyle