Web/Tech

What is Windows Live? | ZDNet.com

Colin Henderson

 For those following the strategies of Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo, here is a pretty decent summary of Microsoft Windows Live strategy: Live consists of three distinct, yet interrelated, parts, Berkowitz said. Live platform (about which I’ll be blogging more later today); individual Live services (Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Spaces, Windows Live Expo, etc.); and Live experiences, or user interfaces. Berkowitz describes experiences as ways to enter the Internet – search, commerce, entertainment portals (such as MSN.com) and community. Source: » Once more (with feeling): What is Windows Live? | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com   Technorati tags: microsoft, windows+live Continue reading What is Windows Live? | ZDNet.com

Social networks

Zopa blog | message to customers

Colin Henderson

 With this note, Zopa prove they get it.  This is an example of why Banks need a blog – not just for emergencies, but perfect for use if there is one. Posted by Dave at 10:59 pm  – 27th Nov 2006 Our hosting company’s ISP has had a bit of a hiccup. A lot of people are having trouble accessing the site – apologies if you’re one of them. We’re trying to get it sorted as soon as possible – check back soon! Cheers Dave Source: Zopa blog And … note the time – 20 minutes ago – it merely … Continue reading Zopa blog | message to customers

Uncategorized

Linux s’installe dans les PC des députés – Entreprise – ZDNet.fr

Colin Henderson

The French Government is switching to Linux, OpenOffice, and Firefox.  Apparently the number of computers is just over 1,000, but this is significant nonetheless.  À compter de la prochaine législature (juin 2007), les 1.154 postes informatiques des parlementaires n’intégreront plus Windows mais un OS Linux, ainsi que la suite bureautique OpenOffice, le navigateur Firefox et un client de messagerie libre. Source: Linux s’installe dans les PC des députés – Entreprise – ZDNet.fr Now I am not the one to back the French, and I have questioned their judgement before, like their attempt to build a search engine alternative to Google called … Continue reading Linux s’installe dans les PC des députés – Entreprise – ZDNet.fr

Uncategorized

Enterprise Decision Management – a Weblog: Hits and Niches

Colin Henderson

James does a nice review of “The Long Tail” – Chris Anderson.  Worth the read. Chris boils the whole thing down to this: 1. Make everything available 2. Help me find it Source: Enterprise Decision Management – a Weblog: Hits and Niches Since we have been speaking here about disintermediation of Banks a lot this week, lets use the Long Tail model and try this one on social lending. Consider Zopa and Prosper.  Right now they are way out on the right on this model.  The Banks who sit in the red on the left, won’t notice them.  But what happens … Continue reading Enterprise Decision Management – a Weblog: Hits and Niches

AI

NetBanker 2.0: Wells Fargo to redesign its homepage

Colin Henderson

Jim makes a good catch here that Wells have a cryptic note on their home page indicating they will be re-designing their home page. There may be very good technical and/or marketing reasons for the iterative process, but they should be explained. Source: NetBanker 2.0: Wells Fargo to redesign its homepage Wells are right to talk to their customers about it, but they could engage them on so many more and better levels than “We’re redesigning our homepage. You may see a different homepage for a few months while we refine the design.” Things they could think about: beta expalin … Continue reading NetBanker 2.0: Wells Fargo to redesign its homepage

Web/Tech1 Comment

Classic Disruption: Microsoft Dismisses New Google Apps as Inferior

Colin Henderson

 Great blog here studying disruptive technology.  This post is on to something we covered before, when I reviewed the use of Microsoft Office in Banks.  This review here covers three key elements to consider with Office products.  I would add a fourth – cost. Are collaboration and version control becoming more important to a rising group of workers?  Are twenty-something young professionals getting more experience and familiarity with Google apps early in their careers? Are most customers overshot with complexity and functionality in current office applications that they never use? Source: Michael Urlocker Examines Disruption and Disruptive Processes – Classic … Continue reading Classic Disruption: Microsoft Dismisses New Google Apps as Inferior

Business Models1 Comment

Email is not an acquisition tool – it is a relationship tool

Colin Henderson

 Great quote.  Email is not an acquisition tool!  It is a relationship tool.  Something you use to develop a conversation with a prospect or customer. In fact, as Jim Nail, Former Senior Analyst with Forrester, said in a recent report: “One of the real strengths of email is its ability to finish the customer acquisition job started by media advertising.  Once the customer has been attracted to the web site, email can move a prospect through the consideration and preference phases all the way to purchase.” Source: AIMS Canada: From Acquisition to Developing Customer Relationships: Measure What Works   Technorati … Continue reading Email is not an acquisition tool – it is a relationship tool

AI1 Comment

Payments News | Three Major Strategic Shifts For Financial Services

Colin Henderson

 Payments News has a review of TowerGroup’s Cross-Industry practice 2007 report.  It identifies three macro trends impacting Financial Services.  These are interesting choices, that are different that the usual ones (except for 1). Reinventing Financial Services: The financial services industry has been slow to reinvent itself in the face of an increasingly networked world. Without reinvention, institutions risk being disintermediated by nontraditional industries as new, previously unlikely competitors find their way into financial services. Rather than continuing to make tactical changes in response to shifts in the marketplace, successful firms will be those that consider how to reinvent the financial … Continue reading Payments News | Three Major Strategic Shifts For Financial Services

Social networks

McKinsey | A grassroots approach to emerging-market consumers

Colin Henderson

Social lending must be going mainstream – McKinsey have analysis here.  In the analysis they conclude the concept is a win-win, but there is a doubt.  The one thing this piece tells me is that social lending is becoming confused with Microcredit, so before I continue, here is my definition: Social Lending:  an internet business that beings lenders and borrowers together eliminating the requirement for banks.  Borrowers are generally within three categories, (as nicely defined by James in a comment earlier) and mostly 1) & 2): 1. Borrowers who can’t get a loan from a bank for whatever reason, but … Continue reading McKinsey | A grassroots approach to emerging-market consumers

Wireless3 Comments

2007 Is Looking Like The Year Cell Phone Banking Gets Started – News by InformationWeek

Colin Henderson

Wireless Banking (as in looking at your cell screen, for the North Americans) is big everywhere in the world except North America.  Some are now predicting that the right elements are in place, including infrastructure and suitable devices that this might start to kick in, during 2007.  Mobile phone banking has yet to hit the United States, but look for a big push in the coming year, as customers already used to online banking buy faster, smarter cell phones and get accustomed to doing more data-intensive tasks on the go. Most banks, though, have a long way to go to provide … Continue reading 2007 Is Looking Like The Year Cell Phone Banking Gets Started – News by InformationWeek