Again, this won’t change.

The new critical element combined with the above truism is now; time.

Competitors, historically took 5–10 years to become a force. That competitive play now takes 12 -18 months.

Most businesses hold strategy sessions twice yearly, by the time they realise what is happening it’s too late, the decline in revenues is accelerating leading to cost cutting and job losses.

Never a strong starting position to suddenly become competitive and innovative.

The incumbent answer tends to focus on cost saving exercises to hit quarterly targets.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t know any business that’s achieved exponential growth through cost cutting….

Since timing and meeting consumer needs is the goal.

For an incumbent, I guide investment decisions through timing and consumer needs models.

Which then informs where to cut costs in the right area and be innovative.

Does it work?
Well my teams have identified 7 new service concepts across 4 separate sectors on average 18 months early before they were launched by a new player in that sector.

Imagine what we could do for you….

—

Thanks for reading.
www.sandy.fm

Today’s disruption isn’t new. It’s always been this way. was originally published in baytree.co on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

But this can be too limiting and cause us to miss the wider opportunity.

For example: “I can’t find enough firewood to cook my food”

leads us to: how can I get more firewood?

But, if we instead identify the core truth in this example: I want hot food quickly and safely

the possibilities become endless.

It’s what leads us from fires to hobs to microwaves

And beyond.

It’s this core truth which gives us the commercial headspace

to evolve that service — and not be leapfrogged ourselves.

And it has the added advantage of identifying larger ecosystems with every transition to a new mode.

So move beyond the problem, to find the core truth

and the wider opportunity.

—

Thanks for reading.
www.sandy.fm

Focussing on the problem is the problem. was originally published in baytree.co on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

It’s usually functional in shape and design, yet it ignores empathy.

When the first touchpoint with a new customer is likely to be digital.

Think about: what is the digital equivalent to a warming smile?

The digital equivalent to: I got you.

Why?

Today everyone is overwhelmed by choice, empathy helps you rise above the noise and is the new differentiator.

Increasing the probability of commercial success resulting in a better use of precious investment capital.

So, instead of thinking about a MVP, think about a MLP — a Minimum Loveable Product.

If the product takes off, you will have brand love as your first defence when the inevitable copycats come along. Helping you stand out from the crowd.

—

Thanks for reading.
www.sandy.fm

MVP is a false messiah was originally published in baytree.co on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Technology. AI. Machine Learning. Blockchain. That’s not the driver.

For retail banking, what really matters is how do I reach my life goals.

How do I look after loved ones going forward when the NHS (UK public health care) is struggling today.

Teach my children to be responsible with money when purchases are a hand swipe and now a voice command away.

Even for myself, how do I control my finances when its so easy to pay.

A bank that helps me make informed decisions as a stepping stone to my life aspirations and for those I’m responsible for.

A retail bank that understands this at its core. And uses technology in service to this, exploiting every current and new technology to continually serve that core truth.

The focus should not be its an app, ai, blockchain, machine learning. Or a new technology yet to be discovered and trumpeted in the same vein.

Today, we would never say its the abacus or else. Yet we talk about apps as the answer when its the CX not the UX that a community and customers remember. Because of how it made them feel, creating a sense of trust and relevance.

Any business that understands this will achieve sustainable success and may even end up a role model in the process.

—

Thanks for reading.
www.sandy.fm

Want to lead the retail banking revolution? Be human. was originally published in baytree.co on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.