Image 4's Insight

After suffering the negative effects of the Great Recession, manifested in lower deposits for branches built just before or during the 2008-2009 downturn, financial institutions are now ready to reconsider expansion strategies. This article examines some of the recent trends around new branches, emphasizing the need to consider location as one of the top indicators of future success.

Article Excerpt:
Banking pundits say branches grow irrelevant, but many consumers still want them. Abandon the herd now and you'll have less competition.

Image 4's Insight
Even trade show organizers are beginning to recognize the value of experience design. Using empathy to understand what attendees want and need at every turn reduces frustration, creates a better overall experience and keeps visitors engaged longer. Organizers increasingly allow attendees to create their own trade show experience by offering different tracks and a variety of delivery formats. By designing your own exhibit space to enhance that experience, you will help make the show a success not only for yourself but also for the future success of the show.

Article Excerpt:
Trade show organizers and meeting planners strive to create experiences for both attendees and exhibitors that will provide value and be memorable. Historically, events have been designed based on what organizers felt attendees needed but in recent years, some organizers have flipped that notion on its head. Greg Bogue, chief experience architect at Maritz Global Events, believes it’s important to think about events differently and approach planning from the attendees’ perspective.

Image 4's Insight
In the last two decades, shopping as we know it has been completely transformed. Even just a few years ago, many people would still drive to the nearest mall to purchase desired items. Fast forward to 2019 and many retail stores are shuttering their physical locations. Once high-revenue companies such as Victoria's Secret, The Gap and even Tesla are closing a vast number of retail stores and are shifting sales online, creating concern for large malls.

Article Excerpt:
A recent wave of store closure announcements will hit shopping malls across the U.S.

Image 4's Insight
When expectations for speed and intuitive service delivery have been set on a digital platform and these same expectations are not met in the physical branch environment, it creates an experience gap that decreases customer satisfaction. To bridge this disconnect, banks should focus on implementing banking platforms that span both self-service and assisted channels and leave their unwieldy legacy systems behind. Only then can employees focus on what really matters: the customer.

Article Excerpt:
The banking industry continues to invest heavily in online and mobile banking delivery, setting an experience standard that can't be met in most physical branches.

Image 4's Insight

Parks, orchards, greenhouses and ponds...doesn't every workplace have these? That's the goal of an emerging architectural movement called the Biophilic Design Initiative. Piped in breezes, green spaces and soothing water sounds can greatly improve motivation and even help to lower stress and blood pressure.

Article Excerpt:
Tech companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Google are using biophilic design to encourage wellness and productivity in their employees.

Image 4's Insight
Despite the rise of online and mobile technology at banks across the country, studies show consumers still prefer face-to-face interactions when they need financial advice. The challenge for banks is balancing innovation with human interaction to meet the needs of their customers and create a personalized experience. Incorporating technology at bank branches is important, but what will keep customers coming back now and in the future is meaningful interactions with actual humans. It is these interactions that make people feel comfortable making important financial decisions.

Article Excerpt:
A new study commissioned by Samsung finds that consumers still prefer in-person interactions at bank branches.

Image 4's Insight
Hospitality suites have changed drastically over the last several years and brands now strive to create memorable experiences to drive loyalty, educate potential customers on products and services and strengthen business relationships. Companies like Under Armour are leveraging their assets to offer one-of-a-kind experiences, such as meet-and-greets with prominent athletes or other role models they sponsor. These types of unique hospitality events create a lasting impression on business partners and clients while highlighting the unique aspects of the brand.

Article Excerpt:
There was a time not so long ago when hospitality experiences were nothing to write home about. Today, the landscape is drastically different.