43% of Americans think their smartphones will never replace cash for the majority of their purchases

43% of Americans think their smartphones will never replace cash for the majority of their purchases, and 37% think they won't replace credit cards!

These new stats come from BusinessInsider.com and Statista.

 

That said, 42% think smartphones will beat cash within 10 years, and almost half (49%) think credit cards are doomed in that time frame, so there's still a lot of upside for Apple Pay and its competitors like Google Wallet.

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What's New in Technology!!

Technology is changing so rapidly if you blink you miss the latest changes. In each case, these changes reveal new opportunities for consumers --- attention grabbers -- and new competition for marketers. This is why it is so important to listen to and connect with your customers. Today, they buy almost anything they want from anyone. It's about giving customers remarkable service, so amazing, they won't go anywhere else and they will tell everyone about your business.

Here's a glimpse of what you are competing against in the "experiences" category:

The Future of Transparent Displays According to Samsung!

http://www.psfk.com/2015/06/transparent-displays-samsung-display-mirror-transparent-oled-displays.html

Virtual Reality lets consumers enjoy new experiences!

http://www.psfk.com/2015/06/virtual-reality-games-vr-trends-travel-retail.html

Smartphone Attachment Spots Skin Cancer

http://www.psfk.com/2015/06/cancer-prevention-smartphone-attachment-spots-skin-cancer-molescope.html

A water bottle that glows when it's time to drink water!

http://www.psfk.com/2015/06/smart-water-bottle-app-notification-keep-hydrated.html

Device Gets Rid of 90 Percent of Night Terrors

http://www.psfk.com/2015/06/device-under-your-mattress-night-terrors-child-wont-sleep-lully.html

It's Not the Technology, It's The Customer Stupid!

There is something wrong with smartphones, tablets, the cloud, the excitement over streaming, and all of the new technology we are talking about: 

 

It is not about the technology --- it is about the customer experience. 

 

It is about providing a "remarkable experience" at every touch point, before the sale, during the sale, and after the sale. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE new technology, from apps, to Google Glass, to tablets, to smartphones, and more, but there comes a time when we ALL need to remind ourselves, none of the technology matters, and none of the social media platforms matter, if we are not delivering a "remarkable experience" at every touch point.

 

Examples:

 

I went to Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System in California. When drove in I was shocked to see "free" valet parking and happy, smiling, valets. Now that's a "remarkable touch point."  [Full disclosure, I do social media for SVMHS].

 

I needed to exchange a Latte machine at Bed Bath & Beyond. I walked in explained what was wrong, was met with a happy, smiling person who said "no problem" (even though I no longer had the receipt). She told me to get a new one off the shelf, and I walked out in less than one minute. Now that's a "remarkable touch point."

 

On one of my many family trips to Red Robin with my wife and three young children, one particular server at the Issaquah, WA location has consistently provided "remarkable service." While handling many tables, she always has a great smile, never forgets a request, always over-delivers on what we ask for, and drinks are never empty. No one, at any other of their restaurants even comes close to her service with a smile. Now that's a "remarkable touch point." 

 

In President Bill Clinton's campaigns they had one simple mantra: It's about the economy, stupid.  

 

Today: It's about the customer, stupid.

 

Train everyone on your team to provide a positive "remarkable experience" at every touch point.

Moms Are More Active Users of Social Media Platforms!

New findings just out on a study by Performics highlights mothers as more present, active and engaged users of social networking sites, compared to other women. 

According to the study, mothers are approximately 61% more likely than other women to own a smartphone. They are also more likely to be active on social networking sites. They are also 75% more likely than other women to trust information they receive from companies through social networking sites.

The study shows that moms, more so than non-moms and the general public, trust brands on social sites and often look to that interaction as the primary point of contact. 
digital3000.net 

Six E-Mail Mistakes You Should Never Make!

After spending many years in journalism and marketing I know that everyone needs an editor. Everyone.

One area where we could all improve is e-mail. With that in mind, here are six e-mail mistakes you should never make:

1. Subject Line: Your subject line needs to be specific enough to let the recipient know what's in the e-mail and what action you want them to take. For example: "Important Regarding 2012 Budget: Please respond by Tomorrow." That phrase tells the receiver the message is important, what it's about, and that you need a response by tomorrow.
2. Too Long: 20% of all searches are now being done on a mobile device. E-mail messages must be short because people are accessing messages on smartphones and tablets---not just computers. Be brief, get to the point. 
3. Straightforward and To The Point: Need I say more? This means don't ramble, don't have a long background or history, and most of all---don't be boring. Get to the point.
4. Pictures/Graphics: Don't count on your receiver being able to see a picture or graphic if you want them to respond. If the message comes to them on a smartphone, let the text of your e-mail speak for itself, otherwise you may not hear back from your receiver as quickly as you want to.
5. NO CAPS! If you want to yell at the receiver (and I hope you don't), do it in person or through a phone call, not by using CAPS.
6. Don't Send an E-Mail Message When You Are Angry or Upset: There are millions of people who have wished they never hit the "send" button because they sent an e-mail message out of anger. Wait until you can write a professional e-mail message without risking your reputation.

(c) Joe Barnes, www.Digital3000.net

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The Future of Wireless Access & the Internet!

OnLine Media Daily is out with a hot new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project predicting wireless devices will be the primary means of connecting to the Internet for most people worldwide in 2020.

According to OnLine Media Daily, there will be about 4 billion cell phones worldwide by the end of 2008. Many web experts predict that future mobile phones will function more as computers than phones. The trend of handheld computers has already begun with smartphones like the iPhone and the BlackBerry, but is still mostly limited to business users or other affluent consumers.