Week 27: The plugged in cyborg

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Chris Warburton

What seemed like a quiet end of last week appears to have taken quite a turn over the weekend with rumors of a centralised approach for COVID payment holiday collection, what sounds like some AML control issues and more talk of negative interest rates again. Crikey… more developments this week no doubt… but before we get there, these are the observations for last week.

  • I have got so used to wearing earphones for video calls all the time, I realised I am now starting to feel improperly dressed without them… it just feels more comfortable to have them in all day… even when not on a call… is this how we start to become cyborg, I wondered?
  • On video calls, the importance of appearance seems to be coming back (and lighting with autumn approaching)… ironed shirts, shaving all starting to return… what’s next… stage make up?
  • Workwise, digital servicing and approach to customer treatment, were all themes last week, especially with the expected volume increase… this is one that just continues to rumble on.

Let’s see how this week plays out… have a good week everyone… @chris_w_tweet

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More data coming through

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Chris Warburton

Weekly roundup: 18 Sept 2020

This week we have been talking quite a bit around digital processing and how this can help with the expected wave of economic stress.

The accepted timeframe for this is still around October, and not only in the UK, but in other markets too. If you look closely at the data some of the early signs are there already too.

This graph from the BBC is a good example. You can start to see redundancy notifications already spiking… with the impact waiting to come through.

Digital and digital processing certainly still seems like the hot topic, especially to help with this volume…. 66% of firms are looking to increase automation was reported this week too.

More news on credit cards this week, with a UK Finance report on card spending. One interesting bullet was that consumers seem to be paying off their balances faster than they are spending and building them new ones… this is an interesting dynamic for the industry, one which will need they will need to adjust for if sustained.

Lastly, there were new rumors swirling of to BoE thinking about negative interest rates. Definitely one to stay close to and think about.

Have a good weekend everyone…. @chris_w_tweet

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Week 26: Falling into a normal routine

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Chris Warburton

Traffic jams are starting, with people clearly outside and in the office last week. It was quite a full week, and like many people, was glad for the weekend, and some warmer weather. The last hurrah before autumn maybe? Observations for the week.

  • I have definitely been in lockdown too long… tried some hot chilli sauce on a meal out last week and it seemed just really mild… not like the stuff cooked at home… maybe I have been overdoing it with those hot peppers!
  • My fuel consumption is also starting to increase… filled up the car again… I mean 25 weeks and only 2 tanks used (and this included a trip to Scotland and back)… 2 more weeks and another tank gone…things are starting to change
  • Workwise, there is more and more concern over economic impacts expected in October… discussion on how to handle this and using this as an opportunity to re-engineer processes for customers were definitely, themes coming through

More this week no doubt… have a good week everyone… @chris_w_tweet

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