DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Ethos scores a $2 billion valuation after raising a $200 million to disrupt life insurance
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-13 | by ( Victor Chatenay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

US-based insurtech Ethos achieved a $2 billion valuation following a $200-million Series D round. Get a daily newsletter packed with financial services data, insights, and analysis from the Insider Intelligence team. Founded in 2016, Ethos offers both term and whole life insurance underwritten by partner carriers . It can take weeks for consumers to access life insurance coverage due to back and forth with incumbents, often including a doctor's visit and blood tests. And booking such exams got harder last year as doctors were called to the pandemic fight, making life insurance applications all the more arduous.

Persons: insurtech, Jay, Robert Downey Jr, Will Smith, insurtechs Organizations: Intelligence, Insider Intelligence, Banking, Insider Inc, Service, Ethos

☆ Forecast eCommerce trends predicted for Amazon will beat expectations in 2021
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-06 | by ( Blake Droesch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

And Amazon generates more than one-quarter of US ecommerce sales for every category other than auto/parts. There are two verticals where Amazon receives the majority of US ecommerce sales: books/music/video (83.2% of all US ecommerce sales in 2021) and computer/consumer electronics (50.2%). The ecommerce giant will receive more than 45% of US ecommerce sales dollars this year in three additional categories: "other" (48.2%), toys/hobby (46.0%), and office equipment/supplies (45.6%). Another way of looking at it: Amazon will receive more than one-quarter of US ecommerce sales dollars for every category other than auto/parts. Apparel/accessories is Amazon's second-largest sales generator in the US, making up 16% of its total US ecommerce sales in 2021.

☆ XR Technologies and Trends: Pandemic ushers in immersive experiences
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-26 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Extended reality (XR) technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) are still in the early phases of adoption, but they are evolving quickly. Because the pandemic has forced many people to work, socialize, study, and shop at home, they're using XR experiences to replace in-person ones. AR usage still outpaces VR and VR headset usage by a significant amount. Insider IntelligenceThough VR and AR are different technologies growing at different rates, the pandemic appears to have galvanized the market for both. Top companies investing in XRThe pandemic has turned XR into an even more important growth area for Big Tech.

☆ 5G will advance payments and mobile commerce
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-23 | by ( Jim Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

5G tech will likely bring about positive changes to the retail industry. The following is a preview of one Ecommerce & Retail report, the How 5G will Change Retail. 5G technology could bring about positive changes to the retail industry. Shekel Brainweigh has developed an autonomous retail store format with AI-enabled smart shelf systems that count inventory by weighing items on shelves. We forecast that US mobile payment volume will rise from $705.28 billion in 2019 to $2.541 trillion in 2025 across mcommerce, proximity mobile payments, and mobile peer-to-peer (P2P) payments.

☆ Excellent CX requires proper organizational structure and team setup
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-23 | by ( Jeremy Goldman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sometimes companies can get in their own way of delivering great customer experience (CX). The following is a preview of one Media, Advertising, and Marketing report, Customer Experience 2021. Great customer experience (CX) leads customers to make more purchases from companies across all industries. Best-in-class customer experience (CX) requires proper team structure. More Marketing Industry Topics:

☆ Digital payments: Which industries would benefit the most?
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-22 | by ( Daniel Keyes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Faster digital payments are garnering greater interest from US financial institutions, businesses, and consumers. Faster digital payments are garnering greater interest from US financial institutions, businesses, and consumers. Faster payments' speed also provides valuable transparency for firms, which benefit from the certainty of immediate payment. C2C digital paymentsMobile P2P payments are among the C2C use cases that could benefit from real-time digital payments. Insider IntelligenceThe quicker settlement speeds and additional transparency of faster payments are attractive to firms and consumers involved in B2C payments, which include bill payments, payroll, and retail.

☆ Social audio marketing challenges for 2021
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-22 | by ( Debra Aho Williamson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The following is a preview of one Media, Advertising, and Marketing report, Clubhouse and Social Audio 2021. But any marketer that's active in social media should weigh the drawbacks of entering social audio right now. Social audio sits at the juncture of four activities: social media, digital audio, virtual events, and conversations. For now, social audio is a fraction of the size of social networking or podcasting. Social audio marketing efforts: minimal payoffMarketers shouldn't enter social audio in 2021 with the idea of generating a massive return.

☆ Social Determinants of Health: Technology, examples and healthcare trends in 2021
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-16 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Healthcare payers and providers are broadening the scope of health-influencing factors they address to include social determinants of health (SDOH). The following is a preview of one Digital Health report, the Social Determinants of Health Report. Hospitals and insurers use digital health to tackle nonclinical health factors. What are social determinants of health (SDOH)? Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical, economic and environmental conditions that both directly and indirectly impact one's health, like access to transportation and nutritious food.

☆ Innovation Strategies at Small and Midsize FIs: How US Banks with Assets Below $100 Billion Are Punching Outside Their Weight Class on Digital User Experience
▼ + stars: | 2021-02-18 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Smaller FIs are aware of the need to develop value-added digital customer experiences, but they have to do so with smaller budgets than their competitors. The following is a preview of Insider Intelligence's Innovation Strategies at Small and Midsize FIs Report. How can smaller FIs use digital to their advantage? Innovation strategies for small and midsize FIsDespite the financial and digital obstacles smaller and midsize FIs face, there are key strategies they can harness. Insider Intelligence's Innovation Strategies for Small and Midsize FIs Report discusses the unique challenges and advantages small and midsize FIs face in relation to digital innovation; outlines the innovation strategies open to them, and their pros and cons; and gives real-world examples of these strategies in action.

☆ PPP SMALL BUSINESS LOANS: How $525 billion in coronavirus-linked loans were spread across banks lenders
▼ + stars: | 2021-02-03 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This is an update to our May and July PPP Small Business Loans reports. Its average loan size of $104,760 is just over the program's overall average of $101,000—this is particularly impressive when compared with its average loan size of $515,304 in the PPP's first tranche. It approved $6.55 billion in loans with an average loan size of $32,960, making it the bank with the lowest average loan size among top lenders. Best PPP LendersIn PPP Small Business Loans—the final of three updates—Insider Intelligence looks at how different lenders fared at implementing the PPP. Looks into PPP loan sizes and total fees gained by lenders, and examines total funded loans and average loan amounts for the top PPP lenders.

☆ Google Assistant has a huge advantage in the voice assistant market
▼ + stars: | 2017-11-20 | by ( Rayna Hollander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Devices running Google Assistant account for 46% of the smartphones equipped with personal assistants, but by 2022, Google will expand its market share to exceed 60%. Google will further strengthen its lead in the market as more of the Android installed base gains access to Google Assistant. Google Assistant is compatible with Android devices running an unforked version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow or newer. Although Google has a massive global reach, with approximately 2 billion active Android devices, just under half are currently compatible with Google Assistant. As more Android devices upgrade to software that is compatible with Google Assistant, Google will be able to increase its share in the market for smartphones with built-in voice assistants.

Persons: Apple's Siri, Samsung's Bixby, Bixby, Alexa, Jessica Smith Organizations: Intelligence, Google, Baidu, Android, Samsung, Alexa, BMW, Nissan, Insider Intelligence, Business

☆ The pros and cons of bank 'intrapreneurship' programs
▼ + stars: | 2017-11-10 | by ( Maria Terekhova | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

BI IntelligenceThis story was delivered to Insider Intelligence "Fintech Briefing" subscribers. Last month, BNP Paribas launched its Alpha program, and this week, Societe Generale followed suit with what it calls an "intrapreneurship" program. This inward-looking approach to innovation has both pros and cons for banks:It ensures innovation comes from within the organization. Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:A failure to consider operating culture is already hurting banks' innovation projects. A few banks managed to identify the problems posed by their operating culture early on, started to implement changes to combat it, and are already seeing positive results.

Persons: fintechs —, Sarah Kocianski, Banks, what's, BII Organizations: BNP, Alpha, Societe Generale, Insider Intelligence, Business, BI Intelligence, Citi, DBS, ING

☆ MasterCard, Visa, and Amex are trying to enter China
▼ + stars: | 2017-07-24 | by ( Ayoub Aouad | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

US card networks MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are preparing to submit a license request to operate in China, according to Reuters. China's card market is poised to be the largest in the world, which makes entering the region a significant growth opportunity for US networks. For companies seeking to build out a robust mobile payments product, China's thriving mobile payments ecosystem offers some insight — and some lessons. Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on mobile payments in China that:Forecasts and compares mobile payments volume, in-store mobile payments users, mobile payments volume per capita, and mobile commerce penetration in China and the U.S.Overviews the key competitors in China's mobile payments market, and how new entrants may shuffle the hierarchy of dominant players. Uncovers the key drivers propelling China's mobile payments market.

Persons: Nilson Organizations: Intelligence, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Reuters, GlobalData, Fox Business, Business Locations: China, U.S

☆ Chatbots are gaining traction
▼ + stars: | 2017-05-11 | by ( Laurie Beaver | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Chatbots are gaining popularity globally, according to a new survey by LivePerson. BI IntelligenceOnly 11% of those surveyed globally reported a negative perception of chatbots, while the remaining 51% had neutral stances. Chatbots used for productivity purposes — such as scheduling — ranked lowest, as only 14% of those surveyed did so in the past year. The report also forecasts the potential annual savings that businesses could realize if chatbots replace some of their customer service and sales reps. Forecasts the potential impact chatbots could have for businesses.

Persons: Chatbots, chatbots, Laurie Beaver Organizations: Intelligence, Business, BI, US, HP, CNN, Insider Intelligence, Google Locations: France, Japan

☆ Here's why bitcoin boomed in 2016
▼ + stars: | 2016-12-28 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

According to Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency saw an annual gain of 54% in 2016, outperforming all fiat currencies, most of which stumbled this year. Blockchain technology, which is best known for powering Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, is gaining steam among finance firms because of its potential to streamline processes and increase efficiency. As a result, venture capital firms and financial institutions alike are pouring investment into finding, developing, and testing blockchain use cases. Banks and major financial institutions are working both collaboratively and independently to develop blockchain tech. Over 50 major financial institutions are involved with collaborative blockchain startups, like R3 CEV or Chain.

Persons: it's, Bitcoin, Dow Jones, It's, Trump, Jaime Toplin, Banks Organizations: Nasdaq, Lisk, That's, Insider Intelligence, Business, Aite, CEV Locations: London, US, Santander, blockchain

☆ IoT Insurance: Trends in Home, Life & Auto Insurance Industries
▼ + stars: | 2016-12-20 | by ( Andrew Meola | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Future insurance will look much different thanks to Internet of Things, which will touch home insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, and health insurance. There are already some auto insurance industry trends at play that demonstrate this change, and broader trends in the insurance industry are also making their presences felt. BIIIoT in Auto InsuranceMany auto insurance companies are starting to use the IoT, largely through connected cars, to track drivers' habits in real time. By offering this service, auto insurance companies can more accurately price their premiums and provide more savings for their customers. Similar to life insurance companies, health insurance companies are largely using wearable devices to keep track of their clients' health.

Persons: Vik, Forbes, that's, Progressive's, John Hancock Organizations: Affordable, Insurance, Home Insurance, IBM, BI Intelligence, Business, Life, Nike, Auto Insurance, Nielsen, Research, Health, Sutherland Global Services, Apple Watch, Farm, Intelligence Locations: U.S, Vik Renjen

☆ 80% of businesses want chatbots by 2020
▼ + stars: | 2016-12-14 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Businesses are beginning to see the benefits of using chatbots for their consumer-facing products, according to a survey by Oracle. And 48% said that they already use automation technology for these business functions, with 40% planning to implement some form of automated technology by 2020. Twenty-nine percent of customer service positions in the US could be automated through chatbots and other tech, according to Public Tableau. Foreseeing immense potential, businesses are starting to invest heavily in the burgeoning bot economy. The report also forecasts the potential annual savings that businesses could realize if chatbots replace some of their customer service and sales reps.

Persons: Laurie Beaver Organizations: Intelligence, Oracle, HP, CNN, Insider Intelligence, Business, Google Locations: France, Netherlands, South Africa

☆ The Financial Times' revenue is now digital-first
▼ + stars: | 2016-12-05 | by ( Robert Elder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Financial Times (FT) is now earning more revenue from digital than print, The Guardian reports. In doing so, it becomes the first legacy UK newspaper that can claim to be a digital-first content business. Digital subscription tiers range from about $5 a week for a standard package to close to $10 a week for a premium package. Yet framing it this way also disguises an unpleasant fact — the precipitous drop of print revenue, as shown in the chart above. Each category is obviously different, and won't face the same challenges and opportunities in dialing up the percentage of subscribers and subscription revenue.

Organizations: Intelligence, Financial Times, Guardian, New York Times, Insider Intelligence, Business, The New York Times, LinkedIn Locations: The

☆ Loyalty and rewards programs are going out of style
▼ + stars: | 2016-05-25 | by ( Andrew Meola | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Loyalty and rewards programs provide reasons for consumers to routinely shop at one retailer, but these programs are falling out of favor with one important group. The quality of customer service consumers experience through all channels (email, phone, etc.) 60% of US consumers have not completed an intended purchase based on a poor customer service experience. Lack of effective customer service on social media seems to be spilling over into users' willingness to interact with brands at all on the channel. Nearly half of all luxury consumers demand an apology, refund, or incentives following a poor customer service experience.

Persons: Collinson, — it's, Nancee Halpin Organizations: Microsoft, Insider Intelligence, Business

☆ Brands form customer loyalty even after they purchase an item
▼ + stars: | 2016-05-24 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Building customer loyalty extends beyond the actual purchase, and brands and retailers should focus on how to continue relationships with customers afterwards. However, another aspect that should also be of concern is in the customer service experience. Providing good customer service is a key way to drive loyalty and influence future sales post-purchase. Nancee Halpin, research associate for Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on customer service that looks at why customer service matters, which stalwart channels are still top performers, and which new channels have the most potential. 60% of US consumers have not completed an intended purchase based on a poor customer service experience.

Persons: OLIVER, — it's, Nancee Halpin Organizations: Forbes, Brands, Wall Street, Microsoft, American Express, Insider Intelligence, Business

☆ This one problem could cost smart cities hundreds of billions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2016-05-11 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In the smart cities space, this issue could add hundreds of billions of dollars in costs to smart cities projects around the world, Machina Research predicted:Deploying IoT solutions without interoperability standards would add $341 billion in costs to smart city deployments worldwide by 2025, the report said. With such non-standardized solutions, global implementation costs for smart cities projects would be $1.12 trillion over that time period. Cost is already a major challenge for smart cities as projects, as municipalities are often squeezed by tight budgets. In this report we will also:Define the difference between connected vs smart cities. Identify key challenges for municipalities in developing smart cities and illustrate how some cities are already solving those obstacles.

Persons: Jonathan Camhi Organizations: Intelligence, Machine Research, Research, Business, BI Intelligence Locations: Barcelona

☆ Netflix ratings reflect an effective original content strategy
▼ + stars: | 2016-04-09 | by ( Robert Elder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Netflix's original series receive higher ratings than other Netflix content, suggesting that the streaming service's focus on original content is satisfying its subscribers, according to AllFlicks data shared with Business Insider. This suggests that Netflix's push to focus on original content is working — a strategy that other streaming services should bear in mind. The Netflix logo is is shown on an ipad in Encinitas, California Thomson ReutersAccording to the data, Netflix's original content rates 11% higher than its licensed content. Nevertheless, the higher ratings attributed to original content can serve as an important pointer for both Netflix and competing streaming services. In this regard, the relatively high ratings of Netflix's original content vindicate the company's investments in original content — at least from a user satisfaction perspective — even if this investment has occurred at the expense of Netflix's overall catalog size.

Persons: Margaret Boland Organizations: Intelligence, Digital Media Industry, Netflix, Business, California Thomson, Hulu, Insider Intelligence, Amazon, Showtime, Amazon Prime, HBO Locations: Encinitas, California, SVOD

☆ Returning customers are far more valuable to online retailers than new customers
▼ + stars: | 2016-03-30 | by ( Andrew Meola | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

New customers are certainly important to retailers, but returning customers should mean more. A new report from Monetate reveals that the value of returning customers is greater across numerous product categories, and that value continues to grow every year. Those shoppers leave 34.8% of the time compared to 24.4% for returning shoppers, though that number is up from 23.1% in the year-ago period. So returning customers are clearly important, but longevity is also crucial. Breaks down online spending habits of millennials and teens, including the brands and products they shop for.

Persons: Cooper Smith, Gen X Organizations: Commerce, RJ, Insider Intelligence, Business, eBay Locations: U.S, Greenfield

☆ E-Commerce retailers are losing their customers because of this one critical mistake
▼ + stars: | 2016-03-16 | by ( Andrew Meola | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

E-commerce retailers are losing potential customers at one critical juncture. This shows that e-commerce retailers are coming up short with regard to the checkout process. Technology that helps retailers collect and leverage online shopping cart data is likely to be a worthwhile investment. Proposes a list of solutions that are proven to reduce shopping cart abandonment for online retailers. Forecasts where this trend is going and how shopping cart abandonment will affect retailers — bricks-and-mortars and e-commerce companies alike — in the future.

Persons: Cooper Smith, they've Organizations: Commerce, Business, Insider Intelligence, BI Intelligence, Technology Locations: U.S, SeeWhy

☆ LinkedIn May Not Be The Coolest Social Network, But It's Only Becoming More Valuable To Businesses
▼ + stars: | 2014-07-23 | by ( Cooper Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

LinkedIn has developed a special identity — and utility — as the social network for professionals. BI IntelligenceEngagement is rising fast on LinkedIn, as the social network becomes a content destination. The social network is also high-income and highly educated, and it has a big international presence. Already, a survey from Cogent Research finds that LinkedIn is the preferred social network by a wide margin for building a brand identity. The report also spotlights the opportunities that lie ahead for each social network, and how social media usage compares between the U.S. and international markets.

Persons: Y Combinator, Gerry Tan Organizations: LinkedIn, Business, Insider Intelligence, U.S, Facebook, Twitter

Search resuls for: "inboxes"

25 mentions found