The Consumerization of IT: Driving a Bet...

The list of technologies that information workers are embracing grows longer day by day. Smart phones and tablets have become common at the workplace, as have use of cloud and software-as-a-service applications like Google Apps, Dropbox and social media sites. As more companies deploy a “bring your own device” policy, these technologies are, more often than not, integrated into the work environment by the employee — rather than the IT department. The BYOD phenomenon has brought with it both advantages and headaches (as my own IT department will tell you). With it, we...

Mobile Payments: Consumer Adoption and A...

More than half of American cell phone users now have smartphones (per Pew Research Center, via The Verge). Though most people are aware that they can use their phones to make a payment, board a plane or gain admission to a movie, it’s clear that we have a long way to go toward true consumer understanding and acceptance of Mobile Payments. It will take more education, a shift in consumer behavior, and a common infrastructure for mobile payments before the concept is universally accepted. The Mobile Wallet Today only one-quarter of Americans are comfortable using a mobile...

Removing the Frustration from Online Tra...

Show me a person who has quickly and easily booked a vacation or business trip online and I will show you one unique individual. The striking reality today is that the online travel industry as a whole is lacking in innovation. Although the internet brings together ever-increasing options for creating travel plans, this abundance of choice has come without any efficient way to make sense of the information. As a result, consumers spend time and energy searching dozens of websites to plan, book and collaborate on travel, with each website knowing nearly nothing about the...

Effective Loyalty Marketing Programs: Ho...

Loyalty marketing needs to grow up. It is still in its infancy, causing a great deal of frustration amongst both Brand marketers and consumers. Marketers have high aspirations to get customers to engage with their Brand and ultimately transform them into brand advocates. Consumer expectations have been raised by new technologies and by the hundreds of loyalty programs competing for their attention. They want brands to rise above the noise and truly earn their attention. Satisfying the needs of both Brand and consumer, as recently highlighted by Forrester Research, is a...

Analysis of Ten Years of Data Predicts L...

Analytics is central to how successful e-commerce companies analyze and make personalized recommendations for customers. At Rearden Commerce, our Deem platform relies heavily on analytics to match customers with hotels they’ll like, flights that meet their specified needs, and even relevant discounted offers for products and services in any location where they may be. As an example, one of the most important pieces of information we account for is on-time performance for flights.  Accost a random traveler from the business rank and file and ask him how he avoids...