April 13, 2020

Expecting the Unexpected: What We Can Learn From a Crisis

Business Continuity Plan

Any business leader worthy of the title knows surviving a crisis depends on having an emergency plan in case of disaster. That said, the COVID-19 pandemic in which we’re currently stuck is an unprecedented situation. I’m looking around today as many business leaders discover their definition of “disaster” wasn’t nearly broad enough. It’s not that these companies had no strategies …

Continue reading
March 19, 2020

The COVID-19 Crisis Puts Things in Perspective

COVID-19 Coronavirus

Like most of you, I’ve received multiple emails over the last few days from companies I do business with. From global corporations to local produce shops, everyone wishes to keep us informed of what they’re doing to protect employees and customers in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. My company sent a very similar message to our own clients and …

Continue reading
March 9, 2020

The Future of Friction is Dynamic

Dynamic Friction

I see more and more eCommerce merchants struggle these days to maintain the right balance between effective fraud mitigation and an optimized customer experience. The motto of our age might as well be “I want what I want, and I want it now.” Unfortunately, the need to make online transactions as smooth and effortless as possible often clashes with merchants’ …

Continue reading
February 12, 2020

How Will Visa’s New Fee Structure Affect Merchants?

Visa Fee Increases

According to documentation the company presented to banks this week, Visa is planning to restructure the rates US merchants pay to accept its cards. The largest such change in over 10 years, the move is part of an overall push to convert more check-writing consumers into payment card users.

Continue reading
January 23, 2020

Why Is Google Cutting Chrome Support for Tracking Cookies?

Google magnifying glass

Following on an announcement last August, a Google blog post released earlier this month elaborated on the company’s plan to limit insecure cross-site tracking. As they explain, they will soon begin “treating cookies that don’t include a SameSite label as first-party only, and requiring cookies labeled for third-party use to be accessed over HTTPS.”

Continue reading
January 7, 2020

Technology, Responsibility, and the Coming Decade

Technology evolution

The start of a new year—and a new decade—is always a good time to stop and gain one’s bearings. Whether I look forward or backward over a ten-year span, what I see most are changes. Specifically, I see technology rapidly altering the way we live.

Continue reading
December 19, 2019

What Retailers Can Learn from AM Radio

AM Radio

According to the informative article I just read, AM radio is dead. The author very clearly stated that the “distracting, degraded, static-y AM” radio system had long outlived its usefulness and that the FCC should intervene and put the obsolete format out to pasture.

Continue reading
November 15, 2019

The Future of Brick-and-Mortar Stores Is Not What You Think

Future of Digital Shopping

Despite a roller-coaster run on Wall Street, the back-and-forth with China on tariffs, and even a late Thanksgiving, overall spending this holiday season is expected to reach new milestones. In fact, forecasters are suggesting this may be the first time the US crosses the $1 trillion mark for the season. Even the most conservative predictions call for a 3-4% (YoY) …

Continue reading
October 9, 2019

Prepping Your Business for Whatever Comes Next

What Comes Next

It sometimes seems like the state of our economy at any given time totally depends on who you talk to. One source will cite slow upticks in consumer confidence, another will talk about the elusive coming recession, almost as if trying to will it into existence. Politically motivated speakers will boast about thriving markets when trying to get reelected…or spout …

Continue reading
September 24, 2019

How Buyer’s Remorse Is Causing Merchant Headaches

eCommerce Buyer's Remorse

Here’s a scenario: a man—let’s call him Ted—has been researching high-end driving irons for months. He knows what he wants, and he finally finds one at an online sporting goods store for just under $250. He even pays extra for two-day delivery. By the weekend he’s holding it in his hands, taking practice swings on his patio, and feeling a …

Continue reading