Host a Market Research Round-table at Prepaid Expo

We are inviting companies to spotlight their market research (market sizing, consumer trends, etc., which they have either commissioned or conducted internally, at a research round-table during Prepaid Expo USA 2012, taking place on March 12-14, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The round-table approach allows a broader scope of insights than having a single research company or analyst firm present their findings to the Prepaid Expo audience. This can be a great opportunity to package data “left on the cutting room floor” from a related study or to drive interest to a larger report by releasing a subset of your data.

There will not be formal presentations, however companies are welcome to present/distribute information as they like. The roundtables will be taking place simultaneously, so attendees can visit the tables most applicable to their interests.

To be considered to host a round-table:

Submit research topic and scope of data you anticipate disclosing, and when this data is to be released (if applicable).

Up to 2 roundtable hosts per company can attend.
Submissions are requested by August 25.

Please send your submissions to Hollie Goldman, Prepaid Expo Director, hgoldman@iirusa.com.

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Social Media Critical to Growth of Prepaid

In an age where 93% of all business marketing participates in social media and even brokers at financial firms are now harnessing the power and reach of social media for research, client communication, and to attract potential clients and prospects, it seems that social media is critical to the growth of Prepaid as well.

While compliance guidelines and regulations continue to worry many in the Prepaid industry, they are not alone. If you speak to any social media thought leader, they will tell you that many corporations face challenges in using social media, both externally and internally. However, it is possible to walk that fine line since social media isn't going away. And when you look at its merit and power to reach and educate clients and consumers far and wide, especially the underbanked, the more it seems like a winning situation.

Just look at these 2011 social media stats released last week:



Here is where we look at whose IS doing social media well. Innovation and progress rarely happen in a vacuum. Sometimes it's as simple as looking at leading experts outside of your industry for inspiration and ideas or perhaps even sitting down together for a business strategy discussion.

Prepaid Expo recognizes the challenges facing prepaid professionals and strives to meet those needs. In an effort to learn from those who have survived the challenges presented by a maturing industry and inspire the seasoned prepaid executives, Prepaid Expo is looking beyond prepaid for inspiration.

First, we will bring the leading experts from Airlines, Pharmaceuticals, Finance, etc., to address the Prepaid Expo audience on how they came out on top when facing similar challenges. Second, we created VIP sessions for each outside expert, giving senior executives the opportunities to get their questions answered by the experts in a private forum like setting.

If you would like a chance to discuss your business needs and challenges with your peers and experts at Prepaid Expo 2012, sign up today and save the date: March 12-14, 2012. We will see you in Las Vegas!

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Live from Prepaid Expo 2011: General Colin Powell

We're in Orlando, blogging directly from Prepaid Expo 2011 and Gen. Colin Powell is on stage delivering his keynote address: Leadership: Taking Charge:

“One day, you’re secretary of staff and one day, you ain’t.” He's just another regular guy now but here is what he's learned about the world, leadership, and business along the way.

He enjoys speaking because he stays in touch with reality the nation is facing by connecting with people outside of DC.

"There is still a confidence in our country. We will come through because of a deep faith in our country, because of who we are."

"Comprise, consensus and keep the country moving forward like our founding fathers did."

He is a VC now. Where is technology taking us he wonders? He does it to keep up with a world that is increasingly digital. In order to keep up with his grandchildren.

“Papi, gotta get you a twitter and a facebook page” [His 16-year old grandson tells him.]

His organic facebook page garnered 30k fans on its own before he was aware it existed.

“Never believe you can’t make it!”

“Don’t miss what it is behind you, always look through the front windshield of life.”

All the barriers that use to keep people separated are now gone.

Every nation touches us, we touch every nation, that is what makes the united states great.

We cannot change who we are. We cannot let terrorists change us.

How do you inspire followers? How do you get people to do what you want them to do?
They need goals and vision.
Something they can believe.
Purpose is even better.

But how can we offer them something purposeful to believe in?

Higher purpose for prepaid? How will you better the lives of those who use your prepaid services?

And: How are you going to take care of your staff?

Believe in another human being: give them what they need to accomplish the job they need to get done.

Selflessness, moral courage, ethics, integrity are what makes great leaders. Troops will follow whole-heartedly.

Commend your staff: tell them they are doing a great job.

You know you are doing a good job, when your team follows you no matter what because they trust you.

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“Progress in Prepaid” Tours India, Country of Contradictions

It’s the world’s second-largest population and 90% don’t have a debit or credit card, so why should U.S. prepaid services proceed with caution?
By Marc Dresner, IIR USA

Tour these great United States and you’re bound to find a few cultural differences at each state line. Take New York and Texas. Heck, they’re practically different countries. And California might as well be another planet.

But for one in search of genuine diversity, my destination of choice would be India.

U.S. prepaid interests appear to share my wanderlust, except not only would they like to visit; many are keen to take up residence.

The attraction is obvious: As the country with the second-largest population in the world, India is not only a rising financial superpower with a growing middle class, but it’s also the world’s largest cash economy.

In fact, according to Naveen Surya, Managing Director of ItzCash Card Ltd. – a multi-purpose prepaid card company based in Mumbai – less than 10% of India’s 1.2 billion residents have a credit or debit card! Cash only, folks. Seems like a prepaid dream!

But before you pack your bags and rush out the door, you’ll need to contend with that diversity aspect I mentioned earlier.

You see, India is also the world’s seventh-largest country, and to illustrate the extent of differences you’ll find from region to region, and state to state, this big boy boasts roughly 29 different languages, with multiple dialects particular to each language.

No single prepaid product solution can possibly accommodate India’s myriad socio-cultural particularities. There’s a massive learning curve, even for native Indians like Surya, who only speaks a “paltry” two of the country’s tongues.

In an interview for our third episode of IIR’s podcast series, “Progress in Prepaid,” Surya takes us on a tour of India from a prepaid perspective.

We’ll explore issuance and infrastructure issues, the regulatory landscape, and opportunities for closed-, semi-closed and open-loop prepaid products in a country of contradictions, where cash is king but mobile penetration is high enough that mobile prepaid could take hold within just three to four years!

To listen to our podcast click here, or to download the transcript, please click here.

Editor’s note:
Want to learn more about prepaid in India? Naveen Surya will be moderating a panel titled “India: Next Growth Destination for the Prepaid Industry," at IIR’s Prepaid Expo USA on March 9 in Orlando as part of a session track devoted to international prepaid markets.

There’s still time to register for the industry’s largest gathering for network-branded prepaid and stored-value decision makers and influencers March 6-9. Visit www.iirusa.com/prepaid for details.

About the Author/Interviewer

Marc Dresner is an IIR USA communication lead with a background in trade journalism and marketing. He is the former executive editor of Research Business Report, a confidential newsletter for the marketing research and consumer insights industry. He may be reached at mdresner@iirusa.com

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