SMEs and why banks have to get up to speed

Not so long ago, SME banking revolved around basic transactions and loans, with relationships typically forged through personal meetings at the bank.

Now, many SME customers use smart phones or a personal computer to interact with the bank, while at the same time SME banking has grown in complexity, with customers moving away from "plain vanilla" banking in favour of more bespoke and innovative solutions.

In the past few years, digitisation has had a profound impact on how SMEs do business. Mobile technology, in particular, is transforming the way they source, produce, market and sell their products. The pace of change is also accelerating, with mobile phones widely predicted to become the preferred consumer payment device within just a few years.

Not surprisingly, all of this has changed what SMEs need from their financial-service providers. With the branch no longer the fulcrum of relationships, banks must find a way to reconnect with SMEs in the digital space. Despite impressive digital strategies and the launch of multiple new channels, however, many banks have yet to figure out how best to do this.

First, they should see digitisation as a great opportunity to reconnect with their SME customers. By investing time in understanding the digital agenda of SMEs, and developing a differentiated digital proposition, banks have the chance to recast themselves in a new role as digital partners to small businesses.

SMEs themselves have not changed. They are still on the constant lookout for ways to run their businesses faster, better and more cheaply. They still need banks to support them as they grow and expand. Digitisation merely offers a whole new set of options for achieving this and allowing customers to do their banking and to access critical information while they are on the move.

SMEs - perhaps more than any customer group - are embracing digital solutions at speed, with digital now widely predicted to become the main customer-relationship channel for such businesses in the next couple of years. To a large extent, this is being fuelled by the rapid advance of smart phones and tablets globally. In 2011, the sale of smart phones surpassed that of PCs for the first time. And by 2015, according to Gartner, a US-based information-technology research and advisory firm, tablets sold are expected to equal sales of PCs.

Driven by customer demand and the ongoing search for greater cost efficiency, many SMEs are embracing e-invoicing or mobile payment solutions to allow their customers to make purchases on the go. You only have to look at the fast adoption of mobile payments tools such as Square and iZettle to see that this is an area of priority for SMEs.

Banks should focus on developing a strong mobile banking proposition for businesses,Full color plastic card printing and manufacturing services.Our precision manufactured lasers and laser systems deliver the highest possible laser cutter performance on a wide variety of materials. allowing busy SME owners to manage their banking needs from a smart phone or tablet, so that they can concentrate on running their business. Virtual advisers can be useful,Learn how an embedded microprocessor in a smart card can authenticate your computer usage and data. reinforcing the relationship aspect of banking, while empowering SME customers to self-serve and bring down costs.We've had a lot of people asking where we had our make your own bobblehead.

Banks can also develop mobile and Internet services that would help SMEs tap into new revenue streams and markets, and also to access relevant information beyond traditional banking services. By extending their online platforms, for example,How cheaply can I build a solar power systems? banks could help create virtual communities that allow SMEs to network or promote their products and find new customers or suppliers.

Most important of all, while pursuing their digital strategies, banks should not lose sight of the basics. Like all other customers, SMEs expect a seamless banking experience. They want banking to be as simple, fast, cost-efficient and convenient as it can be.

For all the investment in new digital channels and solutions, banks should continue to focus on this fundamental need. This means fully integrating all channels. It means having a comprehensive and user-friendly website, and it means helping customers save time and money on basic tasks, such as opening a new account, applying for a company debit or credit card, or looking through past transactions.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are a core client group for banks, as they have always been. Prosperous economies depend on SMEs to drive growth and employment, and SMEs depend on long-term support from banks. Getting digital banking right for SMEs, and reinventing SME banking relationships for the digital age, should therefore be an urgent priority across the industry.

Orr, bosses disagreed on airport

The push to seize Charlotte Douglas International Airport from decades of city control and hand it to a state-appointed authority has gone from idle chatter to the brink of reality in a matter of weeks.

How could one of the city’s crown jewels, a successful multi-million dollar operation, be transferred to new ownership in less than a month?

The answer is complicated, but one reason cited by city and airport sources involves years of behind-the-scenes tension over airport management.

At the center of the controversy is 71-year-old aviation director Jerry Orr, who has bristled at city control of the airport.

Documents obtained by The Observer show that the conflict between Orr and his bosses came to a head in 2010. The documents outline an Internal Revenue Service audit and a later city report that found the airport violated federal tax law as it allocated millions of dollars in bond money to pay for airport improvements.

In April, 2011, the city placed stricter financial controls on the airport, removing some of the autonomy that Orr had enjoyed.

The city’s finance director, Greg Gaskins, said that the problem – stemming from more than $150 million in bonds from 2004 – was only an accounting issue. After the city review, the IRS decided not to fine the city and didn’t remove tax-exempt status from the bonds.

But several city officials told the Observer that then-City Manager Curt Walton believed the problem was serious. They said that Walton had considered disciplining Orr.

The officials asked not to be named because Orr’s relationship with Walton could be considered a personnel issue, which is private under state law.

After the Democratic National Convention last September, relations between the city and Orr became more strained. In November, the city transferred control of airport police from Orr to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

That followed a highly publicized incident in November 2010 where a Mecklenburg teenager, Devonte Tisdale, is believed by law enforcement to have breached Charlotte Douglas security and stowed away in the wheel well of a jet. His body was found near Logan airport in Boston, where police believe it fell from a Boeing 737 as it prepared to land.

After the incident, Orr said he didn’t think security changes were needed. But Walton asked Charlotte police to investigate. In 2011,Comprehensive Wi-Fi and RFID tag by Aeroscout to accurately locate and track any asset or person. the CMPD investigation determined that the airport needed more people working security. It also said that perimeter fencing should be improved.

Bill Brawley and Sen. Bob Rucho,Wear a whimsical Disney ear cap straight from the Disney Theme Parks! both Matthews Republicans, are leading an effort to create an independent Charlotte Regional Airport Authority that would oversee the airport. Rucho introduced a bill last week that would create an 11-member board with a majority of members appointed by surrounding counties and state politicians.

If the airport were to move to an independent authority, its finances would be removed from city oversight and approval. The board would oversee the airport’s finances,We've got a plastic card to suit you. including the issuance of bonds.

Supporters of a more independent airport, such as Airport Advisory Committee member Ed McMahan, have told the Observer they became concerned by what they see as efforts for the city to exercise more control.

A Charlotte Douglas airport deputy director made a recent fact-finding trip to Asheville, where control of the airport was shifted from the city to an authority.

Orr said that he couldn’t comment on whether the 2010 bond review or the ensuing stricter financial controls are linked to the push for an authority.

“I’m not the one pushing the airport authority, so I really can’t answer that,The USB flash drives wholesale is our flagship product.” he said.

But earlier in January, before the authority bill was introduced at the General Assembly, Orr said in interviews that the airport would benefit from being run by an authority. He reiterated his position that the airport needs to function like a business, not as a city department.Application can be conducted with the local designated IC card producers.

Wounded 75th Ranger to Receive Medal Of Honor

An Army Ranger who lost his right hand and suffered shrapnel wounds after throwing an armed grenade away from his fellow Soldiers will be the second living Medal of Honor Recipient from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On July 12th, President Barack Obama will award Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. Petry will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Paktya, Afghanistan, May 26, 2008.

Petry now serves as part of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.

"It's very humbling to know that the guys thought that much of me and my actions that day, to nominate me for that," said Petry, on learning he had been nominated for the medal.

At the time of his actions in Afghanistan, Petry was assigned to Company A, 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Petry's actions came as part of a rare daylight raid to capture a high-value target.

On the day of the actions that would earn Petry the Medal of Honor, he was to locate himself with the platoon headquarters in the target building once it was secured. Once there, he was to serve as the senior noncommissioned officer at the site for the remainder of the operation.

Recognizing one of the assault squads needed assistance clearing their assigned building, Petry relayed to the platoon leader that he was moving to that squad to provide additional supervision and guidance during the clearance of the building.

Once the residential portion of the building had been cleared, Petry took a fellow member of the assault squad, Pvt. 1st Class Lucas Robinson, to clear the outer courtyard. Petry knew that area had not been cleared during the initial clearance.uy sculpture direct from us at low prices

Petry and Robinson, both Rangers, moved into an area of the compound that contained at least three enemy fighters who were prepared to engage friendly forces from opposite ends of the outer courtyard.

The two Soldiers entered the courtyard. To their front was an opening followed by a chicken coop. As the two crossed the open area, an enemy insurgent fired on them. Petry was wounded by one round, which went through both of his legs. Robinson was also hit in his side plate by a separate round.

While wounded and under enemy fire, Petry led Robinson to the cover of the chicken coop. The enemy continued to deliver fire at the two Soldiers.

As the senior Soldier, Petry assessed the situation and reported that contact was made and that there were two wounded Rangers in the courtyard of the primary target building.

Upon hearing the report of two wounded Rangers, Sgt. Daniel Higgins,Free DIY Wholesale pet supplies Resource! a team leader, moved to the outer courtyard. As Higgins was moving to Petry and Robinson's position, Petry threw a thermobaric grenade in the vicinity of the enemy position.

Shortly after that grenade exploded -- which created a lull in the enemy fire -- Higgins arrived at the chicken coop and assessed the wounds of the two Soldiers.

While Higgins evaluated their wounds, an insurgent threw a grenade over the chicken coop at the three Rangers.The Leading zentai suits Distributor to Independent Pet Retailers. The grenade landed about 10 meters from the three Rangers, knocked them to the ground, and wounded Higgins and Robinson. Shortly after the grenade exploded, Staff Sgt. James Roberts and Spc. Christopher Gathercole entered the courtyard, and moved toward the chicken coop.

With three Soldiers taking cover in the chicken coop, an enemy fighter threw another grenade at them. This time, the grenade landed just a few feet from Higgins and Robinson.

Recognizing the threat that the enemy grenade posed to his fellow Rangers, Petry -- despite his own wounds and with complete disregard for his personal safety -- consciously and deliberately risked his life to move to and secure the live enemy grenade and consciously throw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers, according to battlefield reports.

As Petry released the grenade in the direction of the enemy, preventing the serious injury or death of Higgins and Robinson, it detonated and catastrophically amputated his right hand.

With a clear mind, Petry assessed his wound and placed a tourniquet on his right arm. Once this was complete, he reported that he was still in contact with the enemy and that he had been wounded again.

After the blast that amputated Petry's hand, Roberts began to engage the enemy behind the chicken coop with small arms fire and a grenade. His actions suppressed the insurgents behind the chicken coop. Shortly after, another enemy on the east end of the courtyard began firing, fatally wounding Gathercole.In addition to hydraulics fittings and Aion Kinah,

Higgins and Robinson returned fire and killed the enemy.

Moments later, Sgt. 1st Class Jerod Staidle, the platoon sergeant, and Spc. Gary Depriest, the platoon medic, arrived in the outer courtyard. After directing Depriest to treat Gathercole, Staidle moved to Petry' s position. Staidle and Higgins then assisted Petry as he moved to the casualty collection point.

Higgins later wrote in a statement, "if not for Staff Sergeant Petry's actions, we would have been seriously wounded or killed."

Petry is the ninth servicemember to have been named a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of prior recipients, all but Petry and Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta were awarded the honor posthumously.

Included among those recipients are Spc. Ross A. McGinnis, Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, and Marine Corps Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, all for actions in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta,Complete Your honeycomb panels Magazine Collection for Less! Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti and Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan.

Petry currently serves as a liaison officer for the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition-Northwest Region, and provides oversight to wounded warriors, ill and injured servicemembers and their families.

He enlisted in the United States Army from his hometown of Santa Fe, N.M. in September 1999. After completion of One Station Unit Training, the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program -- all at Fort Benning, Ga. -- Petry was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Petry has served as a grenadier, squad automatic rifleman, fire team leader, squad leader, operations sergeant, and weapons squad leader.

He has deployed eight times in support of the War on Terror with two tours to Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan.

Petry and his wife Ashley have four children, Brittany, Austin, Reagan and Landon.