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What is this new mysterious world of No/Low Code Software?

What is this new mysterious world of No/Low Code Software?

Is this you … “I keep hearing this term no code/low code software but what does it all really mean?”

Derek Findlayson (Intelihub Consulting LTD)

If it is, “your not alone” so let me try & help demystify what it’s all about …

Gartner defines a low-code application platform (LCAP) as”

“an application platform that supports rapid application development, one-step deployment, execution and management using declarative, high-level programming abstractions, such as model-driven and metadata-based programming languages.”

In other words, put more simply … & in language we can all understand no/low code software enables you to:

  • Anticipate & react to technology change more quickly.
  • Avoid
    1. Long development queues & build & deploy products & services much quicker.
    2. The “instant” Legacy Technology trap …
  • Take control of:
    1. Digital Transformation Eco System
    2. Configuring & testing.
    3. Your Pricing & Rating Engine
  • Constantly be on the latest technology version
  • Gear your business up to respond to spiralling Consumer Expectations
  • Free up your IT resources to Innovate
  • Significantly reduce your IT Training costs & Deployment times

What does this mean for your business teams …

Most importantly, once in the hands of your business, no-code technology allows your team to adapt, configure, add to and deploy their own builds without needing to know a single line of code. They build the processes they dream of at their desktop.

“PUTTING YOU & YOUR BUSINESS TEAMS IN CONTROL”

Let me expand upon this, & “bring it to life” in a bit more detail …

Cutting cost, hassle and delay for Customers

CategoryDescription
React QuicklyNo-Code enables insurers, Brokers, MGA’s, & Scheme Specialists (or for that matter any business) to react quickly, and even anticipate, change. Change that is often thrust on them and from which they cannot avoid e.g. Travel cancellation claim surge as lockdown hit, business interruption claims spiralling from three a day to hundreds and thousands.
Rapid Build & DeploymentNo-Code solves business problems and allows insurers to move quickly and up clock speed. No-code allows very rapid build and deployment of POCs because there are no IT development queues or costs to hold them back.
Puts you more in controlCustomers can chose a time of their choosing to replace parts or eventually all of these systems and still deliver transformation, innovation and an iterative approach to constant improvement.
Easy Configuration & TestingPractitioners within the business can easily map and configure what they want to test and bring it to life within weeks rather than months. Amendments along the way can then be made and deployed in hours to improve performance. Joining the back of the IT priority queue becomes a thing of the past.
Your Operational teams control your Pricing & Rating EngineIn practical terms, it means that things like amending your pricing on your rating engine is under the control of your operational teams, removing the reliance on your IT teams. This for me is key …
Step away from Instant LegacyNo-Code answers the inherent weakness of current core systems- legacy code. The moment you introduce scripting and coding you introduce legacy. And that means more and more effort has to go into just maintaining core systems rather than improving them. Wasted effort, time, resources and money.
Easily Maintained & UpgradedNo-Code platforms are constantly maintained and upgraded with every customer always on the latest version meaning that NO LEGACY is being generated.
“Wrap around” API ArchitectureThe last thing some customers want to do is throw away core systems which still stand on the balance sheet. No-Code platforms come with the API architecture to integrate with core systems and, in effect, wrap around them to deliver digital transformation of policy admin, end-to-end claims management , payments and so on.
“Frees up your IT Resources for Innovation”IT central services teams Central IT gain as much as line of business leaders. As custodians of the IT estate they can ensure any No-Code software meets the compliance, security, scalability and performance needs of the enterprise and know No-Code frees up IT resources for other innovation projects they can rarely get around to.
Respond to Spiraling Consumer ExpectationsThe real impetus to change and No-Code is the consumer. They/we have tasted managing their lives, services, buying, lifestyles and businesses from their phone. Businesses have to digitally transform across all products and parts of the business.
Lower Training & Adoption Costs & Faster Deployment TimelinesTypically training & adoption is far quicker, & as a result less expensive. This is helped by all innovation, customisation, iteration being managed by these trained users in native language. No coding of course.
Integration FlowsYou can develop powerful and complex integration flows relatively quickly through these tools.
Mobile application developmentMost low-code/no-code platforms, provide responsive UI capabilities for mobile applications.
Others offer native support for the leading mobile operations systems (iOS and Android).
CategoryDescription

“Helping you make that transformation to building your own Digital Eco-System”

Like any technologies there are pro’s & con’s. Generally on emerging low code/no code solutions the pro’s far out weigh the con’s, but here are some of the more critical challenges for low-code/no-code to be aware of & to factor into your thinking:

Anticipating & preparing for Potential Challenges

NoCategoryPotential Challenges to think about
1It involves a culture change: Low-code/no-code requires a change in an organisations culture whether that organization be an enterprises or a startup.
Changing the culture to obliterate silos is not easy. It requires executive vision and endorsement. It also requires the allocation of budget and empowerment to a low-code/no-code digital transformation competency center.
2It takes time and effort to learn the platformsLow-code/no-code increases speed and productivity. But it is not easy. The tools and platforms are not trivial, and developing a level of expertise takes time.
3You may need multiple platforms: Some platforms are more complete than others. Unqork and Bubble, for example, are designed to be used across any use case and so offer many options for integration with enterprise systems. However, they can benefit greatly from other components that specialize in specific areas; for instance, Bubble together with, say, Parabola or the Zapier plugin for automated integration. The data manipulation and integration capabilities in Parabola or Zapier are easier to work with than the native ones in Bubble. There are other plugins or technology components that complement low code/no code platforms with additional technologies: Check out, for instance, the technology partnerships for Unqork or the comprehensive list of plugins for Bubble.
NoCategoryPotential Challenges to think about

“Preparing your business to Win in an increasingly Digitalised World”

I hope this article has helped you understand in a bit more detail the rapidly emerging world of no/low code software, & perhaps more importantly the positive impact it can have on your business & customer proposition.

We know from experience that the world of business transformation & technology change can be a daunting one for some businesses, however if you need help & support in navigating this path, we would be delighted to help guide & advise you.

Feel free to reach out to us, for an exploratory conversion by contacting us on the details below.

Demystifying the transition from a single software solution to a Digital Ecosystem

Demystifying the transition from a single software solution to a Digital Ecosystem

In a world where the pace of “Digital change” is exponentially increasing, it can be really hard for businesses to know how them transition from what they’ve only known to something new & different.

Why is that?

Well think of it this way:

  • Historically businesses have gone to one software provider for all of their needs. Why?
    • Because it was convenient
    • Because there was limited choice
    • Because they didnt know where to turn

Flip forward to today, & the world has radically changed forever.

 In what ways?

  •  Suppliers are many & varied
  • New entrants are disrupting markets
  • Data accessibility & transparency is opening up new opportunities
  • Timelines to transition to newer, better, more nimble technologies are dramatically reducing

So if there’s more choice, why is it that some businesses struggle to make this change?

Well there are a number of potential reasons which hold them back:

Firstly, change & business transformation can be hard for any business if you don’t know:

  • Where to start?
  • What great looks like?

Secondly, most businesses thinking is governed by what they experience within their Industry or Sector (Vertical Market)

Those that introduce meaningful & radical change:oExpand their thinking outside of their Industry or Sector

  • Explore what great looks like in other markets
  • Open their minds to what a world class digital Eco-System could look like

Often the hardest bit is getting started on what the art of the possible is.

Through intelligent use of API’s, integration of “best in class” Digital components, mean that you can now “switch in” & “switch out” the latest best in class technologies into your own customised Digital Eco-System.

Those that have already started to do this, are unlocking significant value.

If this feels like something you are ready to explore, we are help to help you:

  • Push your thinking
  • Explain what great could look like
  • Help you manage that transition

Author: Derek Findlayson

Digital Transformation is what I need … but … where do I start?

Digital Transformation is what I need … but … where do I start?

The most common thing I hear is “I’m tired with my existing technology solutions, they no longer deliver the tools I need to grow my business, but I don’t know where to start in changing things”? Well, if this is you, firstly you’re not alone. Lot’s of businesses find “change” never mind “digital transformational change” challenging at best, & petrifying at worst.

Getting the right Support & Advice

The best businesses, & the right solutions providers, will support you in helping you “join up the dots”. What I mean by that is that there’s no point in investing in technology if it doesn’t support:
  • Your Vision & ambitions for your Business.
  • Delivery of your Strategic Goals & Key Performance Indicator Metrics (KPII’s).
  • Your desired Culture, Customer & People Experience.
  • Helping you make your business more efficient.
so technology alone is not the answer. Whatever you choose as your “go forward solution” needs to align to, support, & drive each of the above, otherwise “why do it”!.

“Helping you through the treacle”

The day’s of going to one supplier for every single element of your technology stack & solutions, is rapidly coming to an end. Nowadays, there is significant choice out there, & what might be the right solution, for one part of your business, may not be the best solution for another part of your business. So, against this background, designing your “technology eco system” to best suit your business needs & ambitions has moved from a ‘nice to have” to a “business necessity”. The “winners in the market” are increasingly identifying a range of complimentary technology components which:
  1. Are relevant to each segment of their business.
  2. Are a blend of “best in class” modular components.
  3. Simplify & enhance their customer experience.
  4. Pull together Sales, Marketing, & Customer Service.
  5. Integrate their front & back office technologies.
  6. Elevate both their use of Data, & Data insight & intelligence to a new level

Winning through Digital Transformation

We are fortunate enough to work with, & across, the Distribution landscape, from Brokers, to Schemes Specialists, to MGA’s, to Insurers, to Software houses, to Data Enrichment providers, so we have a unique view of the market, & what the best performing businesses are doing both right, & differently. Those that are “ahead of the curve” in their Digital adoption, are consistently:
  1. Delivering Faster targeted growth.
  2. Achieving new “previously unheard of” Cross & Upsales ratio’s (average number of products/services per customer.
  3. Delivering stronger Customer & People advocacy scores.
  4. Building a culture of continuous improvement.
  5. Enhancing their bottom line profit at a different trajectory.
Whilst for some, change can be daunting, done in the right way, it can transform your business to the next levels. If this is you, & you require support or guidance in how you might go about this in your business, were here to help. Author Derek Findlayson
The Digital Dilemma: “Twist or Stick” … “the winners are increasingly twisting!!”

The Digital Dilemma: “Twist or Stick” … “the winners are increasingly twisting!!”

When it comes to Digitalising your business we are often asked 3 “Key” questions:

  1. “Where do I start?”
  2. “How do I navigate my way through this myriad of change?
  3. “Is the pain worth the gain?”

“Where do I start?”

The businesses that start with a mindset of seeing data as an asset invariably accelerate their Digital progression faster & deliver stronger results.

Woman sketching a business plan on a placard at a creative office

It’s common sense really, structuring your data in a meaningful way is a “cornerstone” to any digital strategy. In fact I’d go further it’s a key component of what sets customer focused businesses apart from the rest. Get it right & you lay the foundations for using your data & business intelligence insight smartly with both your current & prospective customers. Skip this step & you’re setting your self up for failure & disappointment.

“How do I navigate my way through this myriad of change?

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, but the transition really isn’t as difficult as you image, particularly if your a business that has Customer & Staff advocacy at the heart go your business values.

Our role is to help you set out a clear path so that the change is:

  • Built on strong foundations
  • Manageable
  • Controlled & phased
  • Focused on the priorities
  • Embedded into your business

For some business starting this journey is intimidating, but typically once you have a clear framework around how you are going to go about this, it becomes:

  • Exciting
  • Cultural
  • Progressive
  • Energising

Is the pain worth the gain?”

For those that get it right, unquestionably “yes”. Whilst digitalising your business is “not for the faint hearted”, the benefits once you’ve started on that journey far outweigh the costs involved (time, energy, & financial).

Shot of a group of businesspeople arranging sticky notes on a glass wall in a modern office

Businesses that have a clear Digital Strategy & transformation plan in place:

  • Tend to attract higher acquisition multiples
  • Attract in investments
  • Think about how they can use & access their Data as a real asset
  • Focus more on how they can enhance their customer journey
  • Attract in Talent
  • Attract Customers
  • Typically enhance their customer loyalty
  • Are best placed to use predictive analytics to win
  • Gear themselves up to improve their efficiency
  • Customer experience driven businesses tend to see better returns on investments & outperform others across a whole variety of Customer metrics including higher average order value, & improved acquisition & retention.
  • A growing % of customers (particualrly in the 18 to 34 age bracket) are prepared to share their data in return for personalised experiences.
  • Members of loyalty programmes generate up to 18% more revenue than non members.
  • Customers who have high quality experiences are 2.7 times more likely to keep buying from a brand than customers who have low quality experiences.
  • Customers who have better historical experiences with transactional brands spend 140% more compared to customers who had bad past experiences.

Customer expectations continue to evolve & being able to access information & engage through their preferred “medium” is central to winning in an increasingly “Digitalised world”.

Author Derek Findlayson

A common dilemma or misconception – Do I Invest in Digital or do I Invest in People?

A common dilemma or misconception – Do I Invest in Digital or do I Invest in People?

I’m often asked what is the right strategy for my business? Invest in digital or invest in people.

My response is simple, you’ve got to invest in both, but in a complimentary way.

In my experience, those businesses that are thriving in the rapidly evolving digital world blend the speed, ease of access, convenience & efficiency of digital services with the authenticity, experience, & expertise of talented empowered people. It’s about getting the mix & balance right.

If I think about how my children, who have grown up in an increasingly digitalised world, like to access products & services, they look for:

  • Ease of Access
  • The speed and convenience of digital services, particularly for straightforward administrative tasks,
  • Supported by ease of access to talented people when they are looking for specific advice & guidance.

A selection of staff in some of my clients gave an interesting alternative perspective on the “dilemma”. Whilst some saw the advent of digital as a potential threat to their futures, the majority, saw it as an opportunity to:

  • Strip out some of the inefficient, duplicated, & mundane processes they have historically had to  do day in day out.
  • Deliver a better, faster, & higher quality service to their clients
  • Focus their skills on the areas where they can really add the most value to their customers
  • Contribute positively to the culture that attracts high quality talent into the business.

As someone who is passionate about:

  • Talent development
  • Creating the culture to grow your people
  • Building an exceptional customer experience
  • Using Technology & Data as an intelligent Business enabler

it feels to me that those business that blend their digital & people strategies in a well thought through complimentary way are the most likely to:

  • Grow their businesses faster & more profitability than the rest
  • Create an environment that attracts in the best & most dynamic talent
  • Stimulate a continuous improvement culture that uses technology & people expertise in the right proportions & in the most effective areas
  • Deliver a dynamic & engaging customer experience

Author Derek Findlayson

 

 

 

What does it take to win & succeed in a rapidly changing Digital world?

What does it take to win & succeed in a rapidly changing Digital world?

Why is it some businesses see Technology as a real barrier to growth in their business & other’s see it as the platform to push forward at a different trajectory & win market share?

Well if there was an easy answer everyone would be doing it, but here’s a few pointers we see day in day out from working with some of the fastest growing & most successful business in the market:

What are some of the things the Winners do differently

  • Structure – Invest in shaping & structuring their Data in a way which enables them to use it proactively as a valuable asset.
  • Enrichment – Actively enrich their data with relevant 3rd party Data to elevate their insight to the next level.
  • Segmentation – Segment their Customer data to target & personalise any marketing, communication, or cross & upscales activity.
  • Alignment – Match their data to relevant stages of their Customer Journey
  • Analysis – Analyse & interrogate their data to identify relevant patterns & insight
  • Elevate – Use Machine Learning & artificial Intelligence at appropriate stages of the Customer journey to optimise their proposition & success
  • Intelligent & Relevant Cross & Up Sales – Use their Data Intelligently to cross & up sell relevant products & services to their clients at the most appropriate stage of the customer journey.

Getting the most out of your Technology, Data, Customer knowledge, & Insight is increasingly setting the Winners apart from the rest.

Talk to us if you are interested in knowing more about our approach to helping businesses enhance their use & understanding of Technology, MI, Data, & Customer Insight.

Author Derek Findlayson