Standard Bank yesterday unveiled an innovation lab, dubbed the PlayRoom, in Rosebank.
The bank says the idea behind the PlayRoom is to unearth disruptive ideas from staff, customers and start-up businesses.
Standard Bank's 1 927 square metre lab enables the company to research and test in a controlled environment, before releasing new solutions to the market. According to Vuyo Mpako, head of innovation and channel design at Standard Bank, the PlayRoom aims to boost start-up innovations and entrepreneurial skills.
The brightly coloured PlayRoom also ensures the work done by the bank solves real customer needs and challenges through collaborative work with its customers, Mpako added.
"For the first time, customers have direct access to shaping ideas, designing products and helping to build products that suit their lifestyle," said Mpako. "One of the things that are critical for us when we think about the PlayRoom, is how do we make sure we know what you, as the customer, is looking for and what we are delivering to you is solving your pain point?
"Gone are the days when companies put products into the market and do fancy marketing to encourage adoption."
The facility features a testing area where customers test new innovations and can provide insights and help create a "user experience journey", Standard Bank says. It adds, through the PlayRoom, it will be able to integrate both its customer and staff into the creative design process.
The PlayRoom has already been put to the test with Standard Bank's new-generation Internet banking site launching soon.
"The facility reminds me of what Google has done in other countries; its Tel Aviv offices, for example," said World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck, who also attended the event. The Google offices not only give employees the right tools for work, but also those for inspiration and creativity.
Goldstuck pointed to the Deloitte offices in Midrand as another similar concept. "One sees this kind of space at innovative companies, but it is the first time I'm seeing it at a traditional corporate environment," he said.
"I'm sure the company could create similar spaces in other centres, but this is not something that could be made a standard operating environment."
"The centre will be at the forefront of solutions testing to make the customers' banking experience simpler and more seamless. The ultimate aim will be enabling convenient, 24-hour banking from any location," Mpako concluded.
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