IDEO Last Mile Money

In the future, the last mile will be no mile at all. Our Financial Future for 2034: The last mile will no longer be about geography, it will be about network access—and the ability to participate in living, dynamic networks that define the digital economy. The new deciding factor for prosperity will be how people access shared networks that grow from online communities. If they choose to abstain, still struggle to go online, or are blacklisted, they may find themselves in the new last mile. But for many more people, the digital economy will open new opportunities to be seen, recognized, and grow because of how new forms of value are created, exchanged, and distributed, no matter who or where they are. Explore why we at IDEO #LastMileMoney are willing to bet on this future: https://lnkd.in/gRyDFrNJ

In the future, digital products will be built for women—not adapted to include them. IDEO #LastMileMoney's Financial Future for 2034: After years of economic uncertainty and disruption, businesses will learn that catering to women’s needs—centering designs and products around half the world’s population—is good for both financial and social standing. From calling KYC into question to high-performing women agents, check out the signals that tell us where business at the last mile is headed when it comes to centering women: https://lnkd.in/gW2wguEU

In case you missed it, we just launched our boldest project yet: LMM Financial Futures! Dive into our three big predictions for the future state of the last mile: WHO, WHERE, and HOW a new reality will emerge. Long considered just the final step in the delivery of goods, services, and money, the last mile is now seen as a space to find what’s next—a place for innovation and opportunity. Learn where this shifting landscape is headed: https://lnkd.in/gaEmmkyN

At IDEO Last Mile Money, we often share our projects after we’ve completed them—this time, we want to do something different. Introducing LMM Financial Futures: a report that looks back at the current reality of the last mile today but also dreams it into three bold new futures. Within the next few years, we believe: 🟠 Women will be at the center of finance. 🟠 The last mile will be no mile at all. 🟠 Financial services will be invisible. Explore our three big bets about the WHO, WHERE, and HOW the new reality of the last mile will emerge—and what it means for underserved people today: https://lnkd.in/gqFCkvSF

In case you missed it, we just published an update to our Financial Confidence Playbook with a new section focused on the intersection of Women and Finance! This new page shares tested design patterns that startups can use to more effectively connect with women—particularly low-income users and new internet users. Check out the new page to learn more about: 🔵 How to let the offline lead the online 🔵 Language that feels inclusive and empowering 🔵 When to provide the right digital shortcuts 🔵 And more! https://lnkd.in/gs65xhNU

“Male defaults reflect biases deeply ingrained in our society. They allow institutions to build products to fit the way men inhabit the world: the kinds of jobs they have; how they use phones; their available free time; and even their ability to move around in public.” With gender-intentional design, IDEO Last Mile Money is pushing back against these practices, and challenging the reign of male defaults. Today, we are launching a new section on our Financial Confidence Playbook, dedicated to women and finance, with examples of products, features, and best practices for designing for underserved women. Read more about some of these proven design interventions that can help companies build products made for women—especially those at the last mile: https://lnkd.in/gKmdcByx

Discovering a new app and onboarding to it can be intimidating for last mile users. Unclear value propositions and long signup flows can feel daunting. Here’s how to create a welcoming and intuitive onboarding experience for new internet users: https://bit.ly/49OJuuo

Billions of underbanked people use mobile phones—often feature phones with inconsistent connectivity. Even for those who can access smartphones, low digital confidence and expensive data are barriers. Offering your product within the device and data constraints of a last mile use provides accessibility, simplicity, and familiarity and can make digital money feel seamless. Explore some of the unexpected but effectives interfaces to consider when connecting with new internet users: https://bit.ly/4cg5Fev

Digital financial services can feel unfamiliar, risky, and hard to learn for last mile users. Is digital actually better than informal solutions they’re using today? Is the product worth the switching cost? Even if users are convinced of the benefit, the learning curve can be steep. Check out these proven product flows for taking users on a learning journey: https://bit.ly/3TidyYv

For many low-income customers, agents put a human face to formal financial services. They’re a source of support, particularly when services are complex, rural connectivity or errors occur. Check out our design insights for empowering agents and their customers: https://bit.ly/48Wbafy