Latest news with #customerExperience
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Abyat joins the NBK Rewards Program
AlNasrallah: We continuously strive to widen our network of partners for the NBK Rewards Program. Excellence in providing the best customer banking experience is part and parcel of NBK's culture. A 5% NBK Rewards points upon making a KD 100 purchase from Abyat for NBK customers. Reflecting its commitment to enriching the banking experience of its customers by providing exclusive offers and special rewards, National Bank of Kuwait announced the joining of Abyat, a leading company specialized in retail furnishing and finishing materials, to the NBK Rewards Loyalty Program. This exciting new partnership brings NBK Credit and Prepaid Cardholders an exclusive opportunity to earn 5% or redeem their NBK Rewards Points on their purchases at Abyat when spending KD 100. Starting today, NBK customers can enjoy benefits when shopping for furniture at Abyat. Whether renovating or simply refreshing a space, customers now have more reason to shop at Abyat with their NBK Credit or Prepaid Cards. The earned NBK Rewards points can be fully or partially redeemed for purchases at all participating outlets immediately through POS terminals. On this occasion, Homoud AlNasrallah SVP – Head of Merchant Business and Customer Loyalty Management commented: 'We always strive to strengthen our ties with leading companies across different fields and widen our network of partners within the NBK Rewards Program, as we hope to elevate and enrich our customers' banking experience and enhance the rewards and benefits when they use their NBK Credit and Prepaid Cardholders at their favorite outlets. Therefore, We're thrilled to welcome Abyat to the NBK Rewards Program. This partnership is a reflection of our commitment to giving NBK customers more value from the brands they already love - and Abyat is a household name when it comes to home solutions in Kuwait.' AlNasrallah also highlighted that to benefit from this offer, customers simply need to spend KD 100 or more using their NBK Credit or Prepaid cards in-store at Abyat. The 5% NBK Rewards points will be automatically credited to the rewards center, making home shopping even more rewarding. The NBK Rewards Program is Kuwait's largest loyalty program, offering unmatched savings and benefits across more than 800 partner outlets from retail and dining to entertainment and health and wellness centers.
Times of Oman
7 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Bank Muscat Hosts Annual Leadership Forum to Celebrate Employee Achievements and Continuous Innovation
Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, organised the Leadership Forum 2025 at St. Regis Al Mouj, which was attended by members of the Executive Management, including heads of branches and regional managers from both Bank Muscat and Meethaq Islamic Banking. The forum emphasized the importance of customer experience and state-of-the-art banking services while highlighting the need to adapt to developments that strengthen the Bank's role in economic and social spheres. The annual meeting serves as a platform for management and employees to maintain the Bank's leadership position. The Forum also hosted a ceremony honouring branches, Head Office and regional teams recognised in the second edition of the CEO's Excellence Awards, celebrating top-performing teams in various business and operational activities. These awards recognise the best-performing teams in the Bank and promote development opportunities among employees. They enhance business performance, foster creativity in services and products, and support the Bank's digital transformation plans. This initiative positions Bank Muscat as a leader in the sector, with skilled personnel driving industry growth and building community trust. On this occasion, a number of employees expressed their happiness to be awarded in the CEO's Excellence Awards. AbdulAmir Haji Khair Al Balushi, Branch Manager, Ruwi, said: 'At our branch, everyday provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our customers' experiences. The trust they place in us not only inspires our team to innovate but also drives us to continuously enhance our services. We are dedicated to creating a memorable experience that truly reflect our commitment to their needs and aspirations, reflecting on the Bank's vision 'To serve you better, every day'.' On the same spirit, Ahlam Ahmed Al Ghaithi, Branch Manager, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, said: 'This initiative is a prefect venue to meet with colleagues from all branches and departments of the Bank. I feel immense pride to work with a team that prioritizes our customers' needs above all else. Their loyalty and support motivate us to strive for excellence in everything we do. It's incredibly rewarding to see how these collective efforts not only strengthen our relationship with customers, but also foster a culture for continuous improvement within our department.' The forum featured various interactive activities, including traditional folk-art performances by employees from Musandam and Al Buraimi. Bank Muscat places a high priority on continuously improving employee satisfaction and uplifting workforce morale by actively acknowledging and addressing employees' feedback, thus maintaining a professional work environment. The Bank takes pride in its employees who work across the various departments and branches. Considering their pivotal role, the Bank is keen to provide various training and learning opportunities to help them enhance their performance and achieve their goals. The Bank has consistently won a number of international and local awards and accolades in recognition of its leadership position in Oman. Amongst these recognitions, the Bank has been listed among Forbes' Top Companies in the Middle East and won multiple prestigious awards such as the Best Bank in Oman Award from Euromoney, the Excellence in Customer-Centric Financial Services Award as well as the Best Bank Award at the Large Banks Segment from Oman Economic Review (OER) and Best Places to Work Award from a prestigious institution.
Skift
09-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
A Smarter Way to Navigate the Airline Retailing Shift
As airlines embrace the promise of next-generation retailing, they're discovering that strategy alone won't get them there. The real challenge lies in execution, integrating fragmented systems, aligning internal teams, and scaling customer-centric experiences. This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. According to Skift Research, the airline industry may need to invest between $3 billion and $15 billion over the next decade to achieve a full digital transformation. Most carriers are still years away from realizing the promise of new "offer and order" platforms, which aim to replace fragmented, ticket-based systems with seamless, customer-centric retailing. Despite broad agreement on the need for change, many airlines remain in limbo, held back by aging legacy systems, organizational silos, and unclear priorities. IBS Software cuts through this complexity with its dynamic iRetail Experience, an interactive site designed to guide airline leaders through the retailing shift, from understanding what's possible to taking confident steps forward. 'Modern airline retailing isn't a software sale,' said Ben Simmons, VP and regional head of Europe and Africa at IBS Software. 'It's a business transformation journey. And it requires engaging across the entire airline organization.' The High-Stakes Pivot to Offer and Order Airlines are under increasing pressure to modernize their retail strategies and keep pace with evolving passenger expectations. The industry is pivoting toward dynamic offer creation, personalized service bundles, and retail-style digital experiences that mirror those of leading e-commerce brands. While the vision of moving to an offer-and-order framework is compelling, the path is complex and the stakes are high. A single misstep could disrupt operations, confuse customers, or derail financial forecasts. And with multiple stakeholders — from CIOs and CFOs to frontline agents and commercial teams — there's no single story that resonates across the board. 'You're talking to everyone from board members to subject matter experts,' Simmons said. 'CFOs ask about ROI. CIOs ask about disruption to their IT landscape. Customer service teams ask about usability. You have to tailor the message to every audience.' Pain Points and Roadblocks Even when airlines recognize the need for transformation, execution often falters due to the complexity of modern retailing ecosystems. Unlike traditional sales models, dynamic offer and order systems require tightly integrated processes across pricing, servicing, inventory management, and loyalty, and one weak link can destabilize the entire operation. For many carriers, existing infrastructure wasn't designed to support this level of orchestration. When systems fail to communicate in real time, a seemingly simple action — like rebooking a delayed flight that includes a hotel and car rental — can unravel the entire experience. Recovery often relies on manual interventions, which are costly, time-consuming, and frustrating for customers. 'It becomes a house of cards,' said Marco Contento, VP of aviation business services at IBS Software. 'Any change, like a delayed flight, can collapse the entire itinerary and require manual fixes.' Another hidden barrier is leadership fatigue. After years of pilot programs and vendor pitches, many executives hesitate to commit to yet another transformation roadmap without clear, measurable outcomes. More than technical specifications, they need reassurance that a path exists between current-state complexity and future-state ambition. 'You can't retrofit modern retail into legacy systems and expect it to work,' Simmons said. 'The technology, the teams, and the processes all have to evolve together.' What Airline Leaders Need to See According to Simmons, the iRetail Experience illustrates how IBS Software's modern retailing platform meets decision-makers where they are. It's a showcase of technical capabilities and serves as a strategic storytelling tool that helps leaders visualize outcomes. 'When we showed a major U.S. airline how a partner's seat map could display in an interline scenario, where two or more airlines coordinate on a single itinerary, it changed the conversation,' Contento said. 'Suddenly, they saw what was possible, not just in terms of fixing pain points but also creating entirely new experiences.' This kind of demonstration builds trust by shifting the conversation from abstract concepts to real-world results. How the iRetail Platform Powers Modernization To bridge the gap between aspiration and action, airlines need systems that are modular, interoperable, and scalable. IBS Software's iRetail platform meets those needs by offering capabilities like AI-driven personalization and end-to-end merchandising, all from a single interface. Built on legacy-free architecture, it empowers airlines to: Create, manage, and sell both air and non-air products from a single interface Gain a 360-degree customer view and build smart profiles Use AI and machine learning to personalize offers Implement modernization in stages, reducing risk 'Modularity is key,' Simmons said. 'Airlines can start with order while keeping their existing offer engine, for example. Then they can layer in retailing capabilities at their own pace.' That flexibility matters, especially in a time of constrained budgets and unpredictable operating environments. By moving step by step, airlines can chart a course that fits their business needs without blowing up current operations. And for those seeking vendor diversity, the platform opens the door. 'There's a strong desire in the market to move away from single-vendor lock-in,' Contento said. 'When we show what we've already built, it gives airline executives proof that there's a credible alternative.' Envisioning a Frictionless Future Looking ahead, Simmons envisions a future where airlines evolve into fully integrated travel platforms, managing every aspect of the journey beyond the flight itself. 'Imagine a couple in Paris booking a Caribbean cruise. They need flights, transfers, accommodations — and they want all of it in one place,' he said. 'That's where this is going. Airlines will offer end-to-end experiences, not just transport.' It's a vision of connected, intuitive journeys powered by AI, loyalty data, and intelligent service design, where a traveler's late flight triggers an automatic rental car adjustment and a personalized greeting on arrival. Of course, there are industry-wide challenges to overcome: regulatory changes, interline dependencies, and legacy habits. But as early adopters embrace iRetail, momentum is building. 'You can't transform in isolation,' said Simmons. 'But once the innovators move, others will follow. That's when the logjam breaks.' For more information about IBS Software's iRetail platform for airlines, click here. This content was created collaboratively by IBS Software and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sohar International and Sohar Islamic reward 40 lucky customers with smart devices in credit card campaign
Muscat: Reinforcing their commitment to delivering value-driven customer experiences, Sohar International and its Islamic window, Sohar Islamic, have announced the first round of winners in their ongoing Credit Card Acquisition Campaign. The prize distribution ceremony honoured 40 winners—30 from Sohar International and 10 from Sohar Islamic—each receiving a smart device. The awards were presented by Mr. Abdul Qader Al Sumali, Chief Retail and Premier Banking Officer at Sohar International, and Mr. Fahad Akbar Al Zadjali, Head of Islamic Banking, in a ceremony that underscored the campaign's success in engaging customers and promoting the banks' diverse credit card offerings and associated benefits. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Qader Al Sumali, Chief Retail and Premier Banking Officer at Sohar International, stated: 'At Sohar International, our ambition is to go beyond traditional banking by embedding real value into our customers' financial journeys. This campaign reflects our strategic intent to recognize and reward responsible financial behavior through practical and meaningful incentives. Such initiatives play a pivotal role in deepening customer trust, enhancing engagement, and contributing to a more rewarding banking experience.' Mr. Fahad Al Zadjali, Head of Sohar Islamic added: 'Sohar Islamic remains committed to offering value-led financial solutions grounded in ethical principles. Through this campaign, we aim to cultivate responsible spending habits while reinforcing the tangible benefits of Sharia-compliant banking. Initiatives like this reflect our vision to empower customers through impactful solutions that support their financial wellbeing.' Launched earlier this year, the Credit Card Acquisition Campaign is designed to encourage both new and existing customers to adopt and actively use their Sohar International or Sohar Islamic credit cards. Customers spending a minimum of OMR 50 are automatically entered into a monthly raffle draw, running until the end of the year. In total, 500 smart devices—including smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets—will be distributed throughout the campaign, with 30 winners from Sohar International and 10 from Sohar Islamic selected each month. The structure of the campaign ensures equitable chances for all participants, reinforcing transparency and inclusivity. In addition to the rewards, the credit cards offer long-term value with benefits such as lifetime-free issuance, 1% cashback on all purchases, up to 5,000 welcome points, activation bonuses, complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, and the Entertainer App. This campaign represents a strategic approach by both Sohar International and Sohar Islamic to integrate immediate incentives with sustained customer value. It reflects the banks' broader vision to reshape the customer experience in Oman's banking landscape through initiatives that are meaningful, innovative, and aligned with evolving lifestyle needs. About Sohar International With the vision to become a world-class Omani services company that helps customers, community and people to prosper and grow, Sohar International operates with a purpose to help people 'win' by delivering responsive banking for their ever-changing world, complementing their growth and prosperity with international standard service delivery. The Bank seeks to redefine banking in Oman through transformational developments centred on the principles of More Velocity, making everything simple and fast; More Value, ensuring relevance and connectivity to customers' world; and More Vision, liberating stakeholders through talented leadership.
Globe and Mail
07-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Bombardier Inaugurates the Innovation and Design Centre Dedicated to Creating the Future of Business Aircraft Customer Experience
Bombardier's Innovation and Design Centre, represents a major milestone, and will deliver innovations that continuously enhance and define our customers' experience Located in Montreal, the space will enable the teams to secretly and rapidly test innovative products ahead of integrating them into the aircraft portfolio The Centre will house full-scale cabin mockups and prototypes to test and develop key innovations that continuously elevate the Bombardier cabin experience MONTREAL, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier proudly announces the inauguration of the Bombardier Innovation and Design Centre, the new cornerstone of the company's customer-centric strategy. The Innovation and Design Centre's mission is to keep Bombardier's aircraft ahead of the curve by delivering continuous innovations and improvements to the entire portfolio. A multidisciplinary team entirely dedicated to this new space will work in the strictest confidentiality on innovations aimed at redefining the customer experience of business aircraft. Strategically co-located with Bombardier's manufacturing facilities in the greater Montreal, Québec, area, the Innovation and Design Centre will provide the space and means to drive customer-centric design and innovation projects independently of aircraft development programs or model variants. This approach will enable Bombardier to rapidly introduce cutting-edge innovations to the market, continuously elevating the experience for its customers around the world. "In the business aviation sector, innovating is a question of competitiveness and has a tremendous impact on our overall performance in the market. Our customers expect the very best and we have maintained, throughout the years, a steadfast commitment on delivering nothing short of that,' said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer at Bombardier. 'Bombardier's history was built on a culture of innovation and a strong dedication to changing industry paradigms. With the Innovation and Design Centre, we double down on our long-standing commitment to our customers worldwide – to offer a cutting-edge experience, unmatched across the industry." The Centre provides a dedicated space, highly specialized equipment, and allows close collaboration between multidisciplinary experts, enabling the experimentation, development, testing, and rapid iterations of new ideas. With tools such as full-scale mockups and prototypes, Bombardier teams will be able to create proofs of concept and rapidly iterate while ensuring that any new product will be robust, reliable in service and seamlessly integrated into our production lines. The Centre will allow Bombardier's industry-renowned teams to benefit from the resources and latitude put at their disposal. In the past, these teams have designed successful products such as the entirely new clean-sheet interior of the Global 7500 and the Challenger 3500 cabin design refresh. Both aircraft were recipients of the prestigious Red Dot Awards, one of the most sought-after international recognitions for design and innovation excellence, with its highest distinction ''Best of the Best'' for Challenger 3500. "Stimulated by the combination of their expertise, our diverse teams – from industrial designers, engineers, craftsmen, upholsterers to prototypists – now have the means they need to turn their ideas into reality. In the greatest of secrecy and off-critical path, our teams will focus entirely on new product design and innovation. This purpose-built centre will foster the environment required to channel their talents more effectively, enabling Bombardier to set a new industry standard,' said Sean Johnson, Vice-President, Aircraft Innovation at Bombardier. About Bombardier At Bombardier ( we design, build, modify and maintain the world's best-performing aircraft for the world's most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs. For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it. Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,100 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier's performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious 'Red Dot: Best of the Best' award for Brands and Communication Design. For Information Learn more about Bombardier's industry-leading products and customer service network at Follow us on X @Bombardier. Media Contacts General media contact webform Bombardier is a registered trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
