In 2014, ANZ organized an international App Contest where employees from around the world could form teams and create an application aimed at providing value to ANZ customers.
I was excited about this fantastic opportunity and quickly assembled a team to participate.
During the initial round, each team was tasked with generating an application idea, designing mock-ups, and preparing a presentation.
In my team, we agreed to take 24 hours to brainstorm various ideas individually and then share them the following day.
I wanted to come up with an idea that would benefit ANZ customers while also offering a service unrelated to traditional banking. I aimed for something positive and uplifting, a gesture of giving back to our customers. I envisioned a concept that would be universally useful, accessible at any moment and in any place. Something that customers would turn to during the happiest moments of their lives.
I began pondering the happiest moments in people's daily lives, such as family gatherings, shopping trips, parties, birthdays, holidays, Christmas, and more.
An idea struck me. What if we could reward our customers with points for their everyday banking activities, which they could then redeem for a variety of items like gift cards, travel experiences, show tickets, and even merchandise from stores?
Upon examining reward programs provided by ANZ and other banks, I found that ANZ does offer reward points for each purchase made using an ANZ credit card. However, I identified a few issues with this system.
To begin with, I actually had an ANZ credit card myself, but I didn't realise (or more likely, I had forgotten) that I was earning any rewards. I vaguely recall there being a checkbox on a form asking if I wanted to join the rewards program when I applied for the card a few years ago!
Then I decided to check what my balance was, but I was completely clueless about where to find that information.
After some digging I discovered there was a dedicated website. However, I encountered another problem - my internet banking password didn't work because this site required a separate profile and password!
All of these setbacks turned out to be excellent news for me! It was clear that there was a fantastic opportunity waiting to be seized, so I decided that this would be my contest idea.
Off the top of my head, I brainstormed a few features that would significantly improve this reward program. Some ideas included a mobile app that could be accessed with a pin or fingerprint, the ability to quickly check balances and make purchases, and the option to shop using the app.
At that time, ANZ's mobile banking app was called goMoney, so I opted to name my app goRewards to align with the brand.
The following day, we shared our ideas with the team, and among my two suggestions, the team decided to pursue goRewards as the chosen concept.
With only a week to prepare a presentation typically done in PowerPoint, I proposed leveraging my video production skills to create a video presentation instead.
Each team member was focused on their respective tasks, and we simultaneously worked on all aspects of the presentation. This involved several brief and rapid cycles of research, incorporating new features, scripting and filming the video, as well as creating and adjusting the user flow.
We wrapped up on Friday night, and it was now my responsibility to utilize the weekend for editing the video, designing and animating the mock-ups, and refining the final presentation that needed to be submitted by Monday.
And here is what we submitted
Out of the 172 participating teams, only 7 were selected to progress to the final round, and I'm delighted to say that my team was one of them!
During the final stage, all 7 teams had to present their app in a style reminiscent of Apple's product launches to a live audience and a panel of judges in a spacious auditorium. The judging panel included ANZ CEO Mike Smith, ANZ CIO, ANZ Head of Design, and other top executives from the company.
I knew that the most effective way to showcase the product was to provide a hands-on experience, allowing people to interact with it and envision having it on their own phones. Therefore, we swiftly decided against displaying mockup screens or static images on a phone. What we needed was a functional application.
The main challenge was that, despite all of us being developers, none of us had prior experience in iOS development, and we only had a week to build a working prototype.
But who needs sleep when there's work to be done, right?
Oh, and did I mention that we all had our regular 9 to 5 jobs as well?
Naturally, the content is just as crucial as the presentation's form. Therefore, a few team members were crafting a presentation script that would mirror the style Steve Jobs used when introducing earlier iPhone models.
As if I didn't have enough on my plate, I was slated to co-present the product on stage with another team member. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoy showcasing my creations, and I felt honored that the team chose me for this role.
What design?
Having a solid understanding of the user flows, screens, and features of the application, our goal was to ensure it was visually appealing and exuded a cutting-edge feel, reminiscent of the latest trends around November 2014.
Outstanding designs typically adhere to established trends and patterns, while exceptional designs forge new trends and patterns.
This was precisely the case on September 18, 2013, when Apple introduced their groundbreaking iOS 7.
This design focused less on what the technology is capable of and more on what the technology ought to do - create user friendly and timeless experience.
In contrast to the Hero section of a website's landing page, which must attract attention to engage the user, the initial screen of a mobile banking app is where users input their PIN. This screen will be the first one seen by the audience and judges during our live presentation, so it needs to make a powerful impact.
The simple solution would have been to copy the PIN screen from the existing ANZ mobile banking app, goMoney. However, I found it outdated and cumbersome, reminiscent of the older iOS6 interface. This prompted me to completely overhaul the design. When ANZ's primary banking app eventually aligned with modern design trends in 2021, I was pleased to see how closely it resembled the design I had created for goRewards back in 2014.
As the rest of the team wrapped up their work on another Friday night, the responsibility of designing every screen and creating additional artifacts like tickets and vouchers fell solely on me. Armed with the limited knowledge of Xcode that I had acquired during the week, I had to assemble everything within a tight 48-hour timeframe, with no opportunity for an extension.
The ultimate showdown was coming on Monday.
Showtime
As I stepped onto the stage, the spotlight burning into my skin, every beat of my heart felt like a drumroll of impending doom. The hushed murmurs of the audience were a symphony of doubt, and with each word I spoke, I wagered my very existence on the outcome, my fate hanging in the balance of their judgment.
I carefully navigate through the meticulously crafted problem statement, honing each word and intonation with precision. As I delve into a brief introduction of my solution, I channel my inner Steve Jobs and after a moment of a silent cliffhanger I release "We call it... goRewards." The audience's positive reactions fuel me, and I reciprocate with even more energy and flair.
Connecting my phone to the projector, all eyes are now fixated on my screen. A simple tap on an app icon feels like an eternity as a whirlwind of thoughts race through my mind: "Is my phone charged? Is it on airplane mode? Did I test the app in airplane mode? What did I miss? There's always something that is missed. Why can't i think of anything? Why all these questions now when it's too late? Stay calm, don't show nerves, just roll with it. You've got this. You're presenting a product you believe in, a product you're proud of!" Finally, the app springs to life, marking the beginning of the grand reveal.
The rest, as they say, is now etched in history. It stands as a pinnacle of my professional journey, a moment of unparalleled beauty and fulfillment. Victory is ours, and a surge of pride engulfs me, acknowledging that while there's always room for improvement, I've accomplished enough to secure success. Together, we have triumphed.
The feedback we've got demonstrated that our analysis and approach was correct.
Main advantages are:
