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Letter from the editors

ith the 1982 publication of John Naisbitt's
blockbuster book Megatrends: Ten New
Directions Transforming Our Lives, the
W then recently coined term "megatrends"
became a mainstay in the American lexicon, where it
has remained to this day. Spotting and analyzing such
trends in an effort to prepare and capitalize on their
power is ongoing in many fields of endeavor from
the social sciences to government to businesses of all
types, including, of course, payments. OF A RESOURCE

This issue's lead article takes a deep dive into eight
consumer megatrends that researchers believe are
primed to shape global innovation and commerce in GUIDE RGXL AD
the next decade and beyond. From the way people
research products and shop for them, to what kind
of interactions they favor, to shifting priorities and Viewable: In Print, Online,
lifestyles, this article pinpoints essential shifts likely
to affect payments in many ways ‒ from the questions and Front Page Option
merchant level salespeople (MLSs) ask prospects to the
types of products and services payment technology
providers develop and promote.

Speaking of MLSs, asking the right questions is
one part of successful interactions with merchants,
but as one industry expert explained in an article
featured herein, active listening is also required.
Other contributing writers shared insights on the
importance of knowing what types of challenges keep
today's small business owners up at night; easy ways
to take extra care of your best customers; changes in
the portfolio acquisition landscape that make it a wise
move to reassess ISO/MLS contracts to account for
valuation variance; and the impacts of the DOJ's shift • Ability to purchase on a quarterly basis.
toward prosecuting cannabis-related businesses in
states where its use for recreational and/or medicinal Great for short term contract/test runs
use is both legal and regulated. of new products or services.

Highlights from the news covered include Western • Great way to close out your yearly
Union's forfeit of $60 million to the New York advertising accounts and start fresh
Department of Financial Services; a recap from the for the new year.
National Retail Federation's 107th annual convention;
a RAM-scraper attack at Jason's Deli locations; • We have quarterly payments
Lighthouse's (commonly known as Harbortouch) schedules available.
acquisition of Shift4 and assumption of the Shift4
name; the ETA-IDC study of payment trends for 2018; • Discounts are given for long term
and the new PCI standard for PIN entry on commercial contracts & multiple listings.
off-the-shelf devices.
Call today for more details
You'll also find herein plenty of inspiration in
new product and company profiles, as well as in
updates on individual and company milestones of Danielle Thorpe
note, compelling research, new partnerships and
acquisitions, and key appointments. Please send us AVP Media Partnerships
your feedback to greensheet@greensheet.com, and your
press releases to press@greensheet.com. We look forward 707-284-1686
to hearing from you. .

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