In this episode, I speak with Jason, a payments "unicorn" with extensive experience across card issuing, hospitality, and quick-service restaurants (QSR), as we explore the fascinating journey through the complex world of payments across different industries.

Jason brings a unique perspective having worked at major brands like Citigroup, Hyatt, McDonald's, and Starbucks, and shares invaluable insights on how payment systems differ between hospitality and QSR environments. We dive deep into the challenges of creating seamless payment experiences across global brands, the importance of treating payments as a critical digital product, and how payment data is becoming increasingly central to customer loyalty strategies.

We explore the complexity of franchise models where different ownership groups need consistent payment experiences, the evolution of payment professionals into strategic business partners, and the exciting future of payment technologies including blockchain, digital currencies, and agent purchasing. We also discuss the emerging payment innovations happening in regions like South America, the concept of "glocal" payment solutions, and why organizations need dedicated Chief Payment Officers who have a seat at the strategic table.

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Arthur Bedel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-bedel/

Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysoncanady/

[00:00:00] Introduction and Jason's background as a "payments unicorn"

[00:01:00] The importance of industry-specific payment strategies

[00:02:00] How Jason discovered payments and built his career path

[00:04:00] The impact of payment systems on millions of people daily

[00:06:00] Unique payment challenges in the hospitality industry

[00:09:00] Complexity of hotel booking systems and third-party platforms

[00:12:00] The "glocal" challenge: global brands with local implementations

[00:14:00] Transitioning from hospitality to QSR payments

[00:17:00] The critical intersection of payments, customer experience, and data

[00:20:00] Importance of a single customer view across payment platforms

[00:23:00] Data centralization challenges and industry maturity

[00:25:00] Ownership complexity in QSR and creating consistent experiences

[00:28:00] The need for Chief Payment Officers in organizations

[00:29:00] Future of payments: digital currencies, Web3, and blockchain

[00:31:00] Agent purchasing and innovations in emerging markets

[00:34:00] Jason's advice for payments professionals