When money and transactions are involved it can take time for people to trust using new technology.
And quite understandably too, it is our (or the company's) money after all. If I think about my personal life I'm always shocked to hear when octogenarians have boxes of cash under their beds and I regularly tease my mum who believes you can only withdraw cash from your bank's ATMs and won't use her debit card for purchases under £10.
But I was surprised at the level of untrustworthiness travel managers feel towards cards in a new Payments Report seeming as cards have been around for decades. The buyers' reluctance comes from concerns about compliance and control, yet the majority of those already using a card of some sort cite compliance and control as their main reason for doing so.
If there is reluctance already it's not being helped by an increase in cybercrime and growing discomfort with an online 'big brother' culture. There is probably a tonne of red tape as well. But while I'm sure there are occasions when cash is easiest, it seems so old school. Even cards are. Mobile payments are taking time to gain traction but 'invisible' have arguably taken off quicker especially if you think about the popularity of Uber. Newer options are not only easier for travellers but provide more security and an audit trail.
I tease my mother by saying that at least by paying on my card, even for a can of Diet Coke, I know exactly where my money has gone when I look at my statement at the end of the month. I can then budget accordingly and spend less on Diet Coke. If I'm given £20 in cash it's usually gone quickly and I can't remember what it was spent on. In a business context that's even more important.