What is the goal of the Solution Playground?

Our goal is this: Credit unions can take control of the first 80% of a traditional sales process, at their pace, on their terms.
We help you sift through the noise and narrow down to your top 1-3 choices, so you can focus your energy on solutions that are actually a good match. No more sitting through meetings, demos, and pitches that inevitably won't go anywhere.

How is the Solution Playground different from other marketplaces or directories?

Our strategy puts credit unions in control of the sales process. Unlike other marketplaces that focus on discovery, we help you evaluate solutions too.
Typical marketplaces give you a company name and basic info, then you enter their sales cycle at their pace. We provide detailed information upfront in a standardized format so you can effectively compare solutions. This is how you get through the first 80% of a traditional sales process with you in the driver's seat.

Who runs and owns the Solution Playground?

The Solution Playground is managed and owned by Adam Lee. We're serious about maintaining independence and objectivity - we haven't received external investment and this project is self-funded. We believe credit unions need a place to discover and evaluate partners free of external financial influence.

How does the Solution Playground make money?

The Solution Playground generates revenue two ways:

• $2,000 annual fee - Companies pay this flat rate to post up to 5 solution listings
• $200 lead fee - When you're ready to contact solution providers, they pay this fee to connect with you

What's "Click to Contribute?"

For each lead generated, the Solution Playground makes a donation to credit union foundations and philanthropies with our Click to Contribute model.

What's a Playground Architect?

During our initial phase, select companies can become Playground Architects by pre-paying for multiple years of service. This project would not be successful without their generosity and support. As a thank you, we provide temporary visibility boosts to these early adopters.

Does the Solution Playground recommend any solutions?

No, we do not recommend any specific solution or solution provider as a core company value. Any recommendation has context and assumptions baked into it. We don't know what's best for you. Only you know. We are here to give you the tools to be confident in your discovery, evaluation, and decision making process.

Why are so many listings missing information?

We wish we had a magic wand, but building a robust marketplace takes time. We're working with solution providers to complete their listings and demonstrate our value proposition to attract more companies.

What's the "Solution Rating System?"

We use a Solution Rating System (found in the Basic Information filters) to help you understand how much useful information each listing contains before clicking on it. This also incentivizes solution providers to provide more complete information. We also call out engaging features like introductory videos, interactive demos, and sandbox environments where you can try the solution yourself. These help you get a better feel for the solution before contacting the provider.

• Complete: All relevant fields populated with quality information
• Partial with Engaging Features: Videos and sandbox features included, but missing some critical information
• Partial without Engaging Features: Missing multiple data fields, including videos and demos
• Incomplete: Lacks considerable information - provider needs immediate improvements
• Placeholder: Needs to be claimed and updated by the solution provider

What's a "placeholder listing?"

To get started, we pre-loaded the Solution Playground with 200+ placeholder listings to help credit unions discover a broad selection of results. These listings contain a limited amount of information, inferred through publicly accessible information, and are for demonstration purposes only.
Placeholder listings are intended to demonstrate the search capabilities of the platform. We aim to keep this information factual, straightforward, and pulled directly from sources like the company's webpages. Accordingly, for complete and accurate information, always consult with the actual company.

Why did you start with placeholder listings instead of complete ones?

The long-term goal is to have 500+ fully populated listings, creating a one-stop-shop for all solution types with plenty of actionable information to find a great solution partner. But starting with placeholders lets you see what's possible while we work with providers to complete their profiles.

How can I help get more complete listings?

Great question! Here are two ways:

1. Encourage friends and colleagues to sign up for an account. The more credit unions represented on the Playground will incentivize more solution providers to join.
2. Click "Send an Inquiry" on placeholder listings. We share this demand with solution providers to encourage completion of the listing.

How do I see only complete listings when I search?

Use the "Solution Listing Rating" in the Basic Information set of filters to show only solutions with complete listings (removing partial, incomplete, and placeholder listings).

I don't see a solution I want to evaluate on the Solution Playground. What should I do?

Email the Solution Playground or encourage that solution to join! Nothing works better than a: "Hey, I might partner with you, but I want to see your product or service on the Solution Playground first!"

When should I click "Send an Inquiry" on a solution listing?

To help fulfill the goal of the Solution Playground, we ask that you click "Send an Inquiry" only when you are ready for action. This could mean:

• We are ready to buy
• We are in the final stages of comparing our top prospects and need more information from each prospect
• We need very specific pieces of information like a custom quote, implementation plan, technology diagrams, etc., that is not available in the standard listing
  The value for solution providers is that they can focus their energy on good matches. If a credit union believes they are a good match and in the final stages of the discovery, evaluation, and selection process, then it is time to click "Send an Inquiry."

If you are uncertain when to click "Send an Inquiry," contact us for assistance.

What happens after I click "Send an Inquiry?"

After a credit union clicks "Inquiry," the Solution Playground validates the request and offers the lead to the solution provider. The solution provider can then pay the $200 lead fee to initiate contact with the credit union.

Why should I connect with a solution provider on the Solution Playground?

First, it helps create a sustainable marketplace that can grow and adapt. We've built inquiry fees into our business model to keep solution provider access fees low and ensure we have the financial resources to maintain and operate the platform.\ Second, staying on the Solution Playground helps sustain the credit union movement. We make a donation to credit union philanthropies and foundations with our Click to Contribute program when you click "Send an Inquiry."

Why don't I see many peer references in solution listings?

The peer reference feature only works when credit unions volunteer to serve as references. We're counting on the collaborative credit union spirit!

How can I help add more peer references?

The best way to see more references is to lead by example. Put yourself out there and list solutions you have experience with in your credit union user profile.

How do I encourage others to become references?

Encourage your peers to do the same! Make it a game, see who can serve as a reference for the most solutions on the Playground!

Why do I need a credit union email to join?

The Solution Playground was built for credit unions and we want to build a close-knit community of organizations working to solve problems collaboratively.

Why can't solution providers see other listings by different companies?

We want to respect solution provider privacy and proprietary information. Many providers are sharing company information intended for potential partners, not for other solution providers to view and compare. We do our best to instill that confidence by validating credit union emails.

I can't find the "Problems to Solve" or "Solution Categories" I'm looking for. What now?

Our data structure and organization is constantly evolving to meet credit union needs and acknowledge the complexity of a rapidly changing financial services industry. If you are stuck or need assistance, try the Playground Pal chatbot that can offer alternative approaches. Or contact us directly! We are happy to help.

What's the best way to search for solutions?

Our goal is to give you multiple journey options so you can choose what works best for you. We encourage you to try and search for a solution by starting with the Playground Pal chatbot or using the "Problem to Solve" section of the solution filters. We believe this will help you solve problems with solutions that may be more efficient, saving time and money. Or, expose you to solutions you may not have otherwise thought of.

How many credit unions are using the Solution Playground?

At launch, we're just getting started! But we need your help to change that. Share the Solution Playground with your colleagues and friends.

Will you share user statistics as you grow?

Absolutely! We want to maximize the number of credit unions and solution providers on the Solution Playground. Strength in numbers will help the marketplace run as we learn more about who is using the platform, and how they are using it. Periodic updates will be provided to all users as we reach important growth milestones. Let's celebrate together as we grow together!

I want a new feature for the Solution Playground. Who should I contact?

Love it! We're always excited to hear new ideas. We want to meet the needs of our credit union users and are eager to learn more about what they need to find the perfect solution partner. Share your ideas by emailing us with your ideas.

Something is not working or I found a glitch. What should I do?

Oops! We apologize and will work to fix it as soon as possible. While the Solution Playground is new and growing, we believe you deserve to have the best experience possible, always. Thank you for your grace as we build the best credit union solution marketplace together! Please send us any identified issues, glitches, or possible improvements.

How quickly do you typically respond to support requests?

Our goal is to respond to any question or request within 2 business days. Since we are a very small team, we will be leveraging AI tools to help manage incoming inquiries and send appropriate responses when applicable. If you need a response from a human, you got it! Just email us! We will always take the time to respond directly when asked.

Can I limit communications from the Solution Playground?

What? You don't like an inbox flooded with unuseful information? We agree that there is too much communication noise. If you are receiving emails from us that don't contain valuable, timely, and actionable information, we are missing the mark.

Where do I find my email preference settings?

The best way to control the flow of communications is to set your email communication preferences for the types of the communications that are important to you. To update your email preferences, use this form.

What types of emails will I receive?

Our goal is to make all communications valuable and relevant because we know you have limited time and a stuffed inbox already. We've grouped communications into different categories to make each email focused on a specific audience and purpose. These include:

• General Communications: Platform updates and announcements (all audiences)
• Credit Union Specific Communications: Resources and insights for your institution
• Solution Provider Specific Communications: [For providers only]
• New Solution Provider Alerts: Weekly announcements of new listings
• New Ideas to Try or Test: Concepts that aren't market-ready yet
• Feature and Capability Updates: Platform improvements and new tools

To update your email preferences, use this form.