Data Breaches Have Little Impact on Consumer Behavior

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Data Breach ResearchNews of hackers stealing customer information from all types of businesses seems to be an almost monthly occurrence.  From the most recent hack of patient information from Anthem, a major health insurance provider, to the massive breach of payment information from Target just before the holidays in 2013, consumers are more aware than ever that the information they entrust to businesses are vulnerable to theft.

It’s one thing when these computer criminals steal email addresses or phone numbers, but the vitality of consumers lives (and bank accounts) can be at stake when credit card information and social security numbers fall into the wrong hand.  While businesses are beefing up their IT systems to protect their customer’s information and providing free identify theft monitoring and protection when hack do occur, the key question is what changes actually happen in consumer behavior as a result of a hack? Read more

The World is Changing

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The world is changingThe world is changing. It always has been, and it always will. As it turns, will you be ready? Will your organization have the courage to re-learn, change, shift, and make anew?

Too often, we talk about how the consumer mindset is changing. Naturally, the movement to the digital landscape provides a clear example. The way consumers interact with ads, how they consume content, how social media has taken over traditional forms of communication, and more. Not often enough do we look internally at how these very same trends are impacting our meetings, the way we collaborate, our decision making, and our progress. Read more

We’ve joined the Blogconomy

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It’s hard to ignore blogs these days. And, in fact, it doesn’t seem like many of us even try to. We actually rely on blogs and trust the solutions and ideas they present. We respond to the emotions they make us feel, and we are subconsciously influenced by them. Let’s consider these blog statistics from a recent survey:

  1. 81% of U.S. online consumers trust information and advice from blogs. / Source: BlogHer
  2. 61% of U.S. online consumers made a purchase based on blog recommendations. / Source: BlogHer

Why is that we trust blogs so much? There’s no doubt that it’s a part of the digital movement we’ve experienced over the past decade. But could it also have something to do with our declining trust in public institutions, industry, and leaders? In a 2013 study by Edelman, less than one in five people believe that a business or government leader will tell the truth when confronted with a difficult situation. Said another way, only 18% expect a leader to tell the truth. This is a telling contrast from the trust shown in blogs.

We have experienced a turning point where trust in corporations and governments has fallen, and it’s been transferred to the individual. The individual voice. The ones that are willing to make their opinion known. The people daring enough to create. Create products. Create services. Create content.

We’re here to participate in this blog economy. Yes, the goal is also to drive web traffic to our site and hopefully start more conversations with more people. But it’s also a place to introduce our ideas to the industry, and, most important, to inspire researchers, marketers, and strategists to go beyond. Beyond the surface to find deeper meaning and deeper insights – in themselves, in their team, and in their customers. That will inspire action.

Will Krieger