Nudging: The Global Trend
When the British government setup the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) in 2010, many questioned the effectiveness and longevity of the approach. Since its creation, governments and bodies (like the UN and World Bank) across the globe have adopted this approach. Time has proven the power of nudging and its lasting impact.
Here are just a few examples of nudges that have worked.
-In 2012, American university applications were simplified for low-income students to include pre-filled data from tax returns; this increased the likelihood of these students going to college by 25%.
-In 2014, a Qatari healthcare provider increased screenings for diabetes simply by offering them during Ramadan when most Qataris were already fasting.
-In Nigeria, the World Bank wanted to help curb corruption. They found that keeping better records in health clinics made it less likely for money to be stolen. They achieved this by giving those who maintained good records certificates to display in their clinics.
How can you nudge your customers in the right direction? To learn more about how policymakers around the globe are utilising nudges, check out this article from the Economist.