BrandKnew September 2013 May 2014 | Page 16

5 Tips for Getting Consumers Comfortable Sharing Data BETWEEN NEWS OF NSA SPYING AND TARGET HACKING, PEOPLE ARE WARIER THAN EVER ABOUT SHARING THEIR PERSONAL INFO. THEODORE FORBATH OF FROG OFFERS FIVE TIPS FOR BUILDING CONSUMERS’ TRUST. Theodore Forbath Personally, I’m having trouble giving it up. By “it,” I mean information about me, details that I’ve worked hard to safeguard and keep private. In fact, the same companies that are now soliciting, or simply taking, my personal data still encourage me to create strong user IDs and passwords to I’VE SEEN HOW RELINQUISHING SOME OF MY AUTONOMY CAN BE A GOOD THING. protect my privacy. This can sometimes feel like a conflicting message to the consumer. After working in the product strategy, design, and development industries for nearly 25 years, I’ve seen how relinquishing some of my autonomy can be a good thing. Through smartphones, tablets, watches, Google Glasses, and Fitbits, companies are using my personal data to help me in ways that feel comforting instead of unnerving. Here are five tips for brand leaders to consider when harvesting personal data so consumers feel okay about giving it up.