Designing a human-first data experience

Across all scenarios, we noted some patterns:

• Established relationships are essential. To some extent or another, we’re all being digitally monitored. But when we presented scenarios involving third-party cookies, geo-tracking, or device listening, consumers almost universally scored them lower than the scenarios that did not involve these in-depth tracking methods. Scores for these scenarios were especially low if we did not explicitly mention that the consumer had some type of relationship with the brand (for example, purchased from the brand before or provided the brand with an email address). On the other hand, almost every one of our scenarios that were grounded in brand relationships—and shied away from in-depth tracking—were ranked by customers as the most helpful interactions. These relationships included some customer benefit such as a special offer or timely repurchase reminder. The fact that these scenarios did not include in-depth tracking signals the importance of customer agency. In other words, these scenarios deploy data on the customer’s terms.

• Implementing in-depth tracking is a balancing act—even with an established relationship. While in-depth tracking scenarios with an established relationship received generally more positive responses than those without one, they are still a tier below not using in-depth tracking at all. Of our three scenarios that combined established relationships with in-depth tracking, only one—providing a digital offer to customers while they browse aisles at their favorite store (38% net helpful score)—performed similarly to the “established relationship” scenarios.

Taken together, we see that cultivating strong relationships starts with building trust and providing helpful data experiences that provide value—and agency—to consumers.

A recipe for cultivating trust: Transparency, value, and security

Since trust is so important to building strong customer relationships, how can brands do this well? One way is by breaking trust into actionable components.

The power—and value—of intent

Recently, we studied 7,500 consumers and employees to better understand what drives trust and, as importantly, how trust predicts future behavior. This analysis indicated that four signals formed the basis of trust: humanity, transparency, reliability, and capability (see our article on trust in the consumer industry to learn more).¹

When it comes to trusted data experiences, transparency and humanity are the most important. In fact, when brands demonstrate transparency and humanity, customers are 2.5 times more likely to provide personal information that helps improve the product, and 1.7 times more likely to feel they have received more value than expected.²

Chris Stamper, president of Sixteen Mile Strategy Group and former CMO of a top North American bank, sees similar themes coming to market: “Transparency and engagement with the customer on how you plan to use the data is critical … The second lens is value demonstration, which is how you help inform the customer of value creation and let the customer opt in and opt out of the things you’re delivering.”³

Competency: Where cyber helps brands keep the promises they make

Trust will erode if even the most transparent messages (with the best intentions) fall short of the promises brands make with their customers. In fact, customers who perceive brands as reliable and competent are 1.6 times more likely to provide the brand with their digital information.⁴ Thus, another key enabler of trust involves brands demonstrating their competency in keeping customer data secure.

Brands also need to build trust across their own ranks—especially when C-suite leaders aren’t used to working closely together toward that goal. This means not being territorial and saying that customer data security is another team’s responsibility. As stewards of brand reputation, marketers can work closely with their cybersecurity leaders from the outset of the engagement.

Marissa Solis, senior vice president of portfolio marketing, partnerships, and media at Frito Lay, notes the shift taking place. While Solis acknowledges that a few years ago, cyber would not be top of mind when thinking about engagement strategies, much has changed, as “security is one of the table stakes to building consumer trust … The security piece, the information systems piece, or the technology piece is critical because they’re setting the foundation of that infrastructure, so they work together with us as we’re trying to paint the picture and the vision for that [consumer] engagement.”⁵

Together, a CMO and a CISO can understand the implications of data collection choices and work to minimize risks to the customer. For instance, if a shopping app is being developed by a third-party vendor, the CMO and CISO can work together to ensure that the app development includes comprehensive security assessments and testing so that the customer data remains protected.

Navigating the consumer privacy landscape is an increasingly difficult endeavor. Yet, we also know that using consumer data transparently and always with their needs in mind can lead to better decisions and more helpful brand relationships overall—absent the creepy factor. Building trust is hard. See figure 2 for tips on how to get started designing a human-first data experience.