Podcast #42 - adapting to our changing world (7)

In episode 42 of the Growth Series podcast, Katie Pepper, External Communications Manager at Accord, is joined by Neil Bage, Director of Behavioural Insight at Be-IQ. Neil’s career has led him on a fascinating journey. Originally starting as a P.E. teacher, today Neil is a specialist in human behaviour, focusing on how people make consumer decisions and measure risk. Five years ago, he founded Be-IQ and quickly built a strong reputation in the financial services industry. Together, Neil and Katie discuss the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on human behaviour and delve into how consumers can form biased opinions which affect their behaviour at this difficult time.

Neil describes how the enormous amount of uncertainty has had an overwhelming effect on the human psyche, hampering our ability to make effective decisions. He outlines how we should all expect to feel high levels of stress and anxiety as our minds struggle to process the vast amount of information we receive about the pandemic.

In this context, the role of mortgage advisers has changed. They need to act as “co-pilots” to their clients, helping them both navigate the uncertainty of our present situation and manage the vast amount of information available. Neil also describes the importance of bias on client behaviour. He outlines how the way information is received online often leads to the formation of a biased view that does not necessarily reflect the external reality.

The Growth Series is a dedicated resource that aims to help mortgage brokers grow their business using digital and communications marketing techniques. For more hints and tips on how to grow your business, you can sign up to the Growth Series for free, here.

1.08 - 44.08 discuss:

• The effect of uncertainty on current behaviour
• How ‘information overload’ is a blessing and a curse
• The problem of confirmation bias
• The importance of unconscious processes in decision making
• Why one size never fits all
• Finding clear information about the pandemic
• Our ability to distort risk
• Information processing in the unconscious mind
• Probability neglect
• The problem with the ‘fight or flight’ response
• The importance of remaining calm with clients
  
  44.08 - 45.18 Outro