I am pleased to be a guest on the Professional Panel at the UCSD CSSA’s Cognitive Science Conference January 16th, 2010.
Since I was introduced to the idea of cognitive mapping as an undergrad student in psychology and marketing many years ago, where an individual’s specific way of taking in information was measured and mapped, I have been interested in the differences in how people take in information and how that information needs to be presented for maximum effectiveness. The outcome of this understanding can be used in many areas, beyond the lab or universities, such as product and service development and go to market decisions.
In order to prepare for the conference panel session, that focuses on the applications of cognitive science and jobsin the field, the folks at the University of California San Diego asked me what my primary interests are in cognitive science. It was interesting to write this out since I do not think about how I apply cognitive science to what I do on a day-to-day basis in business. My top four interests from my experiences and practical standpoints are:
1. Customer experience and user experience and the development and effectiveness of products, services and brands
2. Buyer behavior (business and consumer) and how it helps companies to connect with valued customers
3. Cognitions of markets and how they affect a business’s go-to-market methods and performance including communications, pricing, distribution and timing. In many markets understanding how people take in and process information is not an option for significant revenue, market share and advantage.
4. How understanding prospects and customers cognitive profiles can reduce the uncertainty of business decisions and increase product success and profitability.
These certainly take much of what one CEO told me was “the guesswork and mystery” out of many product, service development and go to market decisions including: product customer experience creation, communication content development, media choices and distribution options. Why not get it as right as you can from the start? It cost much less than making multiple iterative changes and adjustments after the product or service is introduced into the market.
Additionally, some markets are not forgiving. They will not let you try and try again; they are not waiting for you or me to get it. Other opportunities may still be there after multiple iterations and adjustments, but the profit margins may be untenable. It is when you get the offer, how and when you engage prospective customers dialed-in early in the process that is to your advantage. It is applying the “cognition of people within the markets you serve” that is at the heart and success of that advantage.
UCSD CSSA’s Cognitive Science Conference 2010 Date: January 16th, 2010
Time: 10am-5:00pm, then Happy Hour!
Place: UCSD Cognitive Science Buildings
Cost: The event (and lunch) are on us!
Contact us: cssa.ucsd@gmail.com; http://www.z8z.com/cogscicon2010/Home.html
What is this conference (“CogSci Con 2010”)?
CogSci Con is an abbreviation of “Cognitive Science Conference”. The goal of this conference is to create connections between all levels of the Cognitive Science community. This year is the 5th anniversary of the first Cognitive Science Conference put on by the dedicated Executive Board of UCSD’s Cognitive Science Student Association. Whether you are new to Cognitive Science and here to learn what Cognitive Science is about in general or a seasoned CogSci grad, join us as we put our minds together with this year’s theme: “Let’s Brainstorm”. CogSci Con ’10 will be held on UCSD campus in San Diego, CA, USA. UCSD is one of the top universities to study Cognitive Science. The first Cognitive Science Department in the world was established here in 1986.
Our full day of events will include giving exclusive tours of many of the Cognitive Science labs, speaking with Professors and students about aspects of Cognitive Science research, presentations, a research poster session and a lunch hour social.
I look forward to seeing you there!
