A selection of articles and essays on consumer behaviour, research, and decision-making.
While no longer updated regularly, this archive reflects some of the themes and thinking behind Philip’s work.
The Pschology of Business Cards
Recently I was asked to speak on BBC Radio Scotland about the use of business cards: does anyone still use them and, if so, what role to do they play? There’s no denying that there’s something very old-fashioned about business c…
The Secret to Creating a Successful Brand
Normally, when writing an article of this kind, I’d keep the punchline to the end. But I’ll tell you upfront what the secret is: it’s having the right focused message. What’s interesting is why this is so important. …
How Advertisings Creates False Memories
Last Thursday I stepped off the train in Brussels are was greeted by bright sunshine; it felt like the middle of summer. I decided not to take the metro, but stay above ground and wander through the city. Never having visited before …
The Opportunity in Opportunity Cost
As the father of two children I see it as my job to give them some appreciation of money. Also, given my work, I show them how they’re influenced by shops and manufacturers to buy particular products and, once they’ve bought the…
The Influence of Others: Social Proof
A few weeks ago I was at a friend’s house sitting chatting in his kitchen, when his 11 year old son came in and poured himself a glass of milk. In the process of pouring it from the container some splashed out of the glass and onto th…
The Influence of Worms on Democracy
Let me say straight away that I’m not talking about wriggly things in the garden that are doing good things for soil quality. I’m referring to the measure of voter approval that is sometimes displayed during election debates. In…
Mood and Consumer Choice
In a previous article, written for this website by David Parnell, he explained that thinking burns glucose and that, it might well be beneficial for retailers to provide customers with access to a small energy boost, perhaps a mint or drink…
Food, Mood & Surprising Behaviour
In a previous article, written for this website by David Parnell, he explained that thinking burns glucose and that, it might well be beneficial for retailers to provide customers with access to a small energy boost, perhaps a mint or drink…
Playing with Time: Appealing to the Unconscious Mind
Last week, my mobile phone provider didn’t send me a SIM card they had promised. In my conversation with the call centre I explained that visiting their store wasn’t a good use of my time; something they might have guessed from …