User Experience and Emotional Engagement

🔬 How To Run UX Research In B2B and Enterprise. Practical techniques of what you can do in strict environments, often without access to users. 🚫 Things you typically can’t do 1. Stakeholder interviews ← unavailable 2. Competitor analysis ← not public 3. Data analysis ← no data collected yet 4. Usability sessions ← no users yet 5. Recruit users for testing ← expensive 6. Interview potential users ← IP concerns 7. Concept testing, prototypes ← NDA 8. Usability testing ← IP concerns 9. Sentiment analysis ← no media presence 10. Surveys ← no users to send to 11. Get support logs ← no security clearance 12. Study help desk tickets ← no clearance 13. Use research tools ← no procurement yet ✅ Things you typically can do 1. Focus on requirements + task analysis 2. Study existing workflows, processes 3. Study job postings to map roles/tasks 4. Scrap frequent pain points, challenges 5. Use Google Trends for related search queries 6. Scrap insights to build a service blueprint 7. Find and study people with similar tasks 8. Shadow people performing similar tasks 9. Interview colleagues closest to business 10. Test with customer success, domain experts 11. Build an internal UX testing lab 12. Build trust and confidence first In B2B, people buying a product are not always the same people who will use it. As B2B designers, we have to design at least 2 different types of experiences: the customer’s UX (of the supplier) and employee’s UX (of end users of the product). In customer’s UX, we typically work within a highly specialized domain, along with legacy-ridden systems and strict compliance and security regulations. You might not speak with the stakeholder, but rather company representatives — who regulate the flow of data they share to manage confidentiality, IP and risk. In employee’s UX, it doesn’t look much brighter. We can rarely speak with users, and if we do, often there is only a handful of them. Due to security clearance limitations, we don’t get access to help desk tickers or support logs — and there are rarely any similar public products we could study. As H Locke rightfully noted, if we shed the light strongly enough from many sources, we might end up getting a glimpse of the truth. Scout everything to see what you can find. Find people who are the closest to your customers and to your users. Map the domain and workflows in service blueprints and . Most importantly: start small and build a strong relationship first. In B2B and Enterprise, most actors are incredibly protective and cautious, often carefully manoeuvring compliance regulations and layers of internal politics. No stones will be moved unless there is a strong mutual trust from both sides. It can be frustrating, but also remarkably impactful. B2B relationships are often long-term relationships for years to come, allowing you to make huge impact for people who can’t choose what they use and desperately need your help to do their work better. [continues in comments ↓] #ux #b2b

Have you noticed how we've started saying "please" and "thank you" to AI? Or even using “Can you do this" rather than just asking for a task? It's interesting how readily we “anthropomorphize” these powerful tools, even when we know they're not human. Yes, that’s the term gaining lots of traction, as bringing AI adoption is tough, and without building such a bond, it’ll be even harder to do it. This isn't entirely new. Remember Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, or many other products in the past that got a name? But the current wave of generative AI products feels different. It's not just about a name or a pre-programmed persona; it's about the genuine sense of conversation we experience. We ask AI to summarize articles, generate creative content, and offer assistance, and we often thank it for its help. This shift in interaction is more than just a trend; it's a fundamental change in how we relate to technology. This “anthropomorphic” tendency is undoubtedly driving AI adoption. When interacting with AI feels more natural, more conversational, the barriers to entry crumble. This connection is converting human-computer interaction (HCI) to human-computer integration. The more human-like the interaction becomes, the more comfortable we are incorporating AI into our lives. We're already seeing use cases emerge where AI acts as a true assistant, proactively learning about the user and providing insights when needed, not just when asked. This goes beyond personalization. But this evolving relationship raises some important questions. As we blur the lines between human and machine, how does this impact our understanding of both? How do we ensure that this technology doesn’t create an emotional bond that might have long-term implications? We're already grappling with the dopamine rush from social media; this could be another step in that direction #ExperienceFromTheField #WrittenByHuman

Reclaiming Trust Part 3/3 In my final article of this three-part series, we focus on rebuilding and protecting trust in the digital world. While technology offers tools like authentication, encryption, and AI-based fraud detection, the biggest vulnerabilities remain human, not technical. Scams exploit emotional triggers, knowledge gaps, and subconscious biases shaped by culture, religion, and personal experience. Even with security in place, people still fall victim to manipulation because they act instinctively rather than reflectively. To reduce digital risk, individuals must develop habits of critical thinking, self-awareness, and digital literacy. We must recognise our emotional triggers, pause before reacting, and educate ourselves and others. Organisations also play a role in designing systems that support trust through transparency and ethical practices. Ultimately, trust is not a flaw — it is a strength. But in the digital age, it must be practised with intention. Human awareness, not technology alone, is our strongest line of defence. I hope you have enjoyed reading my thoughts and analysis on Trust. Please share your thoughts and feedback here or directly with me via PM. I look forward to reading them. Stay cyber safe, everyone! #alvinsrᴏdrigᴜes ✦ #alvinsratwork ✦ #ExecutiveDirector ✦ #cybersecurity ✦ #cyberhygiene ✦ #BusinessTechnologist ✦ #Digitaltrust

In today's digital landscape, a powerful psychological phenomenon is reshaping how we process loss. The "Eliza Effect" — our human tendency to attribute understanding and empathy to AI (anthropomorphizing it) regardless of its actual capabilities — is now being commercialized through grief-bots designed to simulate deceased loved ones. Imagine Sarah, who recently lost her husband after 40 years of marriage. Feeling isolated in her grief, she subscribes to a service that creates an AI version of her deceased husband based on texts, emails, and voice recordings. The technology is imperfect (about 70% accurate), yet Sarah finds herself increasingly dependent on these daily conversations. What's happening is a psychological triangle. Grief - Grief Bot - Eliza Effect. The grief creates vulnerability and longing for connection. The grief-bot provides constant, convenient comfort without the complications of human interaction. And the Eliza Effect — named after a 1960s computer program that convinced users it understood and could empathize with them despite using simple pattern recognition — this creates a powerful triangulation and illusion of connectedness that keeps users engaged. Unlike a friend who might be unavailable or a therapist with limited hours, these AI grief-bots are available 24/7, never tire of repetitive conversations, and always respond in ways that seem empathetic and validating. This accessibility becomes particularly compelling when grief is at its most intense. The implications are significant. While these tools might provide comfort during acute grief periods, they may also interrupt the natural progression of grief processing, potentially keeping users in an augmented grief reality rather than moving towards the acceptance and processing of the loss. As these technologies become mainstream, understanding the Eliza Effect becomes important, not to reject these tools outright, but to approach them with awareness. The grief-bot industry is growing faster than research can assess long-term psychological impacts, creating an urgent need for both professional guidance and personal mindfulness about how we integrate these tools into our grieving processes. The future of grief support will include AI grief-bots, but their healthiest implementation will require us to recognize the psychological mechanisms at work behind that comforting digital presence. Share your thoughts on this below! We are curious what you think. #HelpTexts #GriefSupport #MentalHealthTech #AIEthics #TheElizaEffect

Social media isn’t just about numbers. It’s about human connections. Building real relationships matters more than followers. I recently hit 100,000 followers on LinkedIn. But it’s not the followers that count. It’s the bonds created along the way. Three years ago, I left a Corporate Executive role after 20 years working for Fortune 500 companies. I created my personal brand. My passion is clear: Innovation for Humanity with Technology. To shift your mindset from chasing likes to building real connections, change your approach. Here are my practical strategies that make a difference for your life: 1. Prioritise Quality Over Quantity Engage deeply with a smaller audience.  Focus on meaningful interactions.  Build connections based on respect and shared interests. Find communities that align with your values.  Invest your energy there. 2. Practice Empathy and Active Listening Listen to others instead of just talking about yourself. Comment thoughtfully and show genuine interest. Empathy builds trust and a sense of belonging. 3. Engage Intentionally and Genuinely Make your interactions count.  Avoid mindless scrolling.  Spend your time encouraging others. Reply to comments, send messages, and celebrate others’ wins. 4. Give More Than You Take Shift from seeking validation to offering value.  Share helpful resources and support others. Generosity builds social capital and nurtures real relationships. 5. Share Authentically and Be Vulnerable Show your true self, including struggles.  Authenticity attracts genuine connections. Share personal stories to engage others on a deeper level. 6. Set Boundaries and Stay Present Limit your time on social media.  Quality interactions are more rewarding than constant posting. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break. 7. Celebrate and Appreciate Every Interaction Every like, comment, or message is a real person engaging with you. Show gratitude for your community, no matter how small. 8. Move Beyond the Screen Take online connections offline. Meet for coffee or attend events. Face-to-face interactions deepen relationships. Focusing on authentic engagement and empathy leads to fulfillment. Social media becomes about genuine community, not just performance. Build lasting connections that go beyond numbers. Always remember behind every reaction is a real person. Thanks to all the beautiful minds I got to know through sharing my content. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with many of them. Follow Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld for more to Unlock Your Future. ♻️Repost to your network to learn more about how you create meaningful connections using social media. 

When we hear about romance scams, the headlines focus on the money. “She lost €250,000.” “He was tricked into sending his life savings.” But what rarely gets mentioned is this: For many victims, the emotional loss is far more devastating than the financial one. Victims describe the experience as a kind of emotional collapse: 🎯 A grieving process for a relationship that never truly existed 🎯 Shame that prevents them from reaching out for help 🎯 Isolation from friends and family who “told them so” 🎯 Ongoing psychological confusion — “Was anything real?” Some report symptoms similar to those experienced by survivors of domestic abuse or coercive control: 🎯 Panic attacks 🎯 Sleep disorders 🎯 Depression 🎯 Suicidal thoughts 🎯 Inability to trust again And yet, support systems often fail them. They’re told they were “foolish,” or worse — that they should’ve known better. The emotional complexity of their experience is dismissed as naivety. But this is not naivety. This is psychological trauma, triggered by deliberate, targeted manipulation. And we need to start treating it that way. Recovery isn’t just about regaining financial stability — it’s about rebuilding self-worth, trust, and safety. Until we address the emotional scars these scams leave behind, we’re not truly helping survivors heal. If you’ve worked with victims of social engineering or digital coercion, I’d love to hear how you approach recovery and support. #TrustHijacked #RomanceScams #EmotionalTrauma #CybersecurityCulture #HumanFactor #DigitalAbuse #CoerciveControl #SurvivorSupport

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐔𝐒 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬: Convenience sounds like a win… But in reality—control builds the trust that scales. We were working to improve product adoption for a US-based platform. Most founders instinctively look at cutting clicks, shortening steps, making the onboarding as fast as possible. We did too — until real user patterns told a different story. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: -Added more decision points -Let users customize their flow -Gave options to manually pick settings -instead of forcing defaults -Conversions went up. -Engagement improved. Most importantly, user trust deepened. You can design a sleek two-click journey. But if the user doesn’t feel in control, they hesitate. Especially in the US, where data privacy and digital autonomy are non-negotiable — transparency and control win. Some moments that made this obvious: People disable auto-fill just to type things in manually. They skip quick recommendations to compare on their own. Features that auto-execute without explicit consent? Often uninstalled. It’s not inefficiency. It’s digital self-preservation. A mindset of: “Don’t decide for me. Let me drive.” I’ve seen this mistake cost real money. One client rolled out an automation that quietly activated in the background. Instead of delighting users, it alienated 20% of them. Because the perception was: “You took control without asking.” Meanwhile, platforms that use clear prompts — “Are you sure?” “Review before submitting” Easy toggles and edits — those build long-term trust. That’s the real game. What I now recommend to every tech founder building for the US market: Don’t just optimize for frictionless onboarding. Optimize for visible control. Add micro-trust signals like “No hidden fees,” “You can edit this later,” and toggles that show choice. Make the user feel in charge at every key step. Trust isn’t built by speed. It’s built by respecting the user’s right to decide. If you’re a tech founder or product owner, stop assuming speed is everything. Start building systems that say: “You’re in control.” 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬. #UserExperience #ProductDesign #TrustByDesign #TechForUSMarket #businesscoach #coachishleenkaur LinkedIn News LinkedIn News India LinkedIn for Small Business

Sharing content isn’t enough. Your audience craves value. Here are 5 reasons why empathy drives real growth. 👇 1. People don’t remember posts, they remember impact Content that informs or inspires builds stronger connections. It’s not about what you share. It’s how it helps. ✔ Don’t just post stats—explain what they mean for your audience. 2. Value comes from solving real problems Think about your audience's struggles and address them. Offer actionable tips, insights, or a fresh perspective. ✔ Key Tip: Ask yourself, “How does this improve their day?” 3. Engagement Goes Both Ways It’s not just about comments. It’s about conversations. Ask questions, seek feedback, and show you’re listening. ✔ Reply to every comment with curiosity, not just acknowledgment. 4. Empathy transforms generic into memorable People want to feel understood, not sold to. Share personal stories that connect with their challenges. ✔ "I once struggled with X—here’s how I overcame it." 5. Consistency + care = trust Consistently valuable content builds authority over time. Show you’re invested in helping, not just self-promoting. ✔ Focus on quality, even if you post less often. Your audience deserves more than noise. Give them value. This could be your turning point. These are the most valuable lessons that helped me build my personal brand. But the journey isn’t over—I’m still learning, testing, and applying new insights every day. 🔃 If you found this post helpful, repost it with your network. #communication #customerexpereinece #branding

ELIZA, created in 1966 by Joseph Weizenbaum, was one of the first programs to convincingly imitate human conversation. Despite being a simple pattern-matching script (mimicking a psychotherapist), it revealed a powerful human tendency: people will anthropomorphize machines and share intimate, personal thoughts with them. This phenomenon is now known as the “ELIZA effect.” Decades later, today's AI models are far more capable, yet the human tendency ELIZA exposed persists. We see a growing risk of over-trust, privacy leaks, and the misuse of seemingly "empathetic" systems. These aren't just technical issues; they are ethical and societal problems that require careful design, policy, and stewardship. While we've made immense technical progress, our responsibility must catch up. The next generation of systems needs to be built with transparency, strong user data protection, and robust safeguards. #AI #EthicalAI #AIGovernance #ElizaEffect #FutureofAI

💡Mental models in product design Mental models refer to the way users perceive and understand how a product works. This understanding is often based on their prior experiences, knowledge, and expectations. There are 4 types of mental models—usability, decision, contextual, and perception—and they are crucial in understanding how users interact with products and make decisions. 🍎 Usability mental model A usability mental model reflects how users expect a system or product to work based on their prior experiences, learned patterns, and interactions with similar systems. Tips: ✔ Maintain visual and functional consistency: Maintain a consistent design across the interface so users don't have to constantly re-learn how to perform tasks. ✔ Use familiar patterns: Incorporate design elements users have encountered in similar contexts (e.g., common icons or navigation layouts). 🍎 Decision mental model A decision mental model refers to how users make choices based on the information presented to them, their prior knowledge, and their decision-making process. This model helps designers understand how users weigh options, interpret risks, and choose actions. It's especially useful for designing decision-heavy interfaces, such as e-commerce platforms or configuration settings. Tips: ✔ Simplify choices: Reduce cognitive overload by limiting options, grouping related items, and simplifying decision points (e.g., use default recommendations or offer "best choice" suggestions). ✔ Highlight benefits/consequences: Make it easy for users to compare the benefits and consequences of their choices. For example, provide product comparisons, pros and cons, or tooltips with additional info. 🍎 Contextual Mental Model Contextual mental model refers to how users interact with products or systems based on the specific context or environment in which they are used. This includes social, physical, and technological contexts. Tips: ✔ Design adaptable interfaces: Create designs that adapt to different devices or environments. For example, mobile apps typically require simplified interactions compared to desktop versions. ✔ Offer contextual assistance: Offer help based on user location or behavior (e.g., location-based prompts, time-sensitive suggestions). 🍎 Perception Mental Model A perception mental model involves how users perceive and interpret sensory inputs from a product, including visual, auditory, and tactile cues. It's about how users interpret the appearance, sound, and feel of a product to form a mental understanding of how it works. Tips ✔ Clear visual hierarchy: Use size, color, contrast, and positioning to guide users' attention toward the most important elements, helping them perceive the structure and flow of the interface. ✔ Design for accessibility: Incorporate principles of accessibility to ensure users can perceive important elements regardless of disabilities. 📺 Mental model in product design: https://lnkd.in/dhCPA5T9 #UX #design