Hivos: a piece of tape to save energy.

The concept of nudge is the ultimate ‘acts, not ads’. Not telling people what they should do, but using behavioural economics, choice architecture and small interventions to change people’s behaviour. That’s why I love Hivos and Boondoggle’s new experiment: can a piece of tape help to save energy?

Can a piece of tape help to nudge people not to take the elevator but the stairs? Rationally, the stairs are the better option. Energy-saving, a small and simple workout and often even faster. But still, many prefer the elevator. How can we change this with small interventions? That was the start of a remarkable experiment by Hivos and Boondoggle.

For a few hours, a camera recorded a simple experiment: will lines or footsteps nudge people to take the stairs instead of the elevator, and thus save energy? Well… they did. Approximately 75% was nudged into taking the energy-saving (and healthy) option.

The concept is related to the Volkswagen Fun Theory (although I have always questioned the link between Volkswagen and fun), which is dedicated to “the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better”. And personally, I think this is the way to go for brands: remarkable acts with a communication spotlight. Results that aren’t about awareness or likes, but about really changing people’s behaviour for the better.

It also lifts Hivos from being yet another non-profit organisation to an organisation that really makes a positive change and has a cause worth joining: small interventions to save energy are something that can appeal to pretty much anyone.

So kudos to Hivos and the Boondoggle team. I’m really looking forward to future nudge experiments.

Oh… and no, nudge is not the same as gamification. Gamification is a mere footnote in the huge set of choice architecture and behavioural economics tactics.

Written in 2011, left as it was. Where I took it later: Change the default.

Original: A piece of tape to save energy? Hivos' small experiment, 7 December 2011. Historical links may no longer work.