PREVIOUS WORK
An online financial platform required a systematic approach to analyzing and categorizing investors based on behavioral and organizational traits. ⇒ We developed a series of scientific on-line assessments that measured behavioral characteristics and provided quantitative insight into decision-making, financial values, risk characteristics, and investment goals. Assessments were validated among 4000+ investors. Results led to the identification of eight main investor types with shared financial attitudes and behavioral preferences.
A financial technology company found that many of their clients (i.e., institutional and individual investors) expressed risk preferences that were at odds with their actual investments. Moreover, some clients’ risk tolerance experienced sudden and unpredictable swings when market volatility increased. ⇒ By using cutting-edge psychometric approaches, we invented a patent-pending method to compare investors’ conscious self-perception to their unconscious risk tendencies and to quantitatively predict how their risk tolerance will change in light of heightened market volatility.
A group of Wall Street banks needed to better understand traders’ behavioral and personality characteristics leading to trading profits. ⇒ We conducted one of the most comprehensive studies ever on traders’ behavioral characteristics and the psychological factors at play in their trading decisions. The study gathered and analyzed data from more than 400 professional traders. Participating trading floors received executive summaries with detailed findings on the behavioral predictors of trading success and systematic comparisons of their trading floor to their peers.
A bank wanted to establish a new program to support their retail customers, including a systematic assessment of financial risk tolerance. ⇒ We developed an entertaining computerized interaction consisting of questions and scenarios regarding customers’ financial and behavioral preferences. The assessment resulted in a numeric personal risk score and compatible investment categories.
A real estate financing group undergoing structural change sought to improve their communication and group dynamic. ⇒ We designed and conducted a customized intensive 2-day workshop for their team members. Rated as extremely helpful by participants, the workshop integrated self assessments, feedback from others, applied team and communication exercises, and relevant theoretical knowledge about behavioral and psychological processes in groups.
A hedge fund wanted to attract new investors and strengthen its ties with already existing investors. ⇒ We prepared a detailed executive presentation, integrating relevant findings from behavioral finance and systematic analyses of industry research on the behavioral factors involved in fund subscriptions and redemptions. We then presented to the board and successfully proposed specific changes to increase satisfaction among existing investors.
After a company merger, a money management firm experienced constant conflict among team members. ⇒ We selected and administered relevant behavioral assessments. Based on the results, the management of the firm quickly identified the underlying reason for the conflict and was able to resolve it.
A financial technology company wanted to develop a brief financial decision making questionnaire for their website. They wanted the questionnaire to pique users’ interest and result in high participation rates. ⇒ We analyzed existing scientific assessments and converted a standard questionnaire into an attractive gamified test. The new test engaged investors by asking them to simply identify their preferences in a series of selected images. In turn, participants received immediate feedback on their results and personalized information regarding their financial decision-making.
A publicly listed company needed to change their performance appraisal system. Management and employees had grown skeptical of its fairness and practical value. ⇒ Thus, our data analysis of performance ratings identified a number of inherent rating biases. We developed a new, simplified performance appraisal system. Relevant and clearly defined rating scales as well as behaviorally anchored categories significantly improved the quality of ratings and the benefits of systematic feedback.
A financial technology company sought to provide professional investors with novel behavioral information about managed funds. The information needed to provide customers with an exclusive competitive advantage. It also had to be objective and free of possible self-report bias. ⇒ We cooperated with leading experts in finance to translate fund information into underlying behavioral characteristics. The results allowed investors to compare thousands of funds on key behavioral dimensions, and to identify changes in each fund’s behavioral propensities over time.
A company wanted to determine assessments and behavioral dimensions that would allow them to differentiate between investment managers, and to identify behavioral manager “types”. ⇒ We conducted a number of semi-structured interviews and mini-assessments with high-level investment managers who were considered experts in their fields. Interview transcriptions were coded, with all relevant content systematically analyzed. Participants received individual reports with comprehensive results.
Individual financial and investment professionals (traders, investors, investment managers, advisors, etc.) sought to better understand professional dynamics and roles, efficiently cope with challenges, and improve the results of their decisions. ⇒ Tailored to each professional, specific situation, and individual goal, we offered our expert professional coaching: − Supported confidential, nonjudgmental, and informed exploration of professional experience − Recognized crucial behavioral components in individuals’ professional and decision-making role − Informed with behavioral expertise − Successfully reached measurable outcomes.