Designing a digital directory
Real time connections, made easy
July 2020
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on what a digital directory means to you, if you’d like to have your input, fill out this form.
When we think about digitally connecting the market, it’s important to understand what kinds of behaviours – and tools – will influence how users find the people they’re looking for. And how can we design to support and streamline this experience?
On the surface, it seems like a ‘simple’ digital directory. But this underplays the potential of what a centralised online data directory can become. Let’s imagine for a moment that the entire market (and beyond) was unified in one digital space. How do you find the person you’re looking for?
Would you...
- Search a contact by name?
- Send them an instant message if you could see they were active and online?
- Search by organisation? Or by team?
- Search a for a relevant class of business, or if you are a broker, quickly check someone’s risk appetite?
"On the surface, it seems like a ‘simple’ digital directory. But this underplays the potential of what a centralised online data directory can become."
Other considerations might include:
- What’s the minimum information you would be looking for?
- What would become too much?
- How could you update this information, if necessary?
- Would you do this yourself? Or would you expect it done for you?
- We know this only works if users commit to updating information so that it stays relevant over time.
- As part of our design process, we are also thinking about common pain points, including cold calling strangers versus connecting with someone you've already built a relationship with, and how users might connect with people outside of their inner circle.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on the above points, if you’d like to have your input, fill out this form.