HFI launches PET Design™ methodology for persuasive web design, and 'HFI Connect,'™ a worldwide community for user experience design professionals

'Global Initiatives Supported by Company's 1st Integrated Marketing Campaign, "Beyond Usability"

New York, NY – 18 Dec 2008

Global user experience design and consulting firm, Human Factors International (HFI), today announces the launch of two major user experience initiatives, and an integrated marketing campaign to support them. The launch culminates several years of R&D by the company and pilot programs with its Fortune 500 clients.

The first initiative is HFI's formal launch of PET Design™, its proprietary methodology of designing for persuasion, emotion and trust. PET Design integrates the principles of web usability with social psychology, neuro-psychology, and the science of persuasive design. In doing so, PET extends traditional web design beyond its standard context of usability, which addresses what users can do on a website, to directly influence what they will do. By focusing on the rational and emotional processes that inform decision-making, PET Design has demonstrated direct impact on website transactions and conversion rates in numerous client programs. Ultimately, it also affects companies' overall performance and business strategies.

HFI's second initiative is HFI Connect™ (connect.humanfactors.com), a new website and global community of user experience design professionals dedicated to improving the quality and business-value of online experiences through usability and persuasive design.

HFI Connect facilitates the dynamic exchange of PET Design knowledge and best practices. It is composed of several elements including blogs by HFI usability experts; peer-to-peer forums for UX professionals; special events and PET Design course schedules; and an extensive library of webinars, presentations, case studies, podcasts and white papers addressing all aspects of user experience design, with a focus on PET Design methodology, and applications.

Central to HFI Connect are real-world demonstrations of PET Design. Each month, websites of two leading companies from the same industry sector undergo a PET Design comparative analysis and expert review. For the launch of HFI Connect, the expert review compares and evaluates the websites of financial institutions Citi and HSBC's credit card businesses. Subsequent months will feature expert reviews of sites from the healthcare, entertainment and travel sectors.

The final component of HFI Connect gives visitors the direct user experience of the PET Designframework. The PET Design review Simulator, a microsite (tryPETdesign.com) that links with HFI Connect, allows visitors to upload pages from their favorite sites, or use pages loaded by others, and rate them for persuasion, emotion and trust, using a subset of PET Design tools. Sites and scores can be shared, compared and traded with other visitors.

To support the launch of these global initiatives, HFI is also launching its first integrated marketing campaign, which will roll out over the next six months. Named "Beyond Usability," which describes the fundamental premise for both PET Design and HFI Connect, the campaign introduces a new tagline for the company: "The persuasive side of usability." Elements of the campaign include websites, widgets, email marketing, collateral, direct mail, thought leadership, public relations, social media, publishing, case studies, videos, podcasts, webcasts, events, speaking and viral.

Mark Cohen, V.P., Marketing for HFI, whose staff and agency partners developed the strategy, concepts and implementation of the campaign comments, "This is the perfect time for HFI to launch PET Design and HFI Connect. Companies are looking for innovative ways to help them reframe their online business strategies and how they connect with consumers, clients and the marketplace in general. PET Design delivers tangible benefits on all fronts. The proof is in the work we do today and the results we've produced for clients over the past 20 years."

Contact:
Diane Chojnowski 
800-242-4480
diane.chojnowski@humanfactors.com

About Human Factors International (HFI)

Founded in 1988 by Dr. Eric Schaffer, Human Factors International (HFI) is the world's leading strategic advisor and provider of user experience design services to both private and public sectors. HFI helps clients design websites and products that are persuasive, engaging, and easy to use. Through integration of strategy, assessment, research, design, validation, and institutionalized usability, as well as training and certification, HFI's clients routinely experience material increases in key corporate performance indicators as a result of HFI's collaboration.

HFI clients include aflac, Baxter, British Telecom, California State Government, Caterpillar, Wal-Mart, Chevron, Citigroup, Dell, Disney, Ernst & Young, FAA, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Macy's, McGraw-Hill, McKesson, Microsoft, National Institutes of Health, Nokia, Procter & Gamble, SAP, Social Security Administration, Sony Ericsson, Toyota, and Verizon Wireless.

HFI was named to the 2008 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. Corporate headquarters are located in Fairfield, Iowa, with 12 regional offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Visit connect.humanfactors.com or www.humanfactors.com

Privacy policy

Reviewed: 18 Mar 2014

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Human Factors International, Inc., an Iowa corporation ("HFI") collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of its humanfactors.com website and any derivative or affiliated websites on which this Privacy Policy is posted (collectively, the "Website"). HFI reserves the right, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove portions of this Privacy Policy at any time by posting such changes to this page. You understand that you have the affirmative obligation to check this Privacy Policy periodically for changes, and you hereby agree to periodically review this Privacy Policy for such changes. The continued use of the Website following the posting of changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes an acceptance of those changes.

Cookies

HFI may use "cookies" or "web beacons" to track how Users use the Website. A cookie is a piece of software that a web server can store on Users’ PCs and use to identify Users should they visit the Website again. Users may adjust their web browser software if they do not wish to accept cookies. To withdraw your consent after accepting a cookie, delete the cookie from your computer.

Privacy

HFI believes that every User should know how it utilizes the information collected from Users. The Website is not directed at children under 13 years of age, and HFI does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13 years of age online. Please note that the Website may contain links to other websites. These linked sites may not be operated or controlled by HFI. HFI is not responsible for the privacy practices of these or any other websites, and you access these websites entirely at your own risk. HFI recommends that you review the privacy practices of any other websites that you choose to visit.

HFI is based, and this website is hosted, in the United States of America. If User is from the European Union or other regions of the world with laws governing data collection and use that may differ from U.S. law and User is registering an account on the Website, visiting the Website, purchasing products or services from HFI or the Website, or otherwise using the Website, please note that any personally identifiable information that User provides to HFI will be transferred to the United States. Any such personally identifiable information provided will be processed and stored in the United States by HFI or a service provider acting on its behalf. By providing your personally identifiable information, User hereby specifically and expressly consents to such transfer and processing and the uses and disclosures set forth herein.

In the course of its business, HFI may perform expert reviews, usability testing, and other consulting work where personal privacy is a concern. HFI believes in the importance of protecting personal information, and may use measures to provide this protection, including, but not limited to, using consent forms for participants or "dummy" test data.

The Information HFI Collects

Users browsing the Website without registering an account or affirmatively providing personally identifiable information to HFI do so anonymously. Otherwise, HFI may collect personally identifiable information from Users in a variety of ways. Personally identifiable information may include, without limitation, (i)contact data (such as a User’s name, mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone number); (ii)demographic data (such as a User’s zip code, age and income); (iii) financial information collected to process purchases made from HFI via the Website or otherwise (such as credit card, debit card or other payment information); (iv) other information requested during the account registration process; and (v) other information requested by our service vendors in order to provide their services. If a User communicates with HFI by e-mail or otherwise, posts messages to any forums, completes online forms, surveys or entries or otherwise interacts with or uses the features on the Website, any information provided in such communications may be collected by HFI. HFI may also collect information about how Users use the Website, for example, by tracking the number of unique views received by the pages of the Website, or the domains and IP addresses from which Users originate. While not all of the information that HFI collects from Users is personally identifiable, it may be associated with personally identifiable information that Users provide HFI through the Website or otherwise. HFI may provide ways that the User can opt out of receiving certain information from HFI. If the User opts out of certain services, User information may still be collected for those services to which the User elects to subscribe. For those elected services, this Privacy Policy will apply.

How HFI Uses Information

HFI may use personally identifiable information collected through the Website for the specific purposes for which the information was collected, to process purchases and sales of products or services offered via the Website if any, to contact Users regarding products and services offered by HFI, its parent, subsidiary and other related companies in order to otherwise to enhance Users’ experience with HFI. HFI may also use information collected through the Website for research regarding the effectiveness of the Website and the business planning, marketing, advertising and sales efforts of HFI. HFI does not sell any User information under any circumstances.

Disclosure of Information

HFI may disclose personally identifiable information collected from Users to its parent, subsidiary and other related companies to use the information for the purposes outlined above, as necessary to provide the services offered by HFI and to provide the Website itself, and for the specific purposes for which the information was collected. HFI may disclose personally identifiable information at the request of law enforcement or governmental agencies or in response to subpoenas, court orders or other legal process, to establish, protect or exercise HFI’s legal or other rights or to defend against a legal claim or as otherwise required or allowed by law. HFI may disclose personally identifiable information in order to protect the rights, property or safety of a User or any other person. HFI may disclose personally identifiable information to investigate or prevent a violation by User of any contractual or other relationship with HFI or the perpetration of any illegal or harmful activity. HFI may also disclose aggregate, anonymous data based on information collected from Users to investors and potential partners. Finally, HFI may disclose or transfer personally identifiable information collected from Users in connection with or in contemplation of a sale of its assets or business or a merger, consolidation or other reorganization of its business.

Personal Information as Provided by User

If a User includes such User’s personally identifiable information as part of the User posting to the Website, such information may be made available to any parties using the Website. HFI does not edit or otherwise remove such information from User information before it is posted on the Website. If a User does not wish to have such User’s personally identifiable information made available in this manner, such User must remove any such information before posting. HFI is not liable for any damages caused or incurred due to personally identifiable information made available in the foregoing manners. For example, a User posts on an HFI-administered forum would be considered Personal Information as provided by User and subject to the terms of this section.

Security of Information

Information about Users that is maintained on HFI’s systems or those of its service providers is protected using industry standard security measures. However, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and HFI cannot guarantee that the information submitted to, maintained on or transmitted from its systems will be completely secure. HFI is not responsible for the circumvention of any privacy settings or security measures relating to the Website by any Users or third parties.

Correcting, Updating, Accessing or Removing Personal Information

If a User’s personally identifiable information changes, or if a User no longer desires to receive non-account specific information from HFI, HFI will endeavor to provide a way to correct, update and/or remove that User’s previously-provided personal data. This can be done by emailing a request to HFI at hfi@humanfactors.com. Additionally, you may request access to the personally identifiable information as collected by HFI by sending a request to HFI as set forth above. Please note that in certain circumstances, HFI may not be able to completely remove a User’s information from its systems. For example, HFI may retain a User’s personal information for legitimate business purposes, if it may be necessary to prevent fraud or future abuse, for account recovery purposes, if required by law or as retained in HFI’s data backup systems or cached or archived pages. All retained personally identifiable information will continue to be subject to the terms of the Privacy Policy to which the User has previously agreed.

Contacting HFI

If you have any questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, you may contact HFI via any of the following methods:
Human Factors International, Inc.
PO Box 2020
1680 highway 1, STE 3600
Fairfield IA 52556
hfi@humanfactors.com
(800) 242-4480

Terms and Conditions for Public Training Courses

Reviewed: 18 Mar 2014

Cancellation of Course by HFI

HFI reserves the right to cancel any course up to 14 (fourteen) days prior to the first day of the course. Registrants will be promptly notified and will receive a full refund or be transferred to the equivalent class of their choice within a 12-month period. HFI is not responsible for travel expenses or any costs that may be incurred as a result of cancellations.

Cancellation of Course by Participants (All regions except India)

$100 processing fee if cancelling within two weeks of course start date.

Cancellation / Transfer by Participants (India)

4 Pack + Exam registration: Rs. 10,000 per participant processing fee (to be paid by the participant) if cancelling or transferring the course (4 Pack-CUA/CXA) registration before three weeks from the course start date. No refund or carry forward of the course fees if cancelling or transferring the course registration within three weeks before the course start date.

Cancellation / Transfer by Participants (Online Courses)

$100 processing fee if cancelling within two weeks of course start date. No cancellations or refunds less than two weeks prior to the first course start date.

Individual Modules: Rs. 3,000 per participant ‘per module’ processing fee (to be paid by the participant) if cancelling or transferring the course (any Individual HFI course) registration before three weeks from the course start date. No refund or carry forward of the course fees if cancelling or transferring the course registration within three weeks before the course start date.

Exam: Rs. 3,000 per participant processing fee (to be paid by the participant) if cancelling or transferring the pre agreed CUA/CXA exam date before three weeks from the examination date. No refund or carry forward of the exam fees if requesting/cancelling or transferring the CUA/CXA exam within three weeks before the examination date.

No Recording Permitted

There will be no audio or video recording allowed in class. Students who have any disability that might affect their performance in this class are encouraged to speak with the instructor at the beginning of the class.

Course Materials Copyright

The course and training materials and all other handouts provided by HFI during the course are published, copyrighted works proprietary and owned exclusively by HFI. The course participant does not acquire title nor ownership rights in any of these materials. Further the course participant agrees not to reproduce, modify, and/or convert to electronic format (i.e., softcopy) any of the materials received from or provided by HFI. The materials provided in the class are for the sole use of the class participant. HFI does not provide the materials in electronic format to the participants in public or onsite courses.