Inside the Nudge Unit: How small changes can make a big difference

The product arrived in time, and was packaged well.The book itself has helped me to understand, and has also given me an overview of behavioural economics. I found it a helpful guide of real life scenarios to complement an elective module as part of my degree programme. It's written brilliantly, and in my opinion is suitable for a wide range of readers interested in ways decisions are made by policy makers, and ways these decisions could be more efficient.

A useful introduction to the work of the BIT - Behavioural Insights Team that was nascent in the civil service under the Blair & Brown government. The Cameroons took on much of the work which is now taken for granted. The writing style is a little bit dry and the uneducated reader would find the subjects a bit dull. There are nods to the big names in the field, both popular authors (Thinking Fast & Slow) and obscure. For those already interested in Psychology there are few surprises. However, the book is reassuring for those who want to understand the validity of the role of behavioural psychology in modern life.

Politics and Governance is often seen as an industry of big ideas and [almost] inhuman decision making, but the Behavioural Insights Team of the British Government specialise in the gentle reframes and paternal influences that don't make the front page news, but could seriously impact your annual utility bills or the effectiveness of our healthcare system for the better of us all. In part this book feels like a simple overview of the work the BIT has done since its inception in 2010, and perhaps it would have been nice to have a closer understanding of exactly how the team operates when handling a project [in a later book maybe?], but nevertheless it serves as a wonderful window into the complexities not only faced by policy makers, but the empathy, care and attention that goes into deploying them to the public. Behavioural Insights are beginning to be addressed and utilised by many types of businesses and this book serves as an excellent introduction to the guys who were among the first to understand their power and use them effectively.

Another great book from David Halpern, this time drawing on his practical experience of setting up the world famous Nudge-Unit and the vast number of trials and experiments that the team has run. A must read for anyone working in government or public policy.He covers the broadest range of policy issues imaginable, from energy use to tax collection, housing to criminal justice, and health; and demonstrates how the practical application of insights from psychology and behavioural sciences can lead to better outcomes (or sometimes how they don't).

OK, some of the data eg increasing UK pension uptake only tells part of the story, the first part being Gordon Brown's complete destruction of trust in the system . He promised "A Day" was the last change. He lied. At the time employees under the age of 30 were saying why should I join a scheme which lasts at least 40 years and which the Govt can change the terms of at will? It assumes HM Government only nudges benevolently. The Covid adverts for jabs, which the British Psychology profession branded as PsyOps, is a case when nudging goes too far. Well intentioned, but politicians will do anything to save their hides.

Great read for anyone involved in product or service design. Could be slightly more succinct, but otherwise a great read.

This book combines deep knowledge of the field, matchless experience within the nudge unit, and a charming writing style. Especially welcome is the author's nudge of the nudge unit, and of behavioural economics more generally, towards paying more attention to the design of public institutions and policies that enable people to live better lives, as measured by their happiness with how those lives are going.

This is a subject that I have a general interest in, especially as my job involves a lot of implementing change. Maintained my interest throughout and also have some practical tips to take away too. One of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while.