Verified is a digital supplement to the reference checking process. References are supplied by the technology vendors. References are interviewed, confidentially, by a Verified expert. Verified does not compensate the references, and prospects have confidence that they are hearing a real customer provide real feedback. With Verified experts asking the questions, the prospect gets context and added depth – making it a much more valuable experience for the prospect.

Using Verified, prospects are able to hear from references without having to schedule a call. It is possible, however, that some prospects will want to have a follow-up call with a particular reference. This is done via the same process being used today. The difference is that the follow-up call is richer and can address specific questions from the prospect, since the prospect has the benefit of having viewed the Verified interview and can ask more precise follow-up questions.

No. The vendor is still responsible for cultivating customers and signing them up to be references. However, with Verified, it’s easier to engage customers and turn them into references, since the “ask” is easy. Instead of countless hours spent on the phone, a reference now does a 30-minute interview with a Verified expert, and the Verified app makes it possible for new prospects to watch the interview without having to speak with the reference.