Significant Insights

My latest "The Edge" column written for Significant Insights Are Panel Discussions the World's Worst Focus Group? Read on and I will tell you why I think they are. Whilst the fightback has started (ably assisted by the dynamism of Chris Martin, Paul Hudson and Lucy Davison) we can surely do more to rid ourselves of these bland agreement sessions where little is debated and even less is learnt. H/T to Andrew Tindall and Dhananjay (DJ) Khanna for the use of my favourite marketing cartoon of all time. Co-incidentally, Mark Ritson posted on this very subject yesterday so I must be right! Thanks to James Endersby (Opinium) for the opportunity #insight #conference #marketresearch

On The Edge, with Danny Russell: "The World’s Worst Focus Group?" Significant Insights Columnist Danny Russell questions why the 'Panel Discussion' is so ubiquitous with events and conferences in our sector, suggesting that there has to be a better way, and of course, as always, he's not holding back! https://lnkd.in/eYxjPtt7

A fascinating insight into how our Chair, Ruth Hinton, got started on her career path and why she still gets a buzz out of working in clientside research. Of course, she also talks about her passion for the aims of the Working Well Together Charter and shares this advice for all of us working in the sector... "There are times when we need to be more intentional and empathetic in how we collaborate, as this allows people to do their best work and leads to better outcomes. No one intends to be difficult, but when we’re under pressure or if we lack appreciation for what it’s like on the other side, there is a risk of causing unnecessary stress or inefficiency." Link to the full article below ?? #mrx #marketresearch #insights #WorkingWellTogether

Huge thanks to everyone who made it to our pre-Quirks networking mixer at Urban Press Winery last night! It was truly a pleasure connecting with so many of you. We hope you enjoyed the wine, the company, and the relaxed atmosphere. Wishing everyone a productive and insightful day at Quirks! Our team will be on the conference floor, so please don't hesitate to say hello. We're excited to share how you can become part of the Research Club community and benefit from collaborative learning and shared expertise. Let's connect! This event was supported by our Platinum Sponsor:?Torfac Torfac: ???????????????????? ????????-?????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ??????????????????. With thanks to: Gold Sponsor:?Walr Bronze Sponsors: Fieldwork | eMazing-retailing | i-view Studios?| Significant Insights | Prevision Research?| XYZ Field|?Quirk's Media

“Walk a mile in their boots”: It’s rather challenging on the client side right now. In my role at Opinium, Chair of the MRS, and interviewing them for Significant Insights, I talk to client-side insight teams all the time, and what I’m hearing right now is that, as well as it being a generally difficult time economically, they are wrestling with quite a few other challenges that are more specific to the role. FYI fellow agencies. Clients say - direct quotes: - "We need new skills but there’s no time or support to develop them. The job has changed so much in recent years – arguably more so than on the agency side." Insight leaders now need to be strategic advisors and communications experts, to manage data and make meaning from multiple sources and to navigate internal politics whilst optimising tech stacks and evaluating new tools. It’s exhausting – and there’s typically no training for much of this because until comparatively recently the role was focused on managing budgets and working with agencies to conduct projects. "And there’s also no time to inspire junior team members and help them grow and develop these new skills either, so the challenge compounds." - "We’re fighting for budget and having to defend the team to the rest of the organisation. Despite everything we do, the wider organisation doesn’t always see our value." "They see us as gatekeepers, standing in the way of creativity and innovation" [actual quote!]. Either "we are overly rigorous and concerned with method or we are insufficiently scientific and predictive, with no proven ROI. Some even think we are both." Our budgets are modest when compared to those for marketing and comms, but we’re still not seen as value for money, and we’re always having to do more with less. And now the business thinks that we can do everything for free with AI. - It can feel lonely in insights – especially if you don’t have a big team. "Always having to justify our existence and defend our research when it conflicts with the gut instinct of the CMO can be isolating. We’re trying to build relationships across the company, but we’ve traditionally been siloed so it can be a slog." Sometimes I’m having these conversations in my role as Chair of the MRS; there is a lot that we and other industry bodies such as MRS, AURA and ESOMAR can do to help, such as providing resources and training, as well as just offering the support that comes with being part of a network of other professional researchers. But sometimes I’m having these conversations as CEO of Opinium, and I’m sure that there is a lot more that agencies like ours can do to help our clients too. I’d love to start a debate about all of this. If you are on the client side – does this resonate with you? What else is causing you stress at the moment? And what can agency partners do to support you?

Ongoing support: We're excited to share that OvationMR have renewed their commitment and support for Significant Insights, and the Global 30 Under 30. OvationMR has thrown their full weight behind helping make our sector a destination career and championing the next generation of insight leaders. Thank you Team OvationMR! And a big thanks to James Whaley for his enthusiasm and generous spirit. Ovation and Significant Insights will be holding events in New York and London this year to champion our sector, thanks to his energy and vision! Global 30 Under 30 Important 2025 Dates: Nominations open:?1st May 2025 Nominations close:?30th September 2025 30-Under-30 2025 announced:?28th November 2025 The Entry Requirements for 2025: We’ll want to find the insight leaders, innovators, creators and thinkers, under 30 years of age, who are making big strides in the world of insights. This could be reflected in their day-to-day work for clients and/or stakeholders, or the influence and impact they have made at their organisation, and/or the wider research and insights industry, or through their use of data and insights to help accelerate positive change in the world. And they/you have to be a member of the global research and insights community and 29 or younger on November 28th, 2025. Who made the 2024 #MRX30u30 List: https://lnkd.in/gzMJ_Bsu

It sucks having to give negative feedback. Even when you roll it up in that old chestnut of a rebrand… ‘constructive’. Here’s Zoe Fenn to the rescue! https://lnkd.in/eb-mSvMN

Delighted that Norstat is partnering with Significant Insights and their global drive to get more young people to join the research industry. Recognising some of the best under 30 talent around the world is a great initiative!

Welcome on board: We're excited to share that Norstat has thrown their support behind the 2025 Global 30 Under 30 List! Their commitment to helping make our sector a destination career and championing the next generation of insight leaders is evident and clear. Thank you Norstat! And a big thanks to Andrew O'Connell, Managing Director Norstat UK and their Communications Director Matthew Sutton for driving their commitment. Global 30 Under 30 Important 2025 Dates: Nominations open:?1st May 2025 Nominations close:?30th September 2025 30-Under-30 2025 announced:?28th November 2025 The Entry Requirements for 2025: We’ll want to find the insight leaders, innovators, creators and thinkers, under 30 years of age, who are making big strides in the world of insights. This could be reflected in their day-to-day work for clients and/or stakeholders, or the influence and impact they have made at their organisation, and/or the wider research and insights industry, or through their use of data and insights to help accelerate positive change in the world. And they/you have to be a member of the global research and insights community and 29 or younger on November 28th, 2025. Who made the 2024 #MRX30u30 List: https://lnkd.in/gzMJ_Bsu

Way to go, our founder, James Endersby (Opinium). Please continue to champion diversity, equity and inclusion, and our future insight leaders. As you always say, let’s make insights a #DestinationCareer!