Conference
Insights as a Vehicle for Influence: Build a Culture of Adaptation & Exploration
By: Amanda Ciccatelli,
Content Marketing & Social Media Strategist, Informa
Content Marketing & Social Media Strategist, Informa
Insights have become a vehicle for influencing marketing and
ultimately, the world. That's why next in our Insights as a Vehicle for
Influence series, we sat down with Ben Smithee, CEO of the Smithee Group. In
our conversation, he shed some light on how research is changing in the digital
age, how researchers can stay relevant in the changing insights space, why it's
important to be agile in market research, and more.
ultimately, the world. That's why next in our Insights as a Vehicle for
Influence series, we sat down with Ben Smithee, CEO of the Smithee Group. In
our conversation, he shed some light on how research is changing in the digital
age, how researchers can stay relevant in the changing insights space, why it's
important to be agile in market research, and more.
Here's what Smithee had to say:
How are research
operations teams changing in the digital age?
operations teams changing in the digital age?
Smithee: I think
the core change is the breadth and diversity of skill sets, paired with the
speed and agility required of the team members. People are forced to know much
more with the impact of digital/social, and a new mindset and skill set is
required.
the core change is the breadth and diversity of skill sets, paired with the
speed and agility required of the team members. People are forced to know much
more with the impact of digital/social, and a new mindset and skill set is
required.
What is your advice
to traditional researchers trying to stay relevant in the fast changing market
research and consumer insights space?
to traditional researchers trying to stay relevant in the fast changing market
research and consumer insights space?
Smithee: The
biggest things are embracing change and staying up-to-date with content.
Spending the first 30-minutes of your day consuming solid content on the
current state of digital, decision intelligence, social, etc. is absolutely
key! It's how I stay on the front-end of what's going on and important.
biggest things are embracing change and staying up-to-date with content.
Spending the first 30-minutes of your day consuming solid content on the
current state of digital, decision intelligence, social, etc. is absolutely
key! It's how I stay on the front-end of what's going on and important.
What is the best way
to build a high performance team in today's MRX world?
to build a high performance team in today's MRX world?
Smithee: Build a
culture of adaptation and exploration. We still must provide excellence in
intelligence and a trusted source for our clients and internal clients, but a
high-performance team is one that embraces new and exploratory methods and
strategies. The environment is changing so fast, you can't always resort to a
'proven' approach. The ability to embrace and execute in this manner requires a
strong culture.
culture of adaptation and exploration. We still must provide excellence in
intelligence and a trusted source for our clients and internal clients, but a
high-performance team is one that embraces new and exploratory methods and
strategies. The environment is changing so fast, you can't always resort to a
'proven' approach. The ability to embrace and execute in this manner requires a
strong culture.
Why is it important
to be an agile market research today?
to be an agile market research today?
Smithee: The
consumer climate is changing too fast to not be agile. Decisions are needed in
real-time or near real-time, and businesses require accurate but timely data
and intelligence. This is true for both the qual and quant worlds. Time is a
luxury, and there are so many more needs in today's business environment. Being
agile is truly a requirement.
consumer climate is changing too fast to not be agile. Decisions are needed in
real-time or near real-time, and businesses require accurate but timely data
and intelligence. This is true for both the qual and quant worlds. Time is a
luxury, and there are so many more needs in today's business environment. Being
agile is truly a requirement.
How can a company
create a research innovation culture?
create a research innovation culture?
Smithee: It
really starts at the core. It's not enough to talk about it or preach
'innovation.' It has to be something that is truly integrated into a company's
culture. The unwillingness to just default to the old and traditional, and the
insistence to continually ask "is this the best way' is imperative. Challenge
your team members to learn. Support education, and spend on keeping your team
at the top of their game. Organizations must truly invest in the future of
their company, by investing in the future of their team members. Instill a
culture of respectful challenging, and a more democratic approach. Make sure
your younger team members have a voice, and make sure your seasoned team
members stay up-to-date on the current topics and tactics.
really starts at the core. It's not enough to talk about it or preach
'innovation.' It has to be something that is truly integrated into a company's
culture. The unwillingness to just default to the old and traditional, and the
insistence to continually ask "is this the best way' is imperative. Challenge
your team members to learn. Support education, and spend on keeping your team
at the top of their game. Organizations must truly invest in the future of
their company, by investing in the future of their team members. Instill a
culture of respectful challenging, and a more democratic approach. Make sure
your younger team members have a voice, and make sure your seasoned team
members stay up-to-date on the current topics and tactics.