Conference
Three Predictions for Marketing Research in 2016
By: David Shanker, CEO, Lightspeed GMI, The Americas
Marketing
research is an evolving industry; with opportunities for those that can
quickly adjust to the changes and discover creative means to do more with less.
Clients expect deeper, enriched results at an accelerated pace. I see three
trends in our industry in 2016:
research is an evolving industry; with opportunities for those that can
quickly adjust to the changes and discover creative means to do more with less.
Clients expect deeper, enriched results at an accelerated pace. I see three
trends in our industry in 2016:
1.
Think
like a start-up, act like a researcher: Automation is the newest 'game
changer' in our industry and will continue to be. But while automation will be
a catalyst for change, new models will need to be created to meet client
demand. Faster, better, cheaper hasn't gone away ' as a matter of fact, it's
been amplified by a business climate that demands more ' much more ' without
the sacrifice of quality. Companies that can think, act, and execute like a start-up
will prosper.
Think
like a start-up, act like a researcher: Automation is the newest 'game
changer' in our industry and will continue to be. But while automation will be
a catalyst for change, new models will need to be created to meet client
demand. Faster, better, cheaper hasn't gone away ' as a matter of fact, it's
been amplified by a business climate that demands more ' much more ' without
the sacrifice of quality. Companies that can think, act, and execute like a start-up
will prosper.
2.
Delivering
the survey design agenda: Many researchers continue to struggle with
survey length, and as innovators in the survey design space it is up to us to
lead the way' we are the research Sherpas. Guiding clients to design shorter
and more creative surveys for a fast growing group of mobile respondents
demands thoughtful design and structure. We need to communicate with consumers
in the way they wish to be communicated with. Surveys that are not device
agnostic are no longer an option. And, we can now better leverage easily
accessible behavioral data to help with crafting shorter surveys.
Delivering
the survey design agenda: Many researchers continue to struggle with
survey length, and as innovators in the survey design space it is up to us to
lead the way' we are the research Sherpas. Guiding clients to design shorter
and more creative surveys for a fast growing group of mobile respondents
demands thoughtful design and structure. We need to communicate with consumers
in the way they wish to be communicated with. Surveys that are not device
agnostic are no longer an option. And, we can now better leverage easily
accessible behavioral data to help with crafting shorter surveys.
3.
Shifting
our teams from insights to innovation: It's all about the people --
and here I specifically mean employees. Companies with a culture of innovation
will thrive. Building and maintaining a workforce of highly engaged employees
is critical to our success, and something on which we will keenly focus in
2016. The quality of what we put to market, of the surveys we put in field ' is
all a testament to the hard work of our people. We would not be where we are
without them.
Shifting
our teams from insights to innovation: It's all about the people --
and here I specifically mean employees. Companies with a culture of innovation
will thrive. Building and maintaining a workforce of highly engaged employees
is critical to our success, and something on which we will keenly focus in
2016. The quality of what we put to market, of the surveys we put in field ' is
all a testament to the hard work of our people. We would not be where we are
without them.
Every minute we are online, we create data. Real time
insights and predictive analytics build better strategies, better business
performances. And as researchers, we need to raise two key questions in the
year ahead. Are we doing things right? Are we doing the right things?
insights and predictive analytics build better strategies, better business
performances. And as researchers, we need to raise two key questions in the
year ahead. Are we doing things right? Are we doing the right things?
From mobile design to panelist engagement, new opportunities
will emerge in the coming year. Overall I would say that 2016 will be a
challenging, yet interesting year. Companies that can leave a client meeting
and return the next day with solutions will be the darling of the industry. We
are in for massive change.
will emerge in the coming year. Overall I would say that 2016 will be a
challenging, yet interesting year. Companies that can leave a client meeting
and return the next day with solutions will be the darling of the industry. We
are in for massive change.
About the Author: David
leads the Lightspeed business across the Americas region, unifying and focusing
systems and expertise to meet clients' dynamic needs and consistently exceed
their expectations. A veteran of 20-plus years in sales, marketing,
operations and research, he has served in senior management roles in
established, start-up and turn-around business situations
leads the Lightspeed business across the Americas region, unifying and focusing
systems and expertise to meet clients' dynamic needs and consistently exceed
their expectations. A veteran of 20-plus years in sales, marketing,
operations and research, he has served in senior management roles in
established, start-up and turn-around business situations
