I know I’ve been batting on for a while about why powerpoint presentations (and especially research debriefs) need to have less words and more pictures. I’d actually like to amend that assertion. They should have more pictures – and more words. I got handed an ethnographic research report last week, which had travelled from client … Continue reading MORE words, more pictures please
Category: market research
Planner teach thyself
Since my last employer went through a fairly wobbly time in the 18 months prior to my departure there wasn’t any spare cash for training. So it struck me the other day that I’d probably gone three years without attending a formal, face-to-face training course. Which doesn’t do much for the whole Continuous Professional Development … Continue reading Planner teach thyself
a scenic tour of Britain’s viewing facilities
So I’ve been On Tour this week doing groups in Viewing for a Top Secret Retail Thing. As a compare-and-contrast exercise I’ve certainly come to wonder at the difference in décor, welcome and catering across different viewing facilities. Perhaps we need some kind of star rating for them? One star if you can’t swing a … Continue reading a scenic tour of Britain’s viewing facilities
why Lists make the research world go round
I love Lists (check out my talk at Bettakultcha if you need any convincing). So I was cheered when I saw this tweet from Andrea: http://twitter.com/#!/diemkay/status/73847444823224320 I replied with: http://twitter.com/#!/gemma_T/status/74074458377302016 There is a point to all this work-specific list keeping. Although the online world has made it much easier to find places, it doesn’t necessarily … Continue reading why Lists make the research world go round
Less words, more (and better) images
I’ve been witness to some truly terrible Crimes Against Powerpoint in the last couple of months, mostly when one of my agency clients send me old qual research reports as background to projects. I still can’t believe quite how appalling some of them are, from the over-use of dodgy clipart and cheesy stock photography (blurry … Continue reading Less words, more (and better) images
When does Research cross the line and become Pitch Fodder?
I was talking to a client recently about a one-off focus group they wanted me to moderate to support a pitch and possibly went slightly overboard emphasising how I wasn’t prepared to simply produce pitch fodder and therefore wouldn’t tolerate agency people sitting in observing the group, being ‘encouraged’ as to what the research recommendations … Continue reading When does Research cross the line and become Pitch Fodder?
my radical suggestion for dealing with difficult respondents
The past couple of weeks have seen me tearing up and down the country moderating focus groups as part of an insight project I’m working on. Writing a feedback note to the recruitment agency I use, it struck me that there’s nearly always one respondent in the group that you’d rather had stayed at home, … Continue reading my radical suggestion for dealing with difficult respondents
Top Tips for Account Planners doing their own focus groups
I’ve been freelancing as a Planner for for nearly a year now and I’m doing a lot more qualitative research than I did as an Agency Type. I think partly this is because I no longer sit in a room full of quallies ready to head off to Milton Keynes with a discussion guide at … Continue reading Top Tips for Account Planners doing their own focus groups
is your research being subverted by its subjects?
I sent a load of old Uni textbooks off to the charity shop the other week and one called ‘Compensation’ included lots of cautionary tales about compensation schemes that were supposed to boost productivity/quality/customer service but ended up having the opposite effect. Like the vegetable processing plant that started paying their quality checkers extra for … Continue reading is your research being subverted by its subjects?
great insight isn’t just about what people *said*
I watched the next episode of Mary Portas: Secret Shopper last night. Not really a good idea because she winds me up, but this week’s focus was on the sofa industry and since one of the agencies I work for has a client in that sector I thought I’d better tune in. What really set me … Continue reading great insight isn’t just about what people *said*