Summary
Insights wither and die when they gather dust on the shelf. Excellence in research is only excellence when data is turned to insight, those insights made actionable and are told in stories which engage, inspire and provoke. Our esteemed panel of research leaders will be sharing their best practices for ensuring that insights are heard, acted upon and given the power to become received wisdom which drive business’ forward.
Key Insights
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A researcher must first ensure leadership knows their name and work to earn an invitation to strategic conversations, as Andy did at Instagram.
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Having a seat at the table means understanding its power dynamics—including seniority, function, gender, race—and tailoring your message accordingly, as Nini advises.
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Meetings are just one part of communication; following up directly, like via Slack or emails, can be equally impactful.
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Persistent, strategic repetition of key messages (‘beating the drum’) is often necessary to achieve organizational action on insights.
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Researchers often feel like whispers in a void; the ability to stop, acknowledge resistance, and engage stakeholders about their trust needs can reclaim influence.
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Great research artifacts include: a clear insight (what), a meaningful recommendation (so what), and specific accountability and prioritization (now what).
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Innovative distribution methods like Andy's fortune cookies with research insights can dramatically increase engagement and visibility within organizations.
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Organizational readiness and timing significantly affect whether research insights gain traction; even excellent work may only be impactful long after delivery.
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Synthesizing complex research into concise narratives is a researcher's superpower and helps fuel organizational understanding and decision-making.
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Research frameworks and models can become viral hooks within organizations, helping insights become part of the company culture and language.
Notable Quotes
"When the world is silent, even one voice makes a difference."
"If you don’t speak up at the table, you won’t be invited back."
"I sat at the edge of the table at first, but then Kevin said, ‘Come take a seat at the table.’"
"The meeting is not a one-time event; there's a before and an after you need to engage with."
"What’s the worst that’s gonna happen here? That mindset helped me overcome imposter syndrome."
"Food delivery apps in China combine high-frequency, low-margin businesses with low-frequency, high-margin ones to become profitable."
"A research report is essentially the coffin where insights go to die."
"The power of the stop is awesome—stop, notice the chatter, and address it head on."
"Synthesizing a great deal of data and making new sense out of it is like a chef’s kiss for executives."
"Persistence is about beating the drum; it can feel annoying, but it’s how change happens."
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