Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Howard

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Michael Howard

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Best podcasts about Michael Howard

Latest podcast episodes about Michael Howard

Now that's Significant
Understanding Culture: The struggle over meaning with Anastasia Kārklīna Gabriel

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 40:50


Welcome to Now that's Significant, a market research podcast hosted by Michael Howard, the Head of Marketing at Infotools. This week, Dr. Anastasia Kārklīna Gabriel, an award-winning author and cultural theorist, joins the show to discuss the role of culture within marketing and her new book "Cultural Intelligence for Marketers." Key points of discussion: 1. Cultural intelligence defined: Anastasia defines cultural intelligence as the practice of understanding culture and its trajectory to assess a brand's role and opportunities within the cultural landscape. She stresses the importance of integrating cultural insight into marketing strategies to ensure inclusivity and resonance with diverse audiences. 2. Bridging academia and business: Anastasia shares her journey from academia to industry, underscoring the gap between academic cultural studies and its application in marketing. Her work aims to bridge this divide, providing marketers tools to understand and navigate cultural dynamics effectively. 3. Performative inclusion and missteps: The conversation covers common errors brands make, such as oversimplifying target audiences and neglecting cultural contexts. Anastasia explains how brands can avoid performative activism by thoroughly understanding the cultural nuances of their audiences. 4. Forces framework: Anastasia discusses her book's "Forces Framework," which includes elements like culture, communication, critical consciousness, and community. This framework guides marketers in integrating cultural understanding into effective communication strategies. 5. Impact of fear in marketing: Anastasia argues that fear of missteps in cultural marketing, while understandable, should not paralyze brands from engaging meaningfully with cultural issues. Embracing this fear can drive brands to practice cultural intelligence more rigorously and authentically. How can your organization better understand and integrate cultural intelligence into its marketing strategies to ensure meaningful and inclusive consumer engagement? Thank you for tuning into this episode of Now that's Significant. If you enjoyed the discussion and want to hear more, please subscribe, share it with your colleagues, and leave a review. Check out our other episodes for more insights into consumer intelligence and market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Imagining a world where consumers owned & benefited from their data with Wes Chaar

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 46:50


On this episode of Now that's Significant, a market research podcast, hosted by Michael Howard, Wes Chaar, a former aerospace engineer turned analytics expert, discusses transforming data ownership from agencies and corporations back to individuals, promoting a paradigm shift in data management. The discussion posed some challenging considerations, which included benefits and incentives. Key points of discussion include: 1. Personal Data Ownership: Wes introduces a revolutionary idea to transition personal data control from corporations to individuals, where data can be consented, controlled, and potentially monetized by individuals themselves. 2. Economic Impact of Personal Data: The conversation unveils the significant contribution of personal data to the economy, emphasizing the need for individuals to have control over their data, akin to managing financial assets. 3. Technological Enablement: Mike and Wes delve into how technology, such as blockchain, can facilitate new models of data ownership that ensure data authenticity and traceability, empowering individuals to control their data. 4. Ethical Considerations in AI and Analytics: Wes shares his concerns about the ethical implications encountered during his career in analytics and AI, particularly around emotion prediction and its potential for manipulation. 5. Future of Market Research: The discussion covers the opportunity for market researchers to lead this change by creating open, consumer-centric data management platforms that respect privacy and democratize data usage. A question to consider... How can market researchers facilitate the shift towards personal data ownership, ensuring ethical practices and empowering consumers? Thank you for tuning into this episode of Now that's Significant. If you found this discussion valuable, please subscribe, share it with others, and consider leaving a review. Listen to our other episodes for more insights into market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
An open letter to the consumer insights industry with Keith Rinzler

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 45:21


Welcome to the 150th episode of Now that's Significant, a market research podcast hosted by Michael Howard. In this special episode, Keith Rinzler, a seasoned marketing and media entrepreneur, joins to discuss the pressing issue of data fraud in the market research industry and the necessary steps to combat it. Key points of discussion include... 1. Open Letter to the Consumer Insights Industry: Keith discusses his open letter aimed at addressing the prevailing data fraud crisis in the market research industry, emphasizing the urgency for reform to restore the industry's credibility. 2. Impact of Fraudulent Responses: The conversation highlights how fraudulent responses are a result of systemic issues within the sample industry, including the commoditization and mistreatment of respondents, which have led to a decline in data quality. 3. Role of Synthetic Data: Keith explores the potential shift towards synthetic data as a cost-effective alternative, while cautioning that it cannot fully replace human responses due to its reliance on historical data. 4. Push vs. Pull Model: The push model, as advocated by Keith, is presented as a solution to reduce fraud by eliminating the incentive for respondents to take multiple surveys, contrasting with the pull model that contributes to fraudulent activities. 5. Steps for Industry Improvement: Keith outlines actionable steps for customers, market researchers, and sample providers, including the importance of forming 100% guaranteed human panels and reducing reliance on marketplaces to ensure data integrity. A question to consider... How can your organization contribute to the integrity of market research data and what measures can be taken to ensure respondents are valued and incentivized appropriately? Thank you for tuning into this milestone 150th episode of Now that's Significant. If you found this discussion valuable, please subscribe, share it with others, and consider leaving a review. Listen to our other episodes for more insights into market research.

The Exposed Negative
#78 - Fireside w/ Tom & Greg - Exploring the camera club and Foto release

The Exposed Negative

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 56:14


In this conversation, Greg and Tom discuss their experiences with studio setups, the Camera Club in London, the launch of the FOTO app, and their anticipation for the upcoming Photography Show. They share insights on the challenges of studio ownership, the benefits of community spaces for photographers, and the excitement surrounding new camera technology. In this engaging conversation, Greg Funnell and Tom Barnes delve into various aspects of photography, discussing camera features, preferences, and the latest innovations in the industry. They share personal experiences with brands like Leica and Fuji, explore the importance of quality studio equipment, and debate the practicality of electronic viewfinders. The duo also reflects on the challenges of editorial shoots, the significance of flexibility in photography, and even touch on the humorous side of passport photos. With insights into their workflows and gear preferences, this episode is a treasure trove for photography enthusiasts.Thank you for listening to The Exposed Negative Podcast. Running this podcast takes a lot of time and effort, and we hope you have found it helpful and interesting. If you would like to support us by buying us a beer or coffee, or by helping with the running costs of the show, we would greatly appreciate it. Please consider signing up for our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/exposednegative) or making a one-time donation through PayPal (https://www.paypal.me/exposednegative). Thank you for your support! Here are the show notes;The Camera Club, London: www.thecameraclub.co.ukwww.instagram.com/cameraclubukThe Foto App: https://fotoapp.co/Foto App episode with Michael Howard: https://www.exposednegative.com/exposed-negative-podcast-045-social-media-the-future-w-foto-app-founder-michael-howard/Aputure XT52: https://aputure.com/pages/storm-xt52Fuji GFX Rumours: https://www.fujirumors.com/fujifilm-gfx-fixed-lens-camera-coming-in-2025-your-questions-and-my-riddles-and-your-help/Leica EVF M camera rumour: https://leicarumors.com/2025/02/08/new-leica-m-camera-with-electronic-viewfinder-is-rumored-to-be-announced-later-this-year.aspx/Avenger Mega Boom: https://aj-s.co.uk/products/mega-boom-black-telescopic-with-remote-pan-tilt-and-rotate-12-3-6m?variant=38038829072564¤cy=GBP&gad_source=1Avenger Baby Stand A0030B: https://www.manfrotto.com/uk-en/baby-stand-30-aluminium-black-a0030b/Profoto A2: https://aj-s.co.uk/products/profoto-a2Manfrotto 244 Arms: https://www.manfrotto.com/uk-en/photo-variable-friction-arm-with-bracket-244/

The Kokomo Press Podcast
They/Them Energy feat. Alexa Eden & Michael Howard

The Kokomo Press Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 93:54


This week on the Kokomo Press Podcast, Host Jordan Danger Grainger and Co-Host Cortni Richardson are joined by a Panel of Funny People chosen solely by Cortni herself!Kokomo Press Comedy Open Mic Regular Michael Howard is back in the Studio once again with his unique and spastic brand on stream-of-conscious comedyAlso Returning for her Second Appearance on the Show, is Muncie and Be Here Now Comedy Liaison, Alexa Eden; fresh off a set with us at Gas City Brewing Co.We talked about our first jobs, Artificial Intelligence, our favorite movies, the woman born with two Virginias, Kanye West, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and THEY/THEM ENERGY!!!It's a wild and crazy episode full of funny people so you've clicked on the right episode to get back into the comedic insanity that is, the Kokomo Press Podcast!  @thekokomopress on YouTube, Facebook, and instagram.Jordan Grainger is @ultrajoyed on twitter, facebook, and tiktok.Jordan Bell is @hypocrisy_jones on all major platforms.Cortni Richardson is @cortni88 on instagram and @cortni_lean on twitter.Brian West is @veinypeckerpete on twitter and @westjr.brian on instagram.

Now that's Significant
More than market research: Insight, influence, impact with Febronia Ruocco

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 30:31


Welcome to Now that's Significant, a market research podcast hosted by Michael Howard. In this episode, Febronia Ruocco, a global insights and analytics director, returns to discuss the importance of insights, influence, and impact in the market research industry, particularly as we look at 2025 and beyond. Key points of this episode's discussion... 1. The Role of Insights: Febronia discusses the need to focus on delivering insights that drive commercial agendas, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond just data and research rigor to uncover hidden truths about customer behavior. 2. Influence in the C-Suite: The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the objectives of different C-suite members, like the CFO and CMO, to effectively communicate and influence business strategies. 3. Impact and Commercial Language: Febronia stresses the significance of using fiscal language to convey the potential commercial impact of insights, including ROI and risk mitigation, to ensure insights lead to actionable business decisions. 4. The Integration of AI: The conversation explores how AI can be leveraged to streamline tasks, allowing insights professionals to focus more on strategic thinking and influence, while maintaining human oversight and critical thinking. 5. Building a Collaborative Environment: Febronia shares the benefits of working collaboratively with agencies and stakeholders to integrate various data sets, enhancing the value and impact of insights across the organization. A question to consider... How can your organization better integrate insights into strategic decision-making processes to ensure they lead to impactful and commercially beneficial outcomes? Thanks for tuning into this episode of Now that's Significant. If you found this discussion insightful, please subscribe, share it with others, and consider leaving a review. Listen to our other episodes for more insights into market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Bridging the gap: Understanding needs of older adults with Sherri Dansby

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 28:37


On this episode of Now that's Significant, a market research podcast, host Michael Howard is joined by Sherri Dansby to discuss the crucial role of market research in addressing the needs of older adults, especially those facing social isolation or living with disabilities. Key points discussed on this episode 1. Social Isolation Among Older Adults: Sherri highlights the prevalence of social isolation among older adults, citing statistics from the National Institute on Aging and AARP Foundation. She discusses factors contributing to isolation, such as loss of a spouse and health issues limiting mobility. 2. Health Impacts of Isolation: The conversation explores how social isolation can lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, as well as physical health problems, including increased risk for heart disease and cognitive decline. 3. Role of Market Research: Sherri emphasizes the potential of market research to uncover the needs and preferences of older adults, helping to develop products and services that cater to their specific requirements. 4. Technological Solutions: The discussion covers how technologies like virtual reality and wearables can help mitigate social isolation and health issues among seniors by providing immersive experiences and real-time health monitoring. 5. Inclusive Research Practices: Sherri discusses the importance of inclusive research practices to ensure representation of older adults with disabilities, advocating for accessible methodologies and collaboration with advocacy groups. A question to consider: How can market research methodologies be adapted to better include and address the needs of older adults, particularly those who are isolated or living with disabilities? Thanks for tuning into this episode of Now that's Significant. If you found this discussion insightful, please subscribe, share it with others, and consider leaving a review. Listen to our other episodes for more insights into market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Leveraging AI implicit testing, and integrated methodologies with Todd Kirby

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 38:17


In this episode of Now that's Significant, hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, the discussion features Todd Kirby, a seasoned marketing research and insights professional. The episode explores the intersection of marketing research with AI, advanced research methodologies, and technology platforms, and how they can collectively transform the industry. Todd shares his insights on leveraging these tools to enhance advertising effectiveness and consumer connection. Key takeaways from this episode 1. Integration of AI and Research: Todd emphasizes the transformative potential of AI when integrated with traditional and advanced market research methodologies. This integration can streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance data quality, enabling more strategic decision-making. 2. Advanced Research Methods: The use of behavioral science, emotion-based measures, and implicit psychology at scale is now affordable and accessible. These methods provide deeper insights into consumer behavior, enhancing the impact of marketing strategies. 3. Importance of Platforms: The development of user-friendly technology platforms allows clients to access insights more efficiently. This technological advancement supports quicker decision-making and facilitates a closer connection between brands and consumers. 4. Bridging Silos for Success: Todd highlights the need for collaboration between creatives, marketers, and researchers to overcome biases and silos. By working together, the industry can achieve significant improvements in consumer insights and advertising effectiveness. 5. Future Opportunities in Market Research: Todd is optimistic about the future, predicting that consumer insights will become seamlessly integrated into strategic decision-making. Embracing new technologies and methodologies will be crucial for the industry's growth and success. Don't miss out on more episodes of Now that's Significant for further insights into market research and innovation. Tune in on major podcast platforms to stay informed about the latest trends and strategies in consumer insights. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
How survey fraud impacts research quality and biases critical KPIs with Steven Snell

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 40:21


Welcome to 'Now that's Significant,' a market research podcast hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools. In this episode, Steven Snell, PhD, head of research at Rep Data, shares insights on data quality, combating online fraud, and research strategy in market research. Key points in this discussion 1. Fraud in Market Research: Steven discusses the challenges of detecting fraud in survey research, highlighting how sophisticated fraudsters have become, making traditional detection methods less effective. 2. Impact of Fraudulent Data: The conversation addresses how fraudulent data can skew insights by dragging results towards the middle, making it difficult to derive actionable insights. 3. Role of Technology in Combating Fraud: Steven emphasizes the importance of using technology to fight fraud, noting that while tech enables fraud, it is also essential in detecting and preventing it. 4. Ownership of Data Quality: The discussion covers who should be responsible for data quality, suggesting that researchers, panel providers, and tech solutions must collaborate to ensure high-quality data. 5. Future of Fraud Prevention: Steven shares his views on the evolving landscape of fraud prevention, advocating for a comprehensive approach that includes pre-survey, during-survey, and post-survey measures. A question to consider: How can your organization implement more robust fraud detection and prevention measures to ensure the integrity of your data insights? If you found this discussion valuable, please share it with others, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review. Listen to our other episodes for more insights into market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Insights teams moving beyond just interesting with Elizabeth Oates

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 31:38


In this episode of Now that's Significant, a market research podcast hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, we're joined by Elizabeth Oates, a seasoned insights leader and author of 'More Than Just Interesting'. Elizabeth shares her expertise on building impactful insights functions that drive business action. Key points of discussion 1. The Role of Insights Leaders: Elizabeth emphasizes the responsibility insights leaders have to push businesses forward, advocating for actionable and impactful insights that shape business strategies. 2. From Insights to Action: She discusses the importance of starting with the intended action in mind to ensure insights are aligned with business objectives and lead to tangible outcomes. 3. Strategic Alignment: Elizabeth highlights the necessity for insights teams to align with organizational strategic goals, ensuring that insights are relevant and influential in decision-making processes. 4. Skills for Success: The conversation covers essential skills for insights professionals, including building partnerships and proactive planning, to enhance the impact of their work. 5. Future of Insights: Elizabeth shares her vision for the evolving role of insights in the age of AI and data analytics, stressing the continued importance of keeping the human element at the core of insights work. Reflecting on Elizabeth's insights, how can your organization better align its insights function with strategic goals to ensure impactful decision-making? If you found this discussion valuable, be sure to explore Elizabeth's book 'More Than Just Interesting' on Amazon, and listen to our other episodes for more expert insights into market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a specialist market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
The truth is out there – integrity in market insights with Jo Secher

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 29:42


This episode of Now that's Significant features host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools and Jo Secher, a freelance researcher. Amidst the rise of misinformation (in this case that which is more unintentional than intentional), Jo joined the show to discuss the challenges of interpreting quantitative data and the role of researchers in distinguishing fact from fiction. 1. Misinterpretation of Quantitative Data: Jo highlights how quantitative data is often misinterpreted by staff in non-research roles, which can lead to significant errors in decision-making. 2. The Rise of Misinformation: The conversation explores the increasing difficulty in distinguishing fact from fiction and the responsibility researchers have in acting as credible fact-checkers. 3. Professional Ethics in Research: Jo emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethical standards in research to preserve trust in the market research profession. 4. Understanding Probabilistic Data: The discussion covers the need for researchers to communicate the inherent uncertainties in data to avoid misinterpretation by stakeholders. 5. Examples of Misinterpreted Data: Jo shares real-world examples where data misinterpretation led to strategic errors, underlining the importance of presenting data in an accessible manner. Question of the episode that you can consider… How can your organization improve its processes to ensure that data insights are accurately interpreted and effectively communicated to decision-makers? Thank you for tuning into this episode of 'Now that's Significant.' If you found this discussion valuable, please share it with others, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review. Listen to our other episodes for more insights into market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare
War is a Political Instrument

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 8:20


After taking a Christmas break, I am picking up on my summaries of the Ancient Art of Modern Warfare. In the previous episode, I described the nature of war as violence intended to compel an opponent to submit to your will. Although this idea is described by Carl von Clausewitz in his magnum opus, On War, the Prussian philosopher of war is best known for the aphorism that war is a continuation of politics by other means. It is a catchy phrase, but that translation leaves a lot to be desired and misses key points Clausewitz wanted to make. As I see it, the key take-aways from this idea are: War must be viewed as an instrument of national policy – one among many. War is not the policy; war is inserted to the ongoing political engagement to achieve the policy objective.  Therefore, it is important to know what that policy is – the objective the policy intends to achieve. That is, to understand what a nation intends to achieve by war, before embarking upon it. It follows then, that the use of force in war must be consistent with the aims of that policy. Not all wars have the policy objective of overthrowing the enemy. A suspension of active warfare does not necessarily mean abandoning the strategic policy objective. If you want to end a war, achieve or change the policy objective.   Reference: v. Clausewitz, C., On War, (Michael Howard and Peter Paret Ed. And Tansl.) © 1976 Princeton University Press, New Jersey, USA Music: Holst, G. The Planets: Mars, Bringer of War, Internet Archives, https://archive.org/details/GustavHolstThePlanetsMarsTheBringerOfWar_201709 Traditional, The Army Strings, Garryowen (Public Domain(

Now that's Significant
Market research in an age of skepticism with Lauren Cheatham

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 51:44


Thanks for listening to this episode of 'Now that's Significant,' a market research podcast hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools. Joining him is Lauren Cheatham, a behavioral scientist and principal quantitative researcher at Roblox. Lauren shares her journey from being a professional equestrian to a leading figure in market research, discussing the challenges and significance of getting stakeholder buy-in for research endeavors. Key points of discussion 1. The Journey to Market Research: Lauren narrates her unconventional path from equestrian pursuits to discovering a passion for research during her master's degree at Northwestern University, which eventually led to a PhD at Stanford. 2. Stakeholder Buy-In: A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the importance of getting buy-in from cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Lauren emphasizes relationship building and understanding the organizational dynamics to effectively integrate research insights into business strategies. 3. Skepticism in Research: The conversation delves into the skepticism surrounding market research, especially in tech companies where data science dominates. Lauren highlights the need to demonstrate the rigor and unique value of qualitative and quantitative research to overcome this skepticism. 4. Framework for Gaining Support: Lauren outlines her framework for gaining stakeholder support, which includes building personal relationships, making difficult stakeholders allies, and educating teams about the importance and nuances of research. 5. Future of Research: The episode concludes with Lauren expressing optimism for the future of research, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer behavior and leveraging technological advancements to enhance research productivity. Reflecting on Lauren's insights, how can organizations better integrate market research into their strategic decision-making processes to ensure that consumer insights are at the forefront? If you find value in this discussion, be sure to listen to our other episodes for more expert insights on market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a specialist market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Lisa Miller on market research, the business of joy, and reflecting on was it worth it?

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 45:35


In this episode of Now that's Significant, host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, is joined by Lisa Miller, President of Lisa W Miller and Associates and author of 'The Business of Joy.' The discussion revolves around the concept of joy as a vital component for economic and business growth, particularly in challenging times like the pandemic. Lisa shares her journey of exploring joy through consumer insights and how it can drive both personal and professional success. Key takeaways from this episode 1. Joy as an Economic Driver: Lisa highlights that joy is not just a feel-good factor but a powerful economic driver. When joy surpasses fear, it can propel economic recovery and business success. 2. Evolving Consumer Insights: Over her 30-year career, Lisa has learned to adapt her approach to consumer insights, emphasizing the need to stay innovative and sharp in understanding consumer behavior. 3. Impact of the Pandemic on Joy: During the pandemic, Lisa conducted ongoing surveys to track levels of joy versus fear. Her data revealed that joy significantly impacts economic activity and recovery rates. 4. Human Connection in Business: The book and Lisa's research stress the importance of fostering human connections in both personal and professional settings to enhance workplace culture and innovation. 5. Joy in Business Strategy: Lisa argues that incorporating joy into business strategies can help companies adapt to the new normal by reminding consumers why they love certain brands and encouraging customer engagement. Tune in on major podcast platforms to stay informed about the latest trends and strategies in consumer insights. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see thing

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare
E107: The Unchanging Nature of War

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2024 8:59


In this second episode of my summary series, I address the Nature of War. That nature is violence directed at an opponent to coerce him to submit to your will. This violence has always been the nature of war and it will always be so. Further, this violence must be so painful to your opponent that he will prefer submitting to your will rather than continuing to resist. How you apply that violence and where the pain must be applied changes with time, technology, and culture. Further, the tools to apply this pain are not just kinetic, or direct military action. Economic pain can be just as important as military force. So too is information directed towards increasing fear of pain in the opponents' population, its leaders, and your opponents' friends. What makes war different from other forms of violence is its political nature. This violence is directed towards achieving a political end state. Without directing military force to a clearly defined political objective military success is still possible but will, more than likely, end in strategic failure.   For more information refer to Episode 7 of this series, “What is War;” Episode 8: “The Natural Laws of War;” Episode 42: “All Successful Wars Are Alike;” and Episode 43: “Ways to Lose a War.”   Reference: Clausewitz, C., On War, (Michael Howard and Peter Paret Ed. And Tansl.) © 1976 Princeton University Press, New Jersey, USA   Music: Holst, G. The Planets: Mars, Bringer of War, Internet Archives, https://archive.org/details/GustavHolstThePlanetsMarsTheBringerOfWar_201709 Wagner, R. and USMC Band, Siegfried's Funeral March, Public Domain  

Now that's Significant
Data quality, transparency, alignment, prisoner's dilemma, & more with Bob Fawson

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 31:42


In this episode of Now that's Significant hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, the discussion features Bob Fawson, founder and CEO of Data Quality Co-op. The episode delves into the challenges and opportunities within the data quality landscape of the consumer insights industry. Bob shares his insights on promoting transparency and improving data quality, emphasizing the need for structural changes to restore trust between buyers, participants, and intermediaries in the market. Key takeaways from this episode 1. Importance of Data Quality: Bob highlights the intractable challenges facing data quality in the industry, comparing it to a 'lemon market' where buyers and sellers struggle with trust. He emphasizes the need for a structured clearinghouse to ensure transparency and improve data quality across the board. 2. Role of a Clearinghouse: The Data Quality Co-op aims to act as an independent clearinghouse, similar to credit reporting agencies, providing a broader understanding of data quality and offering a platform for buyers and sellers to align expectations.  3. Market Dynamics and Trust: The insights market is characterized as a two-sided ecosystem with inherent challenges in trust and collaboration. Bob discusses how better communication can break the cycle of competitive pressures and improve industry standards. 4. Optimism for the Future: Despite current challenges, Bob remains optimistic about the industry's ability to address data quality issues by learning from other sectors and implementing solutions that can change market dynamics positively. 5. Preparing for AI Demand: Bob stresses the importance of positioning the industry to meet the growing demand for high-quality first-party data, essential for training AI models, and ensuring that the data used is credible and reliable. Want to explore other episodes of Now that's Significant? Tune in on major podcast platforms and stay informed about the latest trends and strategies in consumer insights. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see thing

Now that's Significant
Reward productive friction using AI or enable mediocre work with Vivenne Ming

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 56:49


In this episode of Now that's Significant, a market research podcast, host Michael Howard delves into the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and human creativity with guest Vivienne Ming, a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. Vivienne, known for her work designing AI systems to address human challenges, challenges the prevailing narrative that AI will free us up to be more creative, arguing that using generative AI to do all the monotonous tasks can actually lead to more routine, mediocre work, which can lead to inferior outcomes. Instead, Vivienne advocates for AI to be used in such a way that makes your job harder. If AI can present what you were about to present, then what value are you bringing to the table? Therefore, we need to use AI in such a way that it challenges our position, helps us think far more deeply about our challenge, and go well beyond what's served up to us with LLMS. Otherwise, we risk producing things that look and sound very similar to everyone else, and no-one is any wiser. Here are five key takeaways from the episode: AI can inadvertently stifle creativity: By automating routine tasks, AI can lead to an increase in those tasks, rather than freeing up time for more creative endeavors. Human uniqueness is crucial for innovation: The true value of human intelligence lies in exploring the unknown and asking ill-posed questions, a domain where AI currently falls short. Embrace uncertainty and diverse perspectives: To foster creativity, individuals and teams must be comfortable with uncertainty and seek out diverse perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom. Reward productive friction: Organizations should incentivize exploration and reward individuals for being productively wrong, as this leads to greater collective intelligence and innovation. Collaborate with AI, don't be replaced by it: Rather than blindly following AI's suggestions, individuals should engage in a dynamic collaboration with AI, challenging its outputs and using it to enhance their own creative thinking. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to learn more about the evolving relationship between AI and human creativity, and how we can harness AI's power while preserving our unique human capabilities. Don't forget to check out other episodes of Now that's Significant on YouTube or on most major podcast platforms. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Tom Johnson on lessons from establishing and growing client-side insights functions

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 61:01


In this episode of Now That's Significant, a market research podcast, host Michael Howard interviews Tom Johnson, Senior Director of Consumer Insight and Analytics at Jack in the Box and Del Taco, about his journey in market research and the importance of aligning insights with business goals. Tom, with 25 years of experience on both the agency and client side, shares valuable lessons learned from building the consumer insights function at Del Taco from the ground up and navigating the complexities of a merger with Jack in the Box. Here are five key takeaways from the episode: Passion for insights can stem from inspiring mentors: Tom's journey began with a college professor who ignited his interest in market research, highlighting the impact mentors can have on shaping careers. Understanding the full impact of insights requires client-side experience: Tom transitioned to the client side to gain a deeper understanding of how insights are used to drive business decisions. Cross-functional collaboration is essential for maximizing impact: Building relationships with stakeholders across different departments allows consumer insights to influence a wider range of decisions. Strategic prioritization is crucial for managing research budgets: A "barbell strategy," balancing high-impact strategic research with efficient, tactical research, helps optimize resource allocation. Adapting to evolving consumer behavior is key for success: Understanding the nuances of consumer behavior in a changing economic and social landscape is crucial for developing effective strategies. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Tom Johnson's insights on building a successful consumer insights function and navigating the challenges of the fast-food industry. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
The dangerous swing brands are making toward short-termism with Jeffrey Hirsch

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 44:45


In this episode of "Now that's Significant, a market research podcast," host Michael Howard, the Head of Marketing at Infotools, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jeffrey Hirsch, founder and president of the Right Brain Studio and adjunct professor at USC's Annenberg School, about the increasing dominance of short-termism in marketing and its potential consequences for brand building. Hirsch, a seasoned marketing professional with a passion for qualitative insights, argues that the shift towards digital and social media marketing, driven by the need for measurable ROI, has led to a decline in long-term brand-building initiatives. Here are five key takeaways from the episode: The marketing landscape has shifted dramatically: The rise of digital and social media has led to a significant decline in traditional advertising spending, with a corresponding increase in short-term, performance-driven marketing tactics. Short-termism can hinder long-term brand building: The pressure to demonstrate immediate ROI can lead marketers to prioritize short-term gains over long-term brand building, potentially sacrificing brand equity and customer relationships. Brands need a clear purpose and values: To navigate the changing marketing landscape, brands must define their core values and purpose, ensuring that all marketing activities align with these foundational elements. Qualitative insights remain crucial: Despite the popularity of quantitative data, qualitative research provides valuable insights into consumer motivations, emotions, and brand relationships, which are essential for effective brand building. Balance is key: Marketers must strike a balance between short-term performance goals and long-term brand building, utilizing a mix of quantitative and qualitative research to inform their strategies. Don't forget to check out other episodes of "Now that's Significant" on YouTube and all major podcast platforms!  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Adam Hansen on the impact of cognitive biases on innovation and market research

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 54:39


In this episode of "Now That's Significant, a market research podcast," host Michael Howard sits down with Adam Hansen, principal and VP of behavioral innovation at Ideas to Go, to discuss the intersection of behavioral science and innovation. Adam, co-author of the book "Outsmart Your Instincts: How the Behavioral Innovation Approach Drives Your Company Forward," shares his insights on how cognitive biases can hinder innovation and offers strategies for mitigating their impact. Here are five key takeaways from the episode: Cognitive biases can undermine innovation: Biases like negativity bias, confirmation bias, and status quo bias can stifle creativity and prevent teams from exploring new ideas. Awareness is the first step to mitigation: Recognizing and understanding these biases is crucial for making conscious decisions that promote innovation. Curiosity and experimentation are essential: Embracing a mindset of curiosity and a willingness to experiment can help overcome the limitations of cognitive biases. The Johari window helps map knowledge and awareness: This tool can be used to identify knowledge gaps and guide teams towards a shared understanding of the problem space. Behavioral innovation provides a framework for success: By understanding and addressing cognitive biases, teams can create a more effective and innovative environment. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the power of behavioral innovation and how it can help you overcome cognitive biases to drive innovation. Don't forget to check out other episodes of "Now That's Significant" on all major podcast platforms!  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
John Van Vleck on blending science of research with art of uncovering insights

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 49:52


In this episode of Now That's Significant, hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, the conversation with John Van Vleck, founder of The Greenroom Collective, explores the intersection of research and creativity. The episode focuses on how blending the science of research with the art of insight can drive innovative thinking and problem-solving for businesses. Key Takeaways: 1. Blending Science and Art: John emphasizes the importance of integrating the scientific aspects of research with the creative process to foster innovative solutions. This approach helps businesses move beyond traditional methodologies to explore new possibilities. 2. Role of Insights in Innovation: Insights are not just about data; they serve as inspiration for new ideas. John discusses how insights can be a catalyst for creativity, leading to transformative business outcomes. 3. Unconventional Approaches: By using unique methods, such as bringing in unexpected experts like an alligator wrangler, John demonstrates how unconventional approaches can unlock powerful insights and foster creative thinking. 4. Connecting the Dots: John highlights the importance of connecting disparate pieces of data to see the bigger picture. This holistic view enables businesses to uncover deeper insights and develop more effective strategies. 5. Becoming Thought Leaders: Researchers should aim to be thought leaders rather than mere order-takers. By understanding client needs and delivering insights that drive strategic decisions, they can elevate their role within organizations. Check out more episodes of Now That's Significant for further insights into market research and innovation on major podcast platforms. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, provide sample, or collect data, we make it easy for market researchers to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Response Leadership
Breaking into the Cybersecurity Field and Skills for Success, Michael and Mary Kate Howard

Response Leadership

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 41:55


Mary Kate Howard, enterprise security operations program manager for Hewlett-Packard, Inc., and Michael Howard, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, shed light on the growth and opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. During this conversation, they explore the value of degrees and industry certifications and discuss the importance of curiosity, leadership and communication skills. Hear about how cybersecurity is no longer just a niche market but a vital component of every industry, transforming the way we think about career paths in the digital age. 

The Kokomo Press Podcast
Four Comics One Funny Cup feat. Michael Howard & Brandon Stetler

The Kokomo Press Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 107:46


What do you get when you take four comics and throw them in a room? You get this week's episode of the Kokomo Press Podcast, of course!Hosts Jordan Grainger and Jordan Bell aka Hypocrisy Jones are back in Press Studios with a full panel of funny people making their first ever debut on the show.Michael Howard is a comedian from Kokomo who's on stage bits have ranged from hilarious rants, childhood stories, and even occasional comment in offense. He's an avid fan of movies, wrestling, and music who can be found con and show hopping all around the Midwest with some hilarious stories to share.Brandon Stetler goes where most comics wouldn't dare go and then hops that line and moves it 100 yards. He's a proud member of the LGBT+ community who loves to roast, gamble on stage, and who frequently helps use his funny bone to raise money for charity. This week's show was heavy on taboo topics for stage including gender, race, sexuality, etc. but also riddled with tips on how to take those topics and make sure you earn them. We touched on so many topics including Grindr's new A.I. Wingman, the Bachelor star who delved into gender grifting, NASA's search for life on Jupiter, the unlikely reason "Y" there's controversy in Pool, plus Police Brutality, a man with 3 penises, and why some girls have gone wild.All of this plus a ton of laughs rolled into the latest entertaining episode of the Kokomo Press Podcast! @thekokomopress on YouTube, Facebook, and instagram.Jordan Grainger is @ultrajoyed on twitter, facebook, and tiktok.Jordan Bell is @hypocrisy_jones on all major platforms.Cortni Richardson is @cortni88 on instagram and @cortni_lean on twitter.Brian West is @veinypeckerpete on twitter and @westjr.brian on instagram.

Now that's Significant
The outside voice: Your product isn't as great as you think with Jeff Vlahovich

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 35:30


In this episode of 'Now that's Significant,' hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, we are joined by Jeff Vlahovich, an insights and analytics leader with extensive experience in financial services and media tech. This discussion explores the importance of adopting an outside perspective, particularly in understanding that our products and services may not hold as much importance to customers as we believe. Jeff shares insights from his career, emphasizing the need to genuinely understand customer needs and avoid the pitfalls of overconfidence and internal bias. Key takeaways from this episode include: 1. The Outside Voice: Jeff introduces the concept of the 'outside voice,' inspired by Daniel Kahneman, which encourages companies to seek external perspectives to gain a realistic understanding of their products' significance to customers, rather than relying solely on internal views. 2. Customer-Centric Approach: Many organizations claim to be customer-centric, but true customer obsession involves deeply understanding customer needs and challenges and continuously aligning every aspect of the business to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. 3. The Perils of Optimism: Teams often suffer from over-optimism, neglecting competitive realities and external benchmarks. This bias can lead to unrealistic expectations and ineffective decision-making, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives and devil's advocates in discussions.  4. Listening to Customers: While direct customer feedback is valuable, understanding their broader context and challenges is crucial. This helps in creating solutions that address their real needs, rather than simply acting on articulated desires. 5. Pre-Mortem Techniques: Conducting pre-mortem exercises helps teams anticipate potential failures before launching products or campaigns, enabling them to address possible issues proactively and increase the chances of success. Don't miss out on more insightful discussions and expert perspectives. Check out other episodes of 'Now That's Significant' on major podcast platforms to stay informed about the evolving landscape of market research and consumer insights. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Things I wish I knew earlier in my insights career with Stefanie Zammit

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 50:26


In this episode of 'Now That's Significant,' host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, engages in an insightful conversation with Stefanie Zammit, Director of Analytics and Insight at Bang & Olufsen, who has a diverse career background spanning top audio brands like Starbucks, Marks and Spencer, and The Times, as well as agencies like Ipsos and Quadrangle Research Group. The episode delves into Stefanie's career journey, which sees her reflect on some the lessons she has learned along the way, and what she would love to have known earlier as a market researcher. Key takeaways from this episode: 1. Career Path and Industry Engagement: Stefanie emphasizes the importance of staying connected with the industry, even as one gains seniority and becomes busier with leadership responsibilities.  2. Challenges of Client-Side Roles: Stefanie discusses the difficulty of keeping up with technological advancements and vendor capabilities while working client-side, highlighting the importance of industry events and networking. 3. Value of Diverse Experience: Stefanie shares how her varied background across different sectors and roles has equipped her with a broad perspective, stressing the value of being a generalist in market research. 4. Importance of Methodology Flexibility: She cautions against rigid, off-the-shelf methodologies, advocating for flexible research designs that can adapt to a company's evolving needs. 5. Integration of Research and Data: Stefanie underscores the potential of integrating market research with internal data to gain deeper insights and a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior. For latest insights and trends in market research, check out more episodes of 'Now That's Significant' on major podcast platforms and stay informed about the evolving landscape of consumer behavior and technology. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

POLITICO's Westminster Insider
How to choose a Tory leader

POLITICO's Westminster Insider

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 51:46


This year's Conservative Party conference will be a beauty pageant for would-be leaders, with each one setting out their stall as to why they're the right person to head up the party. So this week Westminster Insider host Sascha O'Sullivan dives into what it's really like to be a contender in a Tory leadership campaign — and how candidates can appeal to both MPs and party members alike.  Andrea Leadsom, who made it through to the final two leadership candidates in 2016 before dramatically dropping out at the 11th hour, recalls the intense pressure on her at the time — and tells Sascha why she really decided to pull out of the race and concede to Theresa May.   Sascha also speaks to the Tories' former deputy leader, Peter Lilley, about his own failed run for the leadership back in 1997, and to former party leader Michael Howard about why Tory members were given more of a say at that time over who should be in charge. Tory peer Daniel Finkelstein, a former adviser to William Hague, explains how this new role for the membership led to the election of unpopular leaders like Iain Duncan Smith and Liz Truss.  And former campaign chiefs Tim Loughton, who ran Leadsom's campaign, and James Starkie, who ran Priti Patel's recent leadership bid, give a behind-the-scenes view of how candidates battle to win Tory MPs over to their side.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that's Significant
Quantifying the optimal content variety on TikTok with Alexis Harris & Devora Rogers

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 22:37


In this episode of 'Now That's Significant,' host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, delves into the world of social media research with guests Alexis Harris, Research and Insights Manager at TikTok, and Devora Rogers, Chief Strategy Officer at Alter Agents. Alexis brings her expertise in leveraging mixed methods and fostering cross-functional relationships to deliver actionable insights. Devora, known for her innovative approach, has led research teams and developed methodologies for global brands. The discussion centers around a fascinating study on content variety and its impact on user engagement on TikTok, offering valuable insights for brands looking to optimize their content strategies. Key takeaways from the episode: 1. Importance of content variety: 64% of TikTok users prefer brands that offer a diverse range of content. This variety not only enhances engagement but also increases positive emotions among users, making them more likely to interact with the brand. 2. Role of creators: A mix of brand-led and creator-led content is highly effective in engaging audiences. Users find content from a variety of creators more relatable and authentic, which helps brands achieve better metrics in terms of engagement and trust. 3. Emotional connection: Diverse content boosts positive emotions, with users showing a 65% increase in positive feelings when exposed to a variety of content. This emotional connection translates to higher engagement and stronger brand loyalty. 4. High and low production content: Both high and low production content have roles to play in a successful TikTok strategy. Shorter content, particularly under 31 seconds, performs exceptionally well, and featuring the product throughout the video often leads to the best results. 5. Practical implementation: Brands should experiment with different content types and leverage creators to enhance relatability and trust. By using a mix of high and low production content and varying the creators, brands can effectively engage their audience and drive better outcomes. Check out more episodes of Now That's Significant on major podcast platforms and stay informed about the evolving landscape of consumer behavior and technology. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
The power of narrative psychology in market research with Kristian Alomá

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 37:00


In this episode of "Now That's Significant, a market research podcast," host Michael Howard sits down with Kristian Alomá, founder and CEO of Threadline, a market research and brand strategy agency, to discuss the power of narrative psychology in branding and market research. Kristian, with a PhD in psychology and over 20 years of experience in marketing, shares his insights on how understanding consumer narratives can transform brand relationships. Here are five key takeaways from the episode: 1. Narrative psychology helps us understand consumers on a deeper level: By examining the stories consumers tell about their experiences, we gain insights into their motivations, values, and relationships with brands. 2. Context is crucial for understanding consumer behavior: The meaning of a behavior can change dramatically depending on the context, so it's essential to consider the broader circumstances surrounding consumer actions. 3. Brands should strive to be supportive characters in their customers' stories: Instead of positioning themselves as heroes, brands should aim to play a supporting role, empowering customers to be the heroes of their own narratives. 4. Human moderation is essential for capturing the nuances of consumer stories: While AI can be a valuable tool, human moderators are better equipped to detect inauthenticity and understand the emotional depth of consumer narratives. 5. The future of branding lies in human authenticity: As AI becomes more prevalent in consumer experiences, there will be a growing demand for brands that offer genuine human connection and authenticity. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the power of narrative psychology in branding and market research. Don't forget to check out other episodes of "Now That's Significant" on all major podcast platforms!  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare
E101: Second Battle of Kursk, Part 2

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 8:52


The fighting in the Kursk Oblast is still ongoing, and it would be much to soon to derive any lessons to be learned from this event. This episode picks up from the previous episode, examining how this campaign might offer examples of concepts presented in previous podcasts of the Ancient Art of Modern Warfare. Ukraine continues maneuver warfare at the tactical level, although as of this writing, nothing approaching the level of decisive action. Russia continues its World War I style offensive in the east, while the south has some interesting long-range strikes. The contrast between attrition warfare in the east and maneuver warfare in the north, combined with drones, deep fires, and partisan activity in Russian occupied areas all indicate that no prior form of warfare is obsolescent and all can exist simultaneously with modern techno-warfare.   Reference: (As always) Clausewitz, C, On War, Edited and Translated by Michael Howard and Peter Paret ©1984 Music: Holst, G., The Planets: Mars, Bringer of War (Internet Archives) The Army Strings, GarryOwen (Traditional) (Public Domain) Kilstoffe, P., Freedom Fighters from Machinimasound  

Now that's Significant
The dawn of Big R and all its benefits with Naomi Grewal

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 27:49


In this episode of Now That's Significant, host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, speaks with Naomi Grewal, who recently joined LinkedIn as Director of UX Research. Naomi shares her extensive career journey, insights from her roles at leading tech companies, and her perspective on the evolving field of UX research. Naomi's background includes leading research teams at Meta (formerly Facebook), Uber, Pinterest, and Workday, as well as academic roles at SurveyMonkey and Ipsos. With a PhD in cognitive psychology and a teaching role at USC, Naomi offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience.  Key takeaways from this episode: 1. Career Journey and Expertise: With her journey in the insights industry including considerable time in academia, Naomi was able to bring fresh perspectives into her work. She since gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in UX research and cognitive psychology experience which has enabled her to go on to lead research teams in some exciting tech companies. 2. Importance of Research Integration: Naomi emphasizes the value of integrating research within organizations. She points out that while research skills are essential, they must be complemented by excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration to be effective in a business context. 3. Applied Psychology in the Workforce: Naomi discusses how applied psychology can be leveraged in various industries. She teaches foundational principles at USC that prepare students for diverse careers in UX and market research, underscoring the importance of understanding human behavior in business applications. 4. Emerging UX Trends: The future of UX research includes greater use of AI and personalization. Naomi highlights trends such as AI-driven automation, which streamlines user experiences, and the integration of mixed methods for holistic insights. These advancements are set to transform how researchers and businesses understand and interact with users. 5. Big R Concept: Naomi introduces the idea of 'Big R,' positioning research as a strategic function that spans multiple areas within a company, from market research to people research and UX. This holistic approach aims to elevate the role of research in driving informed decision-making across all levels of an organization. Check out more episodes of Now That's Significant on major podcast platforms and stay informed about the evolving landscape of consumer behavior and technology. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

The BlueHat Podcast
Michael Howard on Secure by Design vs Secure by Default

The BlueHat Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 48:14


Michael Howard, Senior Director at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Michael shares his journey at Microsoft, starting from his early days in New Zealand as part of a small team of ten. He discusses his extensive career, his contributions to cybersecurity, and his role in the development of essential security books like "Writing Secure Code" and "The Security Development Lifecycle." Michael reflects on the importance of fundamental security principles and how they remain relevant today. He also touches on his recent move within Microsoft to John Lambert's team, where he continues to focus on security culture and education. The conversation delves into the origins of the Blue Hat conference, Michael's experiences at the first event, and the ongoing significance of secure coding practices and mitigations.      In This Episode You Will Learn:     Critical aspects of secure software development and pivotal moments in Microsoft's security  The importance of using specific coding constructs and libraries to improve security  Findings on vulnerabilities that spurred significant security improvements in SQL Server    Some Questions We Ask:       How do you deploy security patches effectively while minimizing disruptions?  What coding constructs and compiler flags did you recommend for better security?  How did external researchers at Blue Hat conferences impact Microsoft's culture?    Resources:   View Michael Howard on LinkedIn     View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    The Microsoft Azure Security Podcast   Michael Howard (@michael_howard) on X (twitter.com)  Latest book: Designing and Developing Secure Azure Solutions (Developer Best Practices): Howard, Michael, Simone, Curzi, Heinrich, Gantenbein: 9780137908752: Amazon.com: Books    Related Microsoft Podcasts:    Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks     Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Now that's Significant
How to strengthen your insights team's reputation with Emily Paladino

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 42:30


In this episode of "Now That's Significant, a market research podcast," host Michael Howard sits down with Emily Paladino, Group Head of Customer Insights at Country Road Group, to discuss the intricacies of managing and elevating client-side customer insights teams. Emily, drawing from her extensive experience, provides invaluable advice for aspiring insights leaders.  Here are five key takeaways from the episode: 1. Building a high-performing team is crucial: Prioritize cultural fit, shared values like hard work and integrity, and a blend of intelligence and experience when assembling your team.  2. Demonstrating the ROI of insights is an ongoing endeavor: Continuously showcase your team's value by aligning projects with business objectives, delivering tangible results, and building relationships with key stakeholders. 3. Strategic projects can be game-changers: Initiatives like market segmentation projects, as exemplified by Emily, can significantly impact business growth and solidify your team's reputation. 4. Mentorship and empowerment are essential: Invest in your team's growth by providing opportunities to present, lead, and develop their personal brands within the organization. 5. Networking and external engagement are invaluable: Encourage your team to participate in industry conferences, build connections, and seek learning opportunities beyond the confines of your organization. Tune in to this episode and discover more valuable insights from Emily Paladino on building and leading high-impact customer insights teams. Don't forget to check out other episodes of "Now That's Significant" on all major podcast platforms!  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare
E100: The Second Battle of Kursk

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 8:41


The war in Ukraine has taken a very interesting, and I think, exciting turn of events. The advent of combined arms maneuver warfare reminiscent of armored offensives in that region eight decades ago. It is impossible to conduct an in-depth analysis at this time. There is too much going on and we really know little about order of battle or Ukrainian objectives. StilI, I felt the need to talk about this ongoing battle for a several reasons. Most important of these is that it is an example of the type of maneuver warfare that is possible and should be a feature of this war.   Reference: (As always) Clausewitz, C, On War, Edited and Translated by Michael Howard and Peter Paret ©1984 Music: Holst, G., The Planets: Mars, Bringer of War (Internet Archives) Kiilstofte, J., The Cavalry, Machinimasound (Licensed)  

Way Of The Truth Warrior Podcast
Totalists In Our Midst (A Psychological Profile)

Way Of The Truth Warrior Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 30:00


This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dwtruthwarrior.substack.com"Orthodox historians have chosen to ignore this aspect because they believe it has no real significance in politics. In fact it is only through the revealing of the occult conspiracy that events under discussion can be fully understood and placed in their true historical perspective.” - Michael Howard, The Occult Conspiracy Related TW Content: THOUGHT R…

Now that's Significant
Augmented market research perspectives with Snap's Takeshi Tawarada & Kara Louis

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 25:56


In this episode of 'Now That's Significant,' hosted by Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, we delve into the realm of augmented reality (AR) and attention research with special guests Takeshi Tawarada and Kara Louis from Snapchat. Tak, the Research and Insights Lead for AR and Attention, and Kara, the Group Manager for Global Agency Research, discuss the groundbreaking AR initiatives at Snapchat, their impact on consumer behavior, and how brands can leverage these insights. Key Takeaways: 1. Augmented Reality's Evolution and Utility: AR is a digital layer that enhances the world around us. Snapchat uses AR to empower users to express themselves, learn about the world, and have fun, as exemplified by their viral lenses. 2. Research Insights and Advertisers: The Snapchat Research and Insights Team focuses on substantiating why marketers should advertise on Snapchat and how to reach their audience effectively, particularly through AR. 3. AR and Sustainability: AR can significantly contribute to sustainability by reducing shopping returns and material waste. Snapchat's research shows that AR can drive a 46% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional shopping methods. 4. Attention and AR: Snapchat's AR experiences capture five times more active attention compared to other platforms, enhancing both short-term brand choice and long-term brand loyalty. 5. Future of AR: Emerging technologies like generative AI and machine learning will further augment AR's capabilities, leading to new, immersive consumer experiences and innovative advertising methods. Don't miss out on the latest insights and trends in market research and AR. Check out more episodes of 'Now That's Significant' on major podcast platforms and stay ahead in understanding consumer behavior and technological advancements. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool

Now that's Significant
The storytelling & data-driven decision dance with Brian Robinson

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 44:01


In this episode of "Now That's Significant," host Michael Howard sits down with Brian W Robinson, former leader of analytics teams at Meta and Yahoo! and author of "Project Boing," to discuss the importance of balancing the creativity of storytelling with the power and robustness of data in market research. Robinson emphasizes that impactful market research involves striking a balance between data analysis and compelling narrative - rather than just leaning on one over the other. Here are five key takeaways from their conversation:  Finding a Home in Market Research: The field often attracts individuals with diverse backgrounds who are drawn to its unique blend of curiosity and analytical thinking. Balancing Data and Storytelling: Effective market research involves using data as a foundation for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with decision-makers. Overcoming the "Nobody Listens to Me" Mentality: Market researchers should focus on understanding their audience and tailoring their communication to effectively convey insights. Embracing AI in Market Research: AI presents both opportunities and challenges for market research, requiring adaptability and a willingness to integrate new technologies. The Importance of Concise Communication: As professionals rise in their careers, they must learn to communicate complex information succinctly and tailor their message to different audiences. To hear more insightful discussions on the world of market research, tune in to other episodes of "Now That's Significant" on major podcast platforms.  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool

Now that's Significant
Empty Planet: The shock of global population decline with Darrell Bricker

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 32:10


In this episode of "Now That's Significant," host Michael Howard and guest Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, discuss the shocking global trend of population decline and its wide-reaching implications. Contrary to popular belief, the world population will not continue to grow indefinitely but is expected to peak around 9 billion (rather than the 11.4 billion) before starting to shrink. Below are five key takeaways from the podcast.  Economic Contraction: A shrinking population will lead to economic contraction due to a decrease in consumption. As the population ages, there will be less demand for consumer goods, leading to slower economic growth.  Shifting Power Structures: Countries with shrinking populations, like China, could lose their dominant positions in manufacturing as their workforces shrink and labor costs rise. This could lead to a shift in global power dynamics.  Social Impacts and Cultural Extinction: Population decline, coupled with urbanization, could lead to the cultural extinction of indigenous populations. As younger generations move to urban areas, they may not carry on the languages and traditions of their cultures.  Political Ramifications: With a smaller younger generation, the voting power of older generations will increase. This could result in policies that disproportionately favor the needs of the elderly, such as long-term care and pensions, potentially leading to generational conflicts.  Unsustainability of Perpetual Growth: The current economic model, which relies on perpetual revenue growth, is unsustainable in the face of a shrinking customer base. Businesses will need to adapt and innovate to remain profitable in a world with fewer consumers.  To delve deeper into these thought-provoking insights and more, listeners are encouraged to check out other episodes of "Now That's Significant" on major podcast platforms.  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool

Now that's Significant
Making the consumer the “superhero” of insights programs with Vera Chien

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 45:25


In this episode of "Now That's Significant," host Michael Howard virtually sits down with Vera Chien, Executive Director of Corporate Research, Data and Insights at Warner Bros. Discovery. Vera, a seasoned research leader with over 20 years of experience, shares her insights on the power of consumer-centric research in shaping entertainment content. Vera provides a glimpse into the vast landscape of Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighting the diverse range of titles and genres. She delves into the structure of the insights function at the company, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between teams focused on specific areas like film, TV, and streaming, and those with a broader, more strategic purview. Vera emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer behavior, particularly in today's rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. She shares intriguing insights, such as the phenomenon of "rationing," where viewers intentionally slow down their consumption of beloved series to 'milk out' and delay the inevitable ending to one of their favorite shows. She also discusses the unique viewing habits of younger generations, like millennials and Gen Z, and how their preferences are shaping content creation strategies. Vera emphasizes the importance of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including traditional techniques and more experimental approaches like qual research and behavioral quant techniques. She highlights the significance of data visualization and storytelling in bringing insights to life and influencing stakeholder action. Vera discusses the importance of leveraging both first-party and third-party data sources, including social listening and syndicated data, to gain a comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior. She shares her excitement about the potential of AI and machine learning in revolutionizing the insights sector, in areas like adaptive conjoint analysis, natural language processing for data querying, and automated data visualization. Vera underscores the importance of staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape, with the rise of new formats like vertical video and immersive technologies like AR and VR. Subscribe to "Now That's Significant" on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Transitioning into market research and modernizing insights for non-profits with Alysse Henkel

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 32:17


In this episode of Now That's Significant, host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, is joined by Alysse Henkel, Vice President of Research at The Vision Counsel. Henkel discusses her transition from program evaluation to market research, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two fields.  Henkel shares her experience overhauling outdated data systems at The Vision Counsel, emphasizing the importance of data quality, security, and accessibility. She discusses the challenges of updating a 20-year-old tracker survey while maintaining historical data for trend analysis. Henkel also provides insights into the unique nature of market research at a trade association, explaining how The Vision Counsel conducts both economic and consumer research to benefit its members across the optical industry. Henkel reveals that The Vision Counsel is increasingly incorporating qualitative research and leveraging big data sets for economic analysis. She also discusses the importance of partnering with research providers who prioritize data quality, integration capabilities, and high-quality data visualization. Here are seven key takeaways from the episode: + Transitioning from program evaluation to market research in a non-profit environment involves learning new terminology and adapting to different reporting styles. + Leading with research results and providing methodological details as supplementary information is crucial in the commercial sector. + Program evaluators can learn from market researchers about effective communication and packaging of research insights. + Market researchers can benefit from program evaluators' focus on participant-centered research and culturally sensitive language. + Modernizing data systems and processes is essential for ensuring data quality, security, and accessibility. + Updating outdated research instruments requires careful consideration of historical data and effective change management strategies. + Trade associations play a unique role in market research, providing both economic and consumer insights to benefit their members. Tune in to future episodes of Now That's Significant for more insightful discussions on the latest trends in market research.  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't.

Now that's Significant
Aparnaa Rajesekaran on how insights professionals can shape business strategy

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 33:17


In this episode of "Now That's Significant," host Michael Howard interviews Aparnaa Rajesekaran, Segment Insights and Strategy Manager at Georgia Pacific. Aparnaa shares perspectives on how insights professionals can shape business strategy, emphasizing the importance of serendipity, a passion for excellence, and an entrepreneurial spirit. She highlights her inquisitive nature and how her background in sales, brand marketing, and insights, coupled with her education in technology, has shaped her approach to market research. Aparnaa discusses the critical role of customer and consumer insights in today's fast-paced business environment. With data abundance, understanding consumer needs, fostering loyalty, driving innovation, and mitigating risks are crucial for success. She emphasizes the power of insights professionals to influence business strategy by transforming data into meaningful and actionable insights for leadership teams. Aparnaa provides valuable strategies for effectively communicating complex insights to senior leadership. She emphasizes understanding the audience, their decision-making process, and presenting information clearly and concisely. Aparnaa also highlights the importance of aligning with stakeholders, preparing pre-reads, and adapting communication styles for different departments like sales and innovation. Some key takeaways from the discussion include: - Understand your audience and tailor your message to their needs. - Develop a strong understanding of your company's business goals and how your insights can help achieve them. - Be able to clearly and concisely communicate your findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. - Build relationships with key stakeholders across your organization. - Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in market research. The resources mentioned in this podcast are: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Coleman, Start with Why, Simon Sinek, Win Every Argument- Mehdi Hasan, How to win friends and Influence people – Dale Carnegie, Mel Robbins Podcast, and The Alchemist by Paolo Cohelo. For more insightful conversations with market research experts, subscribe to "Now That's Significant" on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.  *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Research exploring the rise and role of creator & influencer content with Ed Keller

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 36:54


In this episode of Now that's Significant, host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, sits down with Ed Keller, CEO of the Keller Advisory Group, to discuss the impact of the creator economy on American consumers. Keller, a leading expert in word of mouth, influencer marketing, and consumer insights, shares valuable insights from his recent study, "Unveiling Influence: The Impact of Creators on American Consumers Lives." Keller highlights the significant size of the creator economy, revealing that a staggering 27 million paid creators exist in the US, representing 14% of consumers aged 16 to 54. The study also found that 70% of Americans in the same age group follow creators and influencers, with 60% engaging with creator content daily. Keller emphasizes that creator content consistently outperforms traditional advertising across various dimensions, including relevance, emotional connection, trustworthiness, and uniqueness. The study reveals that consumers primarily seek entertainment and educational value from creator content. Food, beverage, and cooking content emerged as the most popular category, followed closely by entertainment. Instagram and YouTube are the dominant platforms for creator content consumption, with TikTok trailing in third place. Importantly, 80% of consumers reported taking further action after engaging with creator content, with a significant portion researching brands' websites and making purchases. Here are seven key takeaways from the episode: + The creator economy is a significant force, with a vast number of creators and followers. + Creator content surpasses traditional advertising in effectiveness across multiple aspects. + Consumers value entertainment, education, and product reviews from creator content. + Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are the leading platforms for creator content consumption. + Creator content drives consumer action, including brand research, social media engagement, and purchases. + Brands should partner with creators who align with their target audience and values. + Marketers can leverage creator insights to optimize their strategies and amplify brand messaging.  Tune in to future episodes of Now that's Significant for more insightful discussions on the latest trends in market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
9 common concerns market researchers have when considering new software tools with Michael Howard

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 25:17


In this episode of Now That's Significant, host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, delves into the common concerns market researchers face when considering new software. This episode focuses on three key categories of concern: Usability, Learning Curve, and Team Adoption Software Complexity: Michael emphasizes the importance of user-friendly interfaces and intuitive design. He suggests looking for software that focuses on specific needs rather than trying to be everything to everyone. He also highlights the importance of comprehensive training and readily available customer support. Disruption to Current Projects: Michael recommends phasing in adoption gradually, starting with smaller teams or pilot programs. Running the new system parallel to existing workflows can also provide valuable insights and minimize risk. Team Resistance to Change: Including team members in the selection process and soliciting their feedback can encourage buy-in. Identifying internal champions and highlighting the benefits of the new software can also ease the transition. Impact on Workflow and Productivity Added Workflow Complexity: Michael advises against replacing like-for-like solutions and emphasizes the importance of significant value-add. Conducting a time analysis of current processes compared to the proposed software workflow can reveal potential time savings and bottlenecks. Actionable Insights: Set up personalized demos with past projects to compare results and identify potential improvements in data accuracy and insights. He also suggests leveraging case studies, testimonials, and industry reports to gauge the software's effectiveness. Time Constraints: Michael recommends prioritizing essential features based on organizational goals and delegating the initial research and utilizing online software review platforms and industry reports can also streamline the process. Technical Capabilities and Requirements Data Accuracy and Reliability: Michael suggests inquiring about the software's data sources, validation methods, quality control measures, and compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Meeting Specific Research Needs: Clearly define their research requirements and data complexities. He advises seeking vendors who are transparent about their software's capabilities and limitations and are willing to discuss potential workarounds. Data Migration Challenges: Consider future data migration needs. He recommends prioritizing software that allows for easy data export in industry-standard formats, ensuring flexibility and avoiding vendor lock-in. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover, a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool. Feel free to check out our platform and services at www.infotools.com

Now that's Significant
The 11 secret herbs and spices of market research tech with Bryan Smith

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 31:06


Join host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, as he sits down with Bryan Smith, Product Evangelist & Implementation Specialist at Ipsos, to explore the intriguing world of market research technology. Bryan, a self-proclaimed data enthusiast and efficiency advocate, shares his valuable insights on navigating this evolving landscape. Discover the key fundamentals for assessing new technologies, the diverse ways market researchers are leveraging technology in their daily work, and common obstacles hindering wider adoption. Bryan also sheds light on how research teams can position themselves for success and highlights the tangible benefits of integrating technology into market research processes.  Five key takeaways from this episode: 1. Understanding the fundamentals of assessing new technology 2. Exploring the diverse applications of technology in market research 3. Addressing the underutilization of technology 4. Setting up research teams for success 5. Recognizing the benefits of market research technology Tune in to gain valuable insights from Bryan's extensive experience and discover how to harness the power of technology to enhance your market research efforts. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to "Now that's Significant" on your favorite podcast platform for more insightful discussions on market research. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. www.infotools.com Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
FTW! Market researchers playing in the video game space with Mike Klotz

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 35:37


In this episode of Now That's Significant, host Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, sits down with Mike Klotz, Head of Games at Nielsen. Together, they delve into the fascinating world of market research within the ever-evolving video game industry. Key Takeaways: Gaming's Economic Powerhouse: The gaming industry has grown exponentially, generating billions in revenue and demanding sophisticated research approaches. From Quarters to Clicks: The way consumers interact with and spend money on games has transformed, requiring researchers to adapt data collection methods. Beyond Entertainment: Gaming has permeated various aspects of life, including exercise, education, and user interfaces, highlighting its versatility and impact. Gamification in Research: While integrating gaming elements into research can enhance engagement, it often presents cost and customization challenges. The Evolving Gamer: Defining the "average gamer" is increasingly difficult due to the diverse demographics and gaming preferences that exist today. Research Throughout the Lifecycle: Research plays a crucial role at every stage of a game's lifecycle, from concept testing and playtesting to post-launch analysis and ongoing engagement strategies. The Rise of Generative AI: Generative AI presents exciting opportunities for game development, but consumer education and understanding are essential for its successful implementation. Bridging the Gap: Collaborations between gaming companies and brands from other industries are becoming more common, offering unique opportunities to reach new audiences. We hope you enjoy the episode. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Track to the future: Keeping brand trackers relevant with Horst Feldhaeuser

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 16:18


This episode of the "Now That's Significant" podcast features a conversation between Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at and photos, and Horst Feldhaeuser, Group Services Director at Infotools. They delve into the critical topic of brand tracking studies and their continued relevance in the ever-changing market research landscape. The discussion centers around the need for constant review and improvement of these studies to ensure they remain effective and insightful.  Horst emphasizes the importance of adapting to evolving consumer demographics and utilizing technology advancements. He highlights the need to move beyond traditional survey methods and embrace new data collection techniques, such as passive data and social media analysis. Additionally, he stresses the significance of streamlining data delivery processes and leveraging advanced analytics tools to extract meaningful insights efficiently.  The conversation underscores the balance between maintaining consistency in tracking studies while also embracing necessary changes. Horst encourages industry professionals to challenge the status quo and actively seek innovative solutions to enhance the quality and effectiveness of brand tracking studies. He emphasizes the ultimate goal of supporting informed business decisions and maximizing the value of these studies in today's dynamic market environment.  Top 5 Takeaways: **Brand tracking studies remain relevant but require continuous evaluation and improvement. **Adapting to changing consumer demographics and leveraging new technologies is crucial. **Explore alternative data collection methods like passive data and social media analysis. **Streamline data delivery and utilize advanced analytics tools for efficient insights. **Embrace change and challenge the status quo to enhance the value of brand tracking studies. Want to learn more about the evolving world of market research? Be sure to subscribe to "Now That's Significant" and check out other insightful episodes! We hope you enjoy the show. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
A worthy way market researchers can give back with Michaela Gascon

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 14:46


On this episode of Now that's Significant - a market research podcast host, Michael Howard is joined by Michaela Gascon, the Executive Board Member at MREF, also known as Marketing Research Education Foundation. Michaela is also the President and CEO of KJT Group, a WIRe mentor, and 20 Deep Winery based in Mendon, New York. Michaela came onto the show to discuss one of the fantastic ways that market researchers can give back to the community - The Race Around The World For Education, run by MREF. For those who may not know, MREF's mission is to unify, inspire & activate the marketing research community to focus its collective resources to educate children and youth worldwide. In the brief discussion, Michaela shares some great perspectives on the event, how it can help the community, and why it's a good thing for market researchers to get involved. One of the interesting points that came up was how many times around the earth market researchers had travelled as part of the event. You'd be surprised! If you want to get involved, you can sign up here Race Around the World for Education (runsignup.com) If you want to check out the work that MREF is doing around the world, jump onto their website here Home | MREF (mrgivesback.org). We hope you enjoy the episode (and get involved as well). *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
The changing nature of market research with Todd Horvitz

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 34:04


On this episode of Now that's Significant, host Michael Howard, is joined by Todd Horvitz, Head of Customer Insights at HP, who previously held senior insights roles at Disney, Wells Fargo, and Kantar. The episode opens with the host quoting lines from David Bowie's song Changes, which setup a discussion on the changing nature of the market research industry, as witnessed by Todd. The rendition was not one to remember, but the discussion certainly was. Talking points began focusing on the workplace in general, which included: - The changing state of the workplace, especially from a technology perspective. - The proliferation of the internet and mobile phones and tables. - The rate at which business has sped up, innovation speeding up, and an obsession to maximize productivity. - Diversity has also been a major change for the better too, with a greater number of perspectives feeding into the way we work and deliver value for society. The discussion then moved on more specifically to market research. - The way that market research and access to data has been democratized across organizations. - DIY and smart analysis tools have increased the speed to insight on both the agency and corporate side - We've had low engagement and increased fraudulent activity as people's time is increasingly taken up, and as bad actors attempt to game the system for financial gain. - AI has threatened to take over jobs, while IT security teams scramble to ensure any access or use is done in a safe environment. - AI has also provided a tool for market researchers to be more efficient in the way they work. Reflecting on how to make the most of all this change, Todd reminded us we need to buy the right tools and have a clear plan on how you'll proceed. He touched on agile, and reinforced that while it's valuable, it's not for everyone. Todd also touched on internal resistance that one may face when steering the organization away from historical ways of working. Finally, Todd mentioned some things to do and not to do, both at work and outside of work, to help make yourself a better market researcher. Some important points worth remembering regardless of our time in the industry. We hope you enjoy the episode. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

Now that's Significant
Making market research more impactful with Jennifer Trich Kremer

Now that's Significant

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 47:09


In this episode of Now that's Significant, a market research podcast, host Michael Howard is joined by Jennifer Trich Kremer, UX Research Lead for Logitech's digital experience. Jennifer studies consumer shopping behaviors and user experience benchmarking to deliver actionable insights. Her expertise spans qualitative and quantitative research, including combining analytics, market, and user research data to tell a holistic user story. Jennifer's focused on improving the user experience throughout her career, splitting time between design and research. Her work was integral in creating the first online ordering system for IBM, automating the manual printing process at Hewitt, and creating easy-to-use healthcare experiences. While her design experiences have been meaningful, she now focuses on research, data, and mentorship. On the episode, Michael and Jennifer discuss how market researchers can make their work more impactful, ensuring it has a place in an organization, and how it can be presented to different audiences. They also discuss Big Qual, where qualitative research is going, the three elements of today's qualitative research toolkit, and more. We hope you enjoy. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool.

The Red Box Politics Podcast
What's The One Thing Sunak Could Do?

The Red Box Politics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 29:07


With his party behind in the polls and some asking whether he'll survive until the autumn, what options does Rishi Sunak have to turn things around? Matt asks former leader Michael Howard and a panel of expert Tory watchers. Plus: A taster of the latest episode of How to Win an Election, where political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein discuss who could take over as next leader of the party.How To Win (01:21)What's The One Thing Sunak Could Do? (06:09) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare
E88: Who is thes Clausewitz Guy?

The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 8:14


Who is this Clausewitz guy?   The Army War College studies many different theories and theorists of war, from Thucydides of ancient Athens, Sun Tzu of Wu Dynasty in China, to Machiavelli, Mitchell, and present day theorists. One name stands out among the others, the early 19th century enlightenment era military philosopher, the Prussian Major General and War College Director, Carl von Clausewitz. It is not just the US Army War College. Russian and Chinese military teaching also centers on his ideas. Why? Who was he and why do I cite him so often in my podcasts (and in conversation, my papers, etc.) Working within my self-imposed limit of eight minutes, I try to explain this as best I can. These podcasts are not monetized or subsidized in any way. The opinions expressed in these podcasts are my own and do not necessarily reflect any organization I am or have ever been associated with – and fall far short of doing justice to Carl and Marie von Clausewitz. Reference: Clausewitz, C, On War, Edited and Translated by Michael Howard and Peter Paret ©1984 Music: Piefke, J.G. Preussens Gloria, Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/PreussensGloria_201708 Traditional, The Army Strings, Garryowen (Public Domain)