Now that's Significant Michael Howard

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.


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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 a

Join Michael Howard, Head of Marketing at Infotools, as he sits down with Victoria Sakal, Head of Growth at Wonder and GRIT Future List nominee, to discuss the evolving landscape of market research, and in an AI-powered world.


Victoria shares fascinating insights from Wonder's recent 'research on research', revealing how organizations are facilitating and utilizing market research across their entire structure, and how they are adapting their teams, processes, methodologies, and technology stacks in this new era.


Discover five key takeaways from their conversation:


1. High-performing teams prioritize asking the right questions. They emphasize understanding stakeholders' needs and framing inquiries effectively to ensure impactful outcomes.


2. Successful teams embrace a diverse research stack. They leverage a blend of primary, secondary, behavioral, and product data to gain a comprehensive understanding of their target audience.


3. Leading organizations maintain a healthy research cadence. They balance quick ad-hoc inquiries with ongoing monitoring and larger-scale projects to stay agile and informed.


4. AI tools are transforming research workflows. While researchers acknowledge AI's potential, they also express concerns about data privacy, accuracy, and the need for human oversight in analysis and decision-making.


5. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are crucial. Breaking down silos and fostering a culture of curiosity empowers teams to leverage insights effectively and drive better business decisions.


Tune in to gain valuable insights into the future of market research and learn how to harness the power of data in a rapidly changing world. Don't forget to subscribe to Now That's Significant on your favorite podcast platform for more insightful discussions.


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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.

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 he 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, 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.

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, 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.

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, 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.

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).


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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.