MRX Lab

AI is pushing the boundaries of market research. From augmenting or modelling quantitative studies with synthetic data to simplifying fieldwork and conducting complex qualitative analysis - nearly every aspect of the industry has been touched by the technological revolution. But how are clientside research teams adapting to this shift? We speak to Billy Budd from Coventry Building Society to find out.

In this jam-packed episode, we discuss the various ways that clientside researchers are evaluating the plethora of AI tools on the market, what teams look for and how such tools are transforming work. We deep dive into examples from Billy's own experience, plus consider the impact on the wider business and direct stakeholders alike.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Billy Budd, Customer Insight Specialist @ Coventry Building Society

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The insight industry is awash with methods and techniques for data collection and analysis. But as an organisational function, we still pay too little attention to the marketing and communication of the work that we do. Although many endeavour to become better storytellers, it's apparent that much value is still locked behind debriefs and powerpoint decks.

So how do we unlock that value? In this MRX Lab episode, we speak with Emily James, Content Manager at FlexMR, about how to communicate and market data within an organisation. How to turn the techniques we use to understand and influence consumers to internal audiences, creating engaging narratives and deliverables that are memorable and long-lasting.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Emily James, Content Manager @ FlexMR

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the MRX Lab, we speak with Iain Stanfield - Insight Lead at Specsavers on the challenges that client-side research teams face and practical ways to overcome them. In particular, we hone in on the disconnect that can arise between stakeholder needs, expectations and insight priorities. We explore the need for teams to sense and respond to business changes, plus how to develop capacity for foresight.

In addition, we discuss the parallels between insight and marketing - how the two interrelated professions can learn from each other and what it means to adopt a two speed approach. Check out the full episode to hear more.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Iain Stanfield, Insight Lead @ Specsavers

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Does the insight industry need a rebrand? Do researchers need to be more confident in our role as drivers of brand growth? These are some of the thorny questions we dive into throughout this discussion with Paul Griffiths of Client Advocates, drawing on his 10+ years years of experience advising both senior client-side leaders and agencies alike.

We also explore the wide variety of commercial challenges facing the industry today: from diminishing budgets to inflated expectations, new competition and shifting priorities. Check out the full 30 minutes for all of this and more.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Paul Griffiths, Founder @ Client Advocates

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

The market research landscape is a challenging one to navigate - drawing professionals from social sciences, business management and academic disciplines. What that creates is an environment in which future leaders need to hone both practical research, and a complex set of interdisciplinary, skills to succeed.

In this episode, we speak to Harriet Williams, Insight Manager at FlexMR who was shortlisted for the prestigious GRIT Future List and named as Significant Insights 30 Under 30 honoree in 2024. We discuss her path to market research, advice for new researchers and the challenges that the industry has yet to overcome.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Harriet Williams, Insight Manager @ FlexMR

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

As marketers, brand managers and insight professionals seek better ways to create emotional connections with audiences, video has long stood as an attractive, creative medium that commands attention. In this episode, we speak to Harry McGill, Co-Founder and Creative Director at McGill Productions, about what makes film and video such a powerful storytelling tool – and how the best in the business harness it.

We discuss what it takes to create an emotional, compelling and memorable story on screen, and what can be learnt from the process. We highlight the importance of audience understanding and the role of empathy building, as well as connecting narratives to tangible results. Listen now to find out more.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Harry McGill, Co-Founder & Creative Director @ McGill Productions

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

Despite recent advances in data collection, analysis and communication – asking questions is still the lifeblood of the insight industry. So why, then, is the quality of this vital component of our craft so often overlooked? In this episode of the MRX Lab, we speak to FlexMR CEO Paul Hudson about the challenges associated with determining and raising survey standards, plus how a renewed focus on participant experiences might provide the answer.

We explore the role of benchmarking, industry collaboration and co-design of standards in addressing this critical issue. Additionally, we examine the barriers to implementation, and seek to answer why such initiatives are difficult to implement – despite the drivers of a positive participant experience being widely known.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Paul Hudson, CEO @ FlexMR

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠⁠

Or connect via ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠

How do you turn insight from a routine, mundane process into a driver of transformative change and competitive advantage for your business? With over 15 years experience developing teams and functions for leading UK brands - including British Airways, Halfords, and Saga - Debra Walmsley explains how in our opening episode of Season 5.

We discuss the skills, roles and competencies that research teams should look to develop, as well as the importance of internal sponsors and the steps to build a strong business case. We also investigate the changing landscape of client-side research and how to deliver value in a post-covid, hybrid world.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Debra Walmsley, Customer Insight Consultant

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠
Or connect via ⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠Facebook

If 2023 is to be remembered for one technological boom, it will be the explosive growth of generative AI. In this episode, we speak to Phil Sutcliffe, Managing Partner of Nexxt Intelligence inca about what that means for the research industry, how new modes of working will develop and why AI represents the biggest opportunity to improve insight since the dawn of the internet.

Across this 30 minute episode, we explore some of the present-day applications in ResTech, including conversational surveys and the holy grail for many insight teams - qual at the scale of quant. We also touch on potential future applications that may enter the mainstream conversation soon, such as synthetic users and fully automated projects.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Phil Sutcliffe, Managing Partner at Nexxt Intelligence inca

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠⁠www.flexmr.net⁠⁠

The role of research doesn’t end at the point of debrief. To create a successful, valued insight function it’s vital to engage with key business challenges, large and small. In this jam-packed episode, Nicola Stevens shares her experience building a research team from scratch – and the lessons learnt along the way.

We discuss the role of post-debrief decision sessions, the value of running small scale experiments, and the different ways of determining value. The episode also touches on the importance of honesty, outreach and the process of winning trust from colleagues across your business. So tune in to find out how your research team can grow into flourishing decision consultants.

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Presented by: Chris Martin, CMO @ FlexMR

Featuring: Nicola Stevens, Head of Insight at Close Brothers Motor Finance and Close Brothers Premium Finance

For more info on FlexMR, visit ⁠www.flexmr.net⁠