Ponderings from the Perch

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry.

Priscilla McKinney, call sign Momma Bird, welcomes Karen Lynch, Head of Content at Greenbook, to the cockpit. Together, they pull back the curtain to examine industry events both as organizers and as attendees! 

Karen’s passion is to bring the best content to the Greenbook stage, to make sure the audience gets the ultimate experience. To do that, she has adopted the mantra “Always be Curating.” She says though Greenbook events appeal to a wide variety of industries (tech, MRX, entrepreneurs, etc.) the connecting thread between all attendees is a growth mindset. Her curation spans a multitude of sources to ensure the content honors the breadth of attendees.

They discuss Karen’s methodology for organizing content to span the variety of Greenbook events, both location-specific and topically themed. Karen also shares with Priscilla her three-part outline to maximize events for attendees. By dividing the event into three parts, she offers tips to build clarity and purpose. 

Karen also highlights the importance of making genuine connections - a decisive shift away from the non-stop selling mentality centered around building relationships with others: “It’s really quite special what you do when you just say, ‘I just want to get to know people.’”

SPONSORS

Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

“Slam the brakes, lay off employees.” Corporate America is out of the frying pan and into… the dumpster fire! Wait, what’s going on?!

Today on Ponderings from the Perch, host Priscilla McKenny and Sasha McCune, Director at Conifer Research, are untangling the knots of post-pandemic paralysis and indecision in Corporate America.

Sasha is a strategic insights and design research leader, innovator, vision-setter, avid traveler, espresso junkie and tropical plant lover. As Director at Conifer Research, she specializes in ethnographic research, innovation programs, behavioral research and digital ethnography.

From Sasha’s experience, she has gathered insight into the leading cause of post-pandemic paralysis in the corporate world.

It’s vision. Or rather, the lack of vision. Companies are dropping the ball left and right by not providing their team VISION for where they are going. People need goals. Those who aim at nothing hit it with remarkable accuracy. Stuck in fear of financial setbacks and laying off hundreds, employers have left employees with a lack of belief and trust in their company.

Prominent leaders aspire to reintroduce a sense of culture within the workplace, yet they often lack a comprehensive understanding of what their culture is.

How can leaders reintroduce a thriving workplace culture, instilling belief and courage into employees? It all starts with listening. Listening to employees and this episode, of course! Tune in to find out how to move past the paralysis plaguing the corporate world.

Get ready for a fantastic Insights Marketing Day! With networking opportunities, a marketing practitioners panel, delicious meals, gelato, and exciting prizes, this event promises to be both informative and enjoyable. Don't miss out on Insights Marketing Day in Chicago on September 28th. Visit littlebirdmarketing.com/insights-marketing-day for more information.

But wait! Don’t let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing’s 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/ 

Need even more information on instilling workplace COURAGE and building up your team? We got you: Fostering Meaningful Team Connections with Ryan Jenkins

The success of any event depends on careful planning, at Little Bird Marketing, we always say, “There ain’t no party like a Little Bird party!” Listen in for great tips about creating an unforgettable event that will further your B2B marketing strategies.

This episode provides great conversation starters for your team about how you can get strategic, be mindful of first impressions and accurately document the event to maximize the marketing ROI.

As ideal client buyer experts of course, we start with thoughts on proper assessment of your most ideal client, but here with a twist about how to curate a great list from meaningful thoughts on marketing strategy. We provide some great ideas to spark creativity around first impressions and how to set the stage for great expectations when people do arrive at your event. Finally, we provide insight into how to extend the life and value of your investment in the event.

As B2B digital marketing events experts, we hope you found these tips helpful and that they will inspire you to plan your next unforgettable event.

Shoutout to this episode’s sponsor: Fieldwork.

Searching for a research partner to handle the details of your next qualitative project? When we say Fieldwork can handle it all, we mean it. From world-class facilities to low-incident recruitment, their team of experts handles the details so you can stay focused on the research. Say goodbye to traditional focus group rooms and recruitment tactics. As market research has grown from the standard focus group to incorporate other innovative methodologies and technologies, Fieldwork has expanded along with it with facilities nationwide and sophisticated global recruitment services. Their detail-oriented staff partners with you to achieve great insights. Focus on the research Fieldwork will do the rest.

Don’t let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing’s 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/ 

LAYERS! Onions have layers. Languages have layers. You get it, they both have layers. 

We’re not afraid of communicating through Shrek quotes, but we know with communication it's not just what you say, it's how you say it that unlocks the door to connection and understanding!

In this episode, Little Bird Marketing CEO Priscilla McKinney is joined by fellow Spaniard Carlos Hevia, director of business development at Multilingual Connections. Today’s discussion unveils the artwork of language and the science behind opening the door to international insights.

Accurate translation plays a vital role in the market research world. Without asking questions in the proper dialect, reliable data cannot be obtained. As Carlos highlights, “If you are not speaking their language, you might not find your insights the way you want to.” With language variations present, it takes the ability to see both sides of the language coin to elicit open and honest responses.

All journeys begin with a single step. Your translation and transcription journey is no different. A roadmap for success from Multilingual Connections will guide you through the steps you can take before giving your project to a trusted language service provider. Download A roadmap for success!

Don’t let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing’s 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

Social Media Pillar Page Promo) - FIELDWORK (PR) - Social Influence (MR)

Ready to dive into the importance of social media in building a successful digital presence for your business? With over 4.62 billion people across the world using social media, it’s clear that a strong social media strategy is crucial for any business looking to succeed in the digital age.

As experts in the field, we share our knowledge about what it takes to build an authentic brand by showcasing your values, company history, and mission and getting your tone of voice right on social media. We share tangible ways to make your social media posts more personable to make your brand more accessible and create posts that better resonate with your most ideal audience.

We address the importance of building an engaged community on social media. Just like at a cocktail party, you want to interact with your customers and have meaningful conversations that spark discussion and increase brand awareness. We also debunk the myths surrounding employee advocacy programs that are not effective and really, a waste of everyone’s time. Instead, we offer ways to drive meaningful connections and improve social media plans and emphasize the importance of measuring your efforts for constant improvement.

If you’re ready for a more effective social media strategy that drives engagement and builds brand awareness, then tune in!

Want a guide to go along with this work? Just download this resource: https://trello.com/c/un0SPxsU/1477-the-benefits-of-social-media-marketing-a-guide-for-businesses

Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor Fieldwork.

Searching for a research partner to handle the details of your next qualitative project? When we say Fieldwork can handle it all, we mean it. From world-class facilities to low-incidents recruitment, their team of experts handles the details so you can stay focused on the research. Say goodbye to traditional focus group rooms and recruitment tactics. As market research has grown from the standard focus group to incorporate other innovative methodologies and technologies, Fieldwork has expanded along with it with facilities nationwide and sophisticated global recruitment services. Their detail-oriented staff partners with you to achieve great insights. Focus on the research Fieldwork will do the rest. 

Don’t let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing’s 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

Coffee and writers go together like plot twists and cliffhangers – they fuel the creative chaos and keep the words flowing!

But here's a twist: When you grab your Starbucks, you're not just getting a caffeine fix, you're purchasing a story! And even if you prefer to shop locally, guess what? You're still buying into a narrative.

In this episode, Little Bird Marketing CEO Priscilla McKinney is joined by Kristian Alomá, founder and CEO of Threadline, to discuss psychological research and the cross between a narrative economy and the building blocks of a brand.

Don’t consider yourself an Instagram influencer when you post that photo snagging that Starbucks cup? Kristian discusses the popularity of Starbucks and how its logo is the most photographed on Instagram, demonstrating that people are not merely buying their coffee for the caffeine. They are incorporating Starbucks into their self-perception and the narratives they have constructed about themselves. On the other hand, individuals may choose not to purchase Starbucks because it doesn't align with their desired narrative, opting instead for a local, artisanal coffee shop.

Kristian provides clarity between story and narrative. The story is the thing that is told or expressed. The narrative is the idea behind it all.

The idea that "love always wins" is a narrative concept. However, different stories like Shrek, The Notebook, and You've Got Mail each depict this idea in distinct ways. Kristian explains that comprehending individual stories is required in order to grasp the larger narrative. When brands make this effort, they can connect with their audiences on a deeper level.

Tune in to this episode as Priscilla and Kristian delve deeper into the captivating world of narratives, storytelling, and brand experiences that go far beyond a simple cup of coffee.

As promised, prepare to embark on an exhilarating journey through the narrative economy as Kristian Alomá unveils the secrets of brand building in his captivating must-read: Start With the Story Brand Building in a Narrative Economy

Get ready for a fantastic Insights Marketing Day! This event brings together expert speakers who are authorities in digital marketing and thought leadership, offering powerful and engaging presentations. Attendees will gain essential tips, actionable advice, and tools to improve their company's marketing. With networking opportunities, a marketing practitioners panel, delicious meals, gelato, and exciting prizes, this event promises to be both informative and enjoyable. Don't miss out on Insights Marketing Day in Chicago on September 28th. Visit littlebirdmarketing.com/insights-marketing-day for more information.

The A student’s worst nightmare… The teacher says, “Grab a partner, it's group project time!”

Perhaps you think it a ruthless generalization to say the task of a group project often forces one student with the ability, drive, and support from home to do all the work. But this was Little Bird Marketing CEO Priscilla McKinney’s exact experience when her son came home from school one fateful day.

News flash! The 5th grader group project setup doesn’t end with 5th grade. Turns out, it extends to the corporate world. When talking about collaborations in the corporate sphere, Priscilla was met with resistance. What business leaders THOUGHT was a collaboration was really just a Kumbaya moment.

Sure, we could sing All Together Now if you’re more of a Beatles fan, but that doesn’t get the work done! Getting people next to each other doing similar things DOES NOT equate to collaboration. It's not a win-lose situation. True collaboration means bigger wins for everyone. THAT'S what pushed Priscilla to write a book. Yep, Cultural Anthropologist, aspiring lunch eater, champagne aficionado, and social selling expert has now added AUTHOR to her titles. 

Want to know the framework for setting true collaboration in motion? Listen to today’s full episode for the three big factors of collaboration that lead to success!

The Market Research Podcast Award is back! And it’s time to nominate your favorite kick-ass market research podcast for a chance to win the coveted title of MR Podcast of the Year. 

Nominations are open now through June 30th, and voting will open from July 1st to August 12th. 

Nominate your absolute favorite podcast in the insights industry at littlebirdmarketing.com/mr-podcast-award! 

The winner will be announced at Insights Marketing Day on September 28th. Will your favorite insights podcast make the cut?

Whether you are a Sriracha, Tabasco or Cholula type of person— the secret sauce of great client relationships is guaranteed to be less spicy and less controversial.

So what is the secret sauce? And who is the keeper of this said sauce?

Mindset.

Little Bird Marketing CEO Priscilla McKinney is joined by the President of Fieldwork Seattle, Adrien Whittemore, as they discuss the importance of client relationships and how the right perspective can change a client into a friend.

Trust goes a long way, and the trick behind building trust is showing clients they are more than just another piece of a project. Good client relationships are centered around building friendships and partnerships with clients rather than just treating the relationship as a transaction. After all, there is a common goal that both sides are working towards. It’s a team effort. *Cues We're All in This Together*

Adrien stresses the value of going the extra mile, having an attitude of helpfulness, and anticipating clients’ needs. This can mean going out of the way to make things easy for clients, whether that is setting up Zoom calls or providing necessary information upfront.

As Adrien states so perfectly, “Well-managed expectations avoid disappointment, and my recommendation would be to have a high bar to start with, but promise what you're able to deliver, and then always aim to exceed expectations.”

It may be a little sweet and sour to hear. Great client relationships don’t come easy, but Fieldwork is known for creating an end-to-end experience that sets one research project apart from another.

Adrien Whittemore has been with Fieldwork since 2000, where she started as a recruiter at Fieldwork Seattle and was quickly promoted to database manager. In 2003, Adrien moved to NYC and worked as the Recruiting Supervisor at Fieldwork New York-Westchester. She returned to her West Coast roots to manage the day-to-day operations, anchoring Fieldwork Seattle’s downtown location. Most recently, in Nov 2021, she became President of Fieldwork Seattle. Born in Northern California and raised in the greater Seattle area, Adrien has a firm handle on the Northwest market though she also loves traveling and exploring new cityscapes and their offerings.

Outside of work, she can be found hanging out with her gang of Chihuahuas; Lola & Roman, shopping for shoes and trying to learn how to pack in a carry-on before her next flight takes off.

Shoutout to this episode’s sponsor:

Searching for a research partner to handle the details of your next qualitative project? When we say Fieldwork can handle it all, we mean it. From world-class facilities to low-incidents recruitment, their team of experts handles the details so you can stay focused on the research. Say goodbye to traditional focus group rooms and recruitment tactics. As market research has grown from the standard focus group to incorporate other innovative methodologies and technologies, Fieldwork has expanded along with it with facilities nationwide and sophisticated global recruitment services. Their detail-oriented staff partners with you to achieve great insights. Focus on the research Fieldwork will do the rest.

Calling all snackers! We love a good snack here at the Nest! But have you heard of social snacking? Your mom called and was worried your snacking might ruin your meal, but she should be worried that social snacking can lead to disconnection. 

Today, our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, talks with Ryan Jenkins to discuss breaking the connection barriers in the workplace. As Wall Street Journal best-selling leadership author of Connectable, Ryan has surveyed over 2,000 workers worldwide to discover the answers for quality connection and belonging and why sometimes technology that could enable connection actually thwarts it.

Now don’t take this the wrong way. Sending a quick text to a friend is good. But as Ryan points out, it takes intentionality to visit that friend. As humans, we follow the path of least resistance, so we choose convenience over connection if we’re not intentional. We’re wired for connection, and social snacking may keep our loneliness at a manageable level and keep us from reaching out for something more sustaining.

Ready to give your team a sense of belonging and connection? Take a seat, grab a snack (but no social snacking) and listen in closely for the story of how Joseph Strauss, the structural engineer behind the Golden Gate Bridge, fostered a sense of connection with a net.

Don’t let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing’s 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/ 

How does a global research company become the Obi-Wan Kenobi of the industry, providing a framework for the most difficult projects? What does a global research Jedi’s day-to-day reality look like?

Today on Ponderings from the Perch, Stacey Weber, VP of Gazelle Global, shares her expert insight from over 20 years of experience in online and traditional research methods. Stacey’s expertise lies in uncovering which methodology will work best to reach the right respondents and produce the insights the client is seeking.

As highlighted by Stacey, clients often come not knowing what is needed or how to reach the target they're looking for and get the insights required for their project. While anyone can make a quick online search for a research firm in another country, they don't necessarily know about that particular country or the companies that operate there.

Stacey shares insight on insourcing versus outsourcing market research, managing human resources, and how to help clients navigate the complexities of global research with ease. With a deep understanding of local markets and a network of reliable partners across the world, Gazelle Global is the go-to company for businesses looking to expand their reach and tap into new markets.

Shoutout to this episode’s sponsors:

Don’t let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing’s 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/