52. How to Choose the Right Research Providers for 2023
Sep 14, 2022
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Mike Stevens, Founder and Editor of Insights Platforms, discusses the need to blend self-service with human expertise, choosing the right research platform, what a good agency partnership looks like, the challenge of future-proofing, and emerging trends in the research space.
Res Tech (research technology) combines technology, managed services, and strategic work in research, highlighting the importance of expertise in technology and long-term partnerships with agencies.
Clients should move away from traditional project mindsets and focus on longer-term relationships with agencies based on retainers and agreed KPIs, emphasizing the need for agencies to provide strategic advice and consulting-grade insights.
Deep dives
The Emergence of Res Tech and Its Impact in 2023
The podcast episode discusses the concept of Res Tech (research technology) and its significance in the coming years. Res Tech refers to the optimal mix of technology, managed services, and strategic work in research. The guest, Mike Stevens, founder of Insight Platforms, explains that Insight Platforms is a website that serves as a directory of research providers, including technology service providers and data companies. It hosts online events, offers demos, and provides online video content and e-learning platforms. The episode also delves into the definition of the insights category, which encompasses a wide range of research-related areas, such as UX research, customer experience analytics, and product management. The trend of incorporating technology into research methods is highlighted, with an emphasis on the need for research teams to have expertise in technology and to consider building long-term partnerships with agencies that combine technology and professional services. Additionally, the episode touches upon the growth in demand for insights about people, the impact of machine learning and AI in qualitative research, the importance of integrations within platform ecosystems, and the continued importance of human curation and storytelling skills in research.
Improving Commercial Models in Engaging Research Agencies
The podcast episode highlights the need for improved commercial models when engaging research agencies. It suggests that clients should move away from the traditional project mindset and consider longer-term relationships with agencies based on retainers and agreed KPIs. The importance of selecting agencies that combine technology and professional services is emphasized, as well as the need for agencies to provide strategic advice and consulting-grade insights. The episode also discusses the necessity for clients to fix the broken commercial model by dedicating time and effort to selecting the right partners, rather than treating agency engagements as ad hoc or brief-focused. It stresses the importance of building knowledge assets and fostering long-term partnerships with agencies.
Future of Research: Language Models, Platform Ecosystems, and Human Curation
The podcast episode explores the future of research and highlights three key areas of focus. Firstly, it discusses the growth and impact of machine learning, deep learning, and AI, specifically the advancements in language models, which have the potential to shape the field of qualitative research. The episode mentions the utilization of AI language models like GPT-3 to synthesize qualitative interview content and generate automated summaries. Secondly, it emphasizes the significance of platform ecosystems and integrations in the research space, noting the importance of connecting research tools with broader systems of record and promoting seamless data exchange. Lastly, the episode underscores the enduring importance of human curation and storytelling in the research field. Despite the advancements in technology, the human ability to draw insights and make connections across different data sets remains crucial in delivering actionable insights and impactful research.
Thriving Research Trends: Res Tech, Technology Integration, and Expertise
The podcast episode identifies several thriving research trends. First, it highlights the emergence of Res Tech (research technology), which combines technology, managed services, and strategic work in research. Insight Platforms, a directory of research providers, is presented as an example of Res Tech. The episode discusses the broadening definition of the insights category, encompassing various areas including product management, UX research, and customer experience analytics. The significance of technology integration within research platforms and the need for agencies to embrace technology while providing consulting-grade insights is also emphasized. Additionally, the episode underscores the importance of expertise and human curation in research, as well as the potential impact of language models and AI in qualitative research methodologies. These trends contribute to the growth of the research industry and its evolving landscape.
Do you know how to choose the right research providers?
In a market research landscape filled with mixed offerings, choosing the best options for your needs can be difficult. Do you choose a technology platform or a strategy consultant? Today’s guest, Mike Stevens, Founder and Editor of Insights Platforms, cuts through the ever-growing research landscape to help you narrow down your decisions.
Mike discusses the need to blend self-service with human expertise, why it’s hard only to offer SaaS within market research, how choosing tech is a discipline itself, and why we need to fix the commercial model of responding to briefs.
Tune in to learn: • What’s happening in the research space • How to select a research platform • What a good agency partnership looks like • The challenge of future-proofing
Thanks to Mike for all he does with Insight Platforms and for speaking with us today.
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