One Knight in Product
Victoria Sakal's Hot Take - You're Either Paying the Research Tax or the Stupid Tax (with Victoria Sakal, Growth, Strategy, & Research Leader)
Oct 20, 2024
Victoria Sakal, a growth and go-to-market expert at Wonder, shares her insights on the costs of uninformed decision-making, introducing the concepts of 'research tax' and 'stupid tax.' She emphasizes finding the right balance between speed and quality in user research, drawing parallels from aviation and the Olympics. Victoria also explores how AI is transforming research, highlighting the importance of human expertise in interpreting data. Ultimately, she advocates for efficient strategies that leverage technology without sacrificing insight.
21:34
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Quick takeaways
- Companies face the 'research tax' by overspending and delaying decisions, while the 'stupid tax' arises from gut-feeling choices without evidence.
- Balancing efficient research with timely decision-making is essential, especially as AI evolves to shape the future of strategic insights.
Deep dives
Understanding the Stupid Tax and Research Tax
Making uninformed decisions in a professional setting incurs what is known as the 'stupid tax'. This concept highlights the costs associated with relying solely on gut feelings or limited anecdotal evidence when making business choices. On the other hand, the 'research tax' refers to the burdens resulting from inefficient or slow research processes, which ultimately hinder timely decision-making. Many professionals struggle with research, often finding it either too costly or time-consuming, leading to a cycle of inaccuracy and wasted resources.
