UX Research Geeks

Jen, a UX researcher at BECU and creator of BlatzChatz, discusses why traditional user personas fail to serve teams. She explains how her frustration with personas drove her to create her own framework - Scenario Alignment Canvas (SAC). She also shares how this method facilitates productive discussions, surfaces assumptions, and helps prioritize research opportunities, ultimately leading to more user-centric and effective design solutions.👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/jennifer-blatz-why-user-personas-failEpisode highlights00:01:14 - About Jen 00:02:27 - Jen’s journey to UX research 00:05:26 - Why user personas fail00:09:26 - How many teams struggle to use personas00:13:00 - Jen’s Scenario Alignment Canvas 00:18:18 - Running a Scenario Alignment Workshop00:20:40 - Jen’s tips on running a UX workshop 00:25:16 - Final advice About our guest Jen Blatz is a Principal UX Researcher at BECU (Boeing Employee Credit Union), one of the largest credit unions in the United States. Jen's path to UX started in journalism and graphic design, progressed to UX design, and finally landed in UX research and strategy. She has worked in a number of fields, including finance, mortgage, cloud storage, security, and pet health.Jen loves being active in the UX community and is the co-founder of the UX Research and Strategy group, one of the largest UX groups in the world. Jen is a seasoned conference speaker who has spoken at several UX International conferences. She spends her free time interviewing UX pros and creating videos for her YouTube channel called BlatzChatz.🔎 Where to follow Jen LinkedIn👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Stéphanie Walter, where she talks about overcoming the challenges of enterprise UX: https://www.youtube.com/live/d9p4ShC_fMA?si=eYEl_S0UErpJiT4B About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Jake Burghardt, author of "Stop Wasting Research," discusses how organizations leave valuable insights unused from past studies and explains how this happens due to poor preparation, lack of accountability, and weak integration into planning. He emphasizes that activating existing research requires active knowledge management beyond just repositories, and offers practical ways researchers can extend their impact by prioritizing insights across studies and making past research accessible during planning cycles.👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/jake-burghardt-recycling-researchEpisode highlights00:01:38 - About Jake 00:05:13 - How we waste research 00:07:45 - Why we forget about research findings 00:12:30 - Research acceptance in teams 00:17:25 - Promoting research for decision-making  00:22:08 - Research and knowledge management 00:27:14 - Final thoughtsAbout our guest Jake BurghardtJake Burghardt is a consultant, author, and speaker at IntegratingResearch.com. His mission is to shift expectations in the tech industry so that almost every important product roadmap, prioritization, and design decision is grounded in research about people and real-world systems.Jake helps organizations drive product value, outcomes, and quality by:- Extracting more impact from existing research assets- Achieving a useful mix of new research in collaborative communities of practice- Integrating insights into crucial product decisionsJake has 20+ years of experience in product research, vision, planning, design, and experimentation. Previously, he owned insight activation initiatives in Amazon’s Retail and Alexa divisions. Before working within research communities, Jake consulted on products in a range of domains, including “new space” engineering, power plant operation, cockpit avionics, genetics instrumentation, creative production, and financial trading.🔎 Where to follow JakeLinkedIn👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Stéphanie Walter, where she talks about overcoming the challenges of enterprise UX: https://www.youtube.com/live/d9p4ShC_fMA?si=eYEl_S0UErpJiT4B About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Amanda Di Dio, VP of Partnerships and Operations at Optimistic Design, brings her expertise in human-centered product development to the discussion. She emphasizes the importance of involving users as active stakeholders, advocating for co-creation in shaping product visions. Amanda shares insights on balancing user needs with technical capabilities and highlights practical strategies like engaging multidisciplinary teams in research. With lessons on embracing tension and continual learning, she inspires a more inclusive approach to product design.

Get 10% off your conference passes with our special code "uxtweakatuxcon". Tickets available at uxcon.io. Bryce, an inclusive designer at Microsoft and co-founder of the Inclusive Tech Lab, discusses the inclusive design process and the philosophy he adopted to create accessible and inclusive products with and for people with disabilities, especially in the gaming industry. Bryce also gives practical advice on where and how to engage with different users to create more accessible and inclusive designs. 👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/bryce-johnson-accessibility-and-inclusive-design/Episode highlights00:02:09 - Inclusive design approach and philosophy00:01:32 - Motivation for inclusive design 00:05:57 - The Xbox adaptive controller  00:08:38 - AI and accessibility00:10:51 - Participatory design and research 00:19:16 - Advice for researchersAbout our guest Bryce Johnson Bryce is an inclusive designer for Microsoft Windows + Devices, where he is devoted to ensuring Microsoft products are accessible. Bryce initiated and designed the Inclusive Tech Lab at Microsoft, which has now hosted over twenty thousand visitors; it is a facility where people can explore how people with disabilities interact with Microsoft products and services. He strives to design systems of accessibility enhancement, like the Surface Adaptive Kit, across our devices. Bryce is one of the inventors of the Xbox Adaptive Controller and a proud member of the Microsoft Adaptive Accessories team.🔎 Where to follow BryceLinkedIn👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Stéphanie Walter, where she talks about overcoming the challenges of enterprise UX: https://www.youtube.com/live/d9p4ShC_fMA?si=eYEl_S0UErpJiT4B About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Olivia Ponedel, a meticulous product designer at Meta with a rich background in startups, discusses the art of bridging gaps between product, sales, and engineering teams. She shares insights on flexible research methods tailored for startups and how aligning user feedback with business goals can influence product decisions. Olivia emphasizes the importance of collaboration and regular communication between teams to drive effective design choices and enhance user experiences. Her journey highlights how effective UX research can catalyze growth and innovation.

Hannah Knowles, a senior UX Researcher with over 10 years of experience in the field, discusses freedom in UX research. She talks about achieving flexibility in UX research, what it means to do things your own way, and how to have fun while doing UX research. She gives great practical advice on organizing research processes, adjusting frameworks for more effective research, and building relationships with other teams. 👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you too. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/hannah-knowles-freedom-in-ux-researchEpisode highlights00:00:34 Hannah’s journey into UX research 00:04:23 Defining freedom in UX research 00:11:36 Breaking the rules in UX research 00:21:03 Dealing with boredom in research 00:22:54 Automating and gamifying recruitment  00:24:36 Adopting to constraints and stakeholder management 00:31:43 Integrating research into daily activities00:31:43 Changes in public sector research 00:37:44 Being bold and practical in research00:40:08 Final thoughts About our guest Hannah KnowlesHannah is a UX researcher with over a decade of experience helping product teams make smarter, faster decisions. She has a thing for working on public sector services, the grittier the better, and nothing is grittier than healthcare (especially women's health).She worked her way up the chain to be head of research, but she just couldn’t keep away from the hustle of a product team. Instead, she’s focused on how to scale down UX research methods so even the leanest teams can get some insight.Her mantra? Good research comes in small packages. 🔎 Where to follow HannahLinkedIn 👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Stéphanie Walter, where she talks about overcoming the challenges of enterprise UX: https://www.youtube.com/live/d9p4ShC_fMA?si=eYEl_S0UErpJiT4B About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková,  a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Chui Chui, a cross-cultural researcher and strategist, discusses how to do cross-cultural research and why simply hiring a local research agency in the new market might not be the best approach. Chui Chui also shares practical tips and exercises on how to get buy-in from your stakeholders.👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you too. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/chui-chui-tan-mastering-cross-cultural-researchEpisode highlights00:01:32 - Cross-cultural research and strategy 00:03:33 - Case study: A dating app in Japan 00:06:37 - Understanding cultural ecosystems00:14:21 - Cultural activation toolkit 00:21:50 - Practical tips for cultural research 00:25:16 - Challenges in cross-cultural research00:29:38 - Planning and recruitment considerations 00:39:58 - Conclusion and resourcesAbout our guest Chui Chui Tan Chui Chui Tan is a cross-cultural strategist, advisor and author of Research for Global Growth: Strategies and Guidance for Cross-Cultural Insights. For over two decades, she has helped companies like Spotify, Netflix, Fiverr and Bumble expand and thrive in more than 50 markets, not by simply translating content but by culturalising their product strategies, proposition and growth plans through deep cultural and market intelligence.She works closely with product and UX teams to uncover the hidden cultural assumptions in design and decision-making, helping them build experiences that resonate globally and feel local everywhere.Chui Chui also advises at board and C-suite level, guiding leadership teams through international growth, cross-market complexity and culturally-informed innovation so products and businesses don’t just scale, they land.🔎 Where to follow Chui ChuiLinkedIn👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Stéphanie Walter, where she talks about overcoming the challenges of enterprise UX: https://www.youtube.com/live/d9p4ShC_fMA?si=eYEl_S0UErpJiT4B About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Tadeas Adamjak discusses the most common objections to UX research and how to overcome them using understanding, communication, and persistence. He stresses the importance of building alliances and maintaining regular conversations with stakeholders. 👉Note: This conversation is based on our Dealing with Resistance in UX Research report. 👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you too. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:Episode highlights00:01:36 – Meet the Head of Growth at UXtweak 00:01:48 – Challenges in UX research 00:04:52 – Common objections and their impact 00:07:55 – Top objections to UX research00:10:16 – Best strategies to overcome objections 00:14:43 – Tips for effective UX research 00:28:51 – Leveraging AI in UX research About our guest Tadeas AdamjakTadeas Adamjak is a CX/UX consultant and Head of Growth at UXtweak, a UX research platform that supports hundreds of research, product, and design teams worldwide. He is also one of the team members behind industry initiatives, including the 'Dealing with Resistance to UX Research' report, 'AI in UX Research' report, and Research Recruities: Award for the Best Recruiting Stories.🔎 Where to follow TadeasLinkedIn 👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Kevin Liang, where he talks about driving strategy in reactive environments. About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Bansi discusses her journey working with legacy systems, especially in healthcare and B2B. She dives into the tricky parts of updating old software, balancing the needs of users and businesses, and how to make things better without breaking what’s already working. 👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you too. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/guides/podcast/bansi-mehta-legacy-systems/Episode highlights00:07:32 – Key traits of legacy systems00:09:56 – Balancing Big Picture and Deep Research00:17:21 – Aligning business and research goals00:21:50 – The importance of edge cases00:24:36 – Managing power users vs. novices00:28:08 – Connect with Bansi on LinkedInAbout our guest Bansi MehtaBansi Mehta is a seasoned UX design leader with over 15 years of experience, having worked at Aims Digital, 3D PLM, and Cybage. In 2011, she founded Koru Technologies (rebranded as Koru UX Design LLP in 2017), aiming to bring consumer-grade UX to B2B and enterprise applications. What began as a vision to improve workplace UX has since evolved into a leading design agency specializing in B2B products and healthcare software solutions for North America. Bansi has led successful projects for clients such as eClinicalWorks, Redwood Software, and EasyHealth, using user-centered design to drive business success. Her mission is to craft meaningful user experiences that address complex business needs while improving daily user interactions.🔎 Where to follow BasiLinkedIn 👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Kevin Liang, where he talks about driving strategy in reactive environments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZVm112Io4k&list=PLHN9Xnxn7kezRonCw0uACirsurAYEGhNA&index=9&ab_channel=UXtweak About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

Su Milazzo talks about the role of operations in UX, especially where design and research operations overlap. She explains that operations work to reduce friction and improve workflows for internal teams, using empathy and change management to help them succeed.👉 Note: We apologize for the recording quality, which has been affected by technical difficulties. 👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you too. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/su-milazzo-building-effective-operations/Episode highlights00:03:02 - Defining Operations00:12:17 - Empathy and Observability in Research Ops00:21:01 - The Benefits of Ops00:27:10 - The Need for Specialized Ops Roles00:30:20 - What Makes a Good Design Ops Practitioner?00:33:32 - Closing ThoughtsAbout our guest Su MilazzoSu Milazzo is a design and product operations leader with over 10 years of experience driving change in UX and cross-functional operations. She has a proven track record leading global teams to create user-centered solutions for both internal and external clients. Su specializes in blending design, strategy, and operations with a strong focus on empathy, inclusive practices, and collaboration across all levels of an organization.🔎 Where to follow SuLinkedIn 👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Kevin Liang, where he talks about driving strategy in reactive environments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZVm112Io4k&list=PLHN9Xnxn7kezRonCw0uACirsurAYEGhNA&index=9&ab_channel=UXtweak About this podcast:Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them. 🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter