Can You Build Empathy With Experiential Research?

A blizzard is moving in on the Northeast and most of us are hunkering down for the next couple of days. To help you pass the time in a constructive way, I thought I'd post this video from a presentation my friend Mike Carlon recently delivered to the Market Research Association. Mike is the owner of Vertigo Partners, a marketing consultancy that helps clients uncover and apply consumer, shopper, and cultural insights. 

Mike is not only a very knowledgeable researcher, he's also a great presenter and a pretty funny guy. I promise you'll learn something from this video and probably laugh a few times too. One thing is for sure, after you watch this, if you run into him at the supermarket, you'll know a great way to ask him where the eggs are.  

Here's Building Consumer Empathy Through Qualitative Research: Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Part 1


Part2

Part 3

The Facebook Focus Group

Ever wonder where Facebook gets all of their wonderful ideas? Let's sit in on one of their focus groups. 

When is the Best Times to Send Email?

This is one of the most useful infographics I have ever seen. How many times have you hit "send" on a newsletter or email blast and wondered if you picked the right time?

Thanks to the folks over at MarketingProfs for this one. Click here for a better look at the graph and to read the whole article.

Uncorking a Story

Today I'd like to shamelessly plug my friend Michael Carlon's podcast, Uncorking a Story. Mike is a market research moderator and head of Vertigo Partners. Mike is also a kindred spirit in that we both have an affinity for pop culture and far too much trivia and useless knowledge in our heads.

They say "In vino veritas." (A Latin phrase that translates, “in wine [there is the] truth".) That certainly rings true here. What's great about this podcast is that Mike and his guest will discuss the topic of the day over a glass or two of wine. When I think back to some of the great conversations I've had, I remember more than a few involving a bottle of wine. Even over your laptop speakers, you'll get a relaxed and honest vibe, as if you have pulled up a chair and poured yourself a glass.

Here is what Uncorking a Story is all about, in Mr. Carlon's own words.

Listen up as professional moderator Michael Carlon talks to guests from the worlds of business, the arts, and entertainment about their paths to success; usually over a bottle of something red or white. There is no script so you never know where each conversation will go. Laugh along with Mike and his guests.

You can check out the podcast here. (http://vertigopartners.com/Podcast.html)

I suggest uncorking your own bottle of wine while you listen. For the full effect.

Cheers.

Social Media Seminar for the MRA of NY

I have been so busy with my video podcasts, the holidays and the upcoming launch of the Purple Goldfish book, that I never got around to posting a few pictures from the social media seminar I conducted for the NY chapter of the MRA recently. Here's a few shots. Thanks to the MRA for having me and a shout out to all the great people who attended. I had a blast.

MRA of Greater NY Social Media Seminar

Last night I spoke at the GNY Marketing Research Association Fall event. The topic was Social Media: Get In, Get Out, Get On with Your Day. A look at how to use social media to build your business or your personal brand. A few things covered included the questions to ask yourself before you dive into social media and how to create a manageable social media plan that fits into your schedule.

I had a wonderful time and met a lot of great people. Pics and more details to come.

MRA Hot Seat with John Bremer

Check out the latest MRA Hot Seat Video with John Bremer of Toluna. Toluna used to be Greenfield Online, and part of the Greenfield family of companies that I spend many years in. So I was excited to hear what John had to say.

This is time around the Hot Seat is hosted by Paul Kirch and produced by me... as usual. We have some great guests coming up in the coming months, so stay tuned. And don't forget to pass on the link!

MRA Hot Seat Ep. 8 Part 2: Social Media and Market Research w/ Tom H. C. Anderson

Here is part two of my MRA Hot Seat interview with Tom H. C. Anderson, CEO of Anderson Analytics and founder of the Next Generation Market Research group, which is a major LinkedIn group and social media community that is changing the game in the research industry... both from a research standpoint and a personal branding perspective.

MRA Hot Seat Ep. 8: Text Analytics w/ Tom Anderson

Here's part one of my two part interview with Anderson Analytics CEO, Tom H. C. Anderson. Tom i is also the founder of the Next Generation Market Research Group: NMGR, one of the largest and most influential online market research communities. In our conversation we discuss social media, text analytics and the uses of social media in market research, marketing and personal branding.

MRA Tribute Video

This is a tribute video for a board member of the MRA that is stepping down. Paul Kirch and I conceived of the concept and questions. Paul executed the interviews and I put together the video.

MRA Hot Seat Ep. 5

The new episode of the MRA Hot Seat has been posted. This time Simon Chadwick of Cambiar Consulting. Presented by the Greater NY Chapter of the MRA, the Hot Seat video podcast is a spotlight for it's members, who are some of the brightest starts in the market research industry. The MRA Hot Seat is hosted and produced by Paul Kirch and Jack Campisi.

MRA Hot Seat Ep. 1

Recently I joined forces with the MRA Greater NY Chapter to present a new series of video interviews featuring and spotlighting the various members of the group. The series, called the MRA Hot Seat, is designed to present relevant and compelling content for the group as well as provide a platform for people to introduce themselves, share knowledge and even sneak in a quick plug for their businesses.

Here's the first interview with current Marketing Research Assoc. (GNY) Chapter President, Janet Baldi.