MRX Lab

To democratise data is to provide access, control and input over the research process to the end-users of data. There’s a huge range of benefits that this can provide, from better communication to more streamlined project management. But to create a true culture of insight is challenging. In this episode, we discuss the steps to success. After an introduction to the reasons why a company might con...

In this episode of the MRX Lab from FlexMR, we’re joined by Greg Morris, Senior Brand Research Manager at F1. Over the course of ten minutes, we evaluate the role of insight activation in market research – what it is, why it’s important and the impact that it can have. Greg shares his advice for engaging stakeholders throughout a research project, overcoming time constraints and turning insight in...

As the volume of available data sources increases and business decision making becomes ever-more distributed, how do you capture stakeholder attention and ensure insight has a seat at the table? That’s the question we explore whilst investigating new, emerging and creative reporting techniques. Joining us on the journey is Maria Twigge, Research Director at FlexMR. Over the course of the ten minut...

In an ever-expanding sea of options, it can be difficult to find the right mix of market research data collection methods. In this episode, we dive into the decision-making process and investigate how you can audit your research skills and investments in relation to the needs of your company. We discuss a set of four key questions that you should ask in order to develop the right balance. This pro...

What does it mean to humanise data? This episode dives into the meaning of this often-misunderstood option in the insight professional’s toolkit. We investigate the alternate definitions before working through an example of the ways in which buyer personas can be brought to life. We also touch on the dangers of humanising data and pinpoint the common challenges that both marketers and researchers...

In this episode of the MRX Lab from FlexMR, we’re joined by Dan Siddle, Senior Consumer and Brand Insights Manager for Western Europe at the Molson Coors Beverage Company. Across the ten minutes, we discuss how research and insight teams can dig deeper into business questions, understand what stakeholders need to know and prioritise projects in a fast-paced environment. Dan shares his advice for m...

In this episode of the MRX Lab from FlexMR, we look at the roles of customer, user and human experience research. What makes each of these domains different and where do they share similarities? We look back at the origins of UX and CX to investigate how they have evolved over time and what might be in store next. This episode also serves as a deep dive into the emerging field of human experience...

In this episode of the MRX Lab from FlexMR, we interview Charlotte Evans on how to effectively connect with long-term market research participants. An expert in engagement, Charlotte highlights why this is such an important topic for insight professionals to understand, in addition providing an overview of simple strategies that can be employed. We discuss the differences between participant engag...

In this episode of the MRX Lab from FlexMR, we speak with Sally Nicholls on how to approach the design stage of the research process. Drawing on years of industry experience, Sally highlights a number of the common challenges that insight professionals often face, and practical ways to overcome them. In particular, we discuss the role of robust debate - finding the common ground between insight pr...

In the second episode of the MRX Lab, we investigate what it takes to make research happen. Joined by Gareth Bowden and Sally Nicholls from FlexMR, the episode explores the common challenges and pitfalls that can hold up a project before it even gets off the ground – from business-wide input to budgetary decisions and sudden, unexpected developments. We also discuss the ways in which insight profe...

The MRX Lab podcast is back for a brand new season in 2021. In our first episode, we chat insights empowerment with FlexMR CEO, Paul Hudson. A 15+ year industry veteran, Paul explains how the modern pressures placed on research professionals are creating a strong need to find new ways of working. We discuss the role of efficiency, reach and influence as key drivers of change and investigate creati...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR, we look at the opposing forces of globalization and localization. What do these trends mean for the market research industry and how do they affect the work that we do? After a brief introduction, we examine the challenges that a connected world poses and identify ways local knowledge can be used to build a competitive edge. In the second half of...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR, we take an in-depth look at philosophical constructs of knowledge, and how our beliefs about the nature of information shape the very work we do. In particular, we discuss the ideas of rationalism, empiricism and pragmatism through the unique lens of the insights sector. Throughout the course of this episode, we investigate the theses that define...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR, we investigate three project management methodologies that are not agile. While agile research has quickly become part of the insights lexicon, there is much to be learnt from examining other techniques that have guided management principles over the past decades. Throughout the course of this episode, we dive into the manufacturing roots of wate...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR, we discuss a valuable but rarely discussed soft skill that plays a vital role in research – critical thinking. While strategic thinking may have taken the spotlight in recent years, the ability to think in a critical manner and minimise cognitive bias is one all insights professionals need to succeed. Throughout the course of this episode, we exa...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR, we talk about the economic principles that are relevant to the insights industry. We start by defining the key differences between behavioural and more traditional economics, as well as exploring how the two fields have blurred lines of enquiry in the past. Over the second half of the episode, we dive into a number of key economic ideas and how t...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we talk about the slow movement; cultural revolution against the notion that faster is always better. We identify some of the key areas that the movement has influenced and ask whether there is a place for market research that is conducted at a deliberately slow pace. Over the course of this 10 minute episode, we examine how science, journalism,...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we look at the forces of sacred & profane consumption, and their effects on consumer behaviour. We ask what relevance these marketing and branding theories from the late 1900s have to modern researchers and examine the ways in which our investigation of behaviour can be shaped by such a lens. After defining the sacred and profane, we discuss...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we explore the gig economy and ask whether it’s having an impact on the market research industry. We look at the societal changes taking place, shifting consumer attitudes, the effect on insights professionals and deep dive into conflicts with the practice of research sampling. Across the short episode, we consider how workforces are changing. A...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we dive into the niche world of table top RPGs and what they can teach us about telling more engaging stories. The episode focuses on the role of the Dungeon Master, the primary narrative function in these pen and paper games, and the methods they have developed for keeping players interested in tales that can last multiple months. We explore te...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we investigate the research to action divide and look to whether creative reporting techniques can provide a path to closing it. We hone in on advertising and art as two key fields from which to draw inspiration and examine the techniques used to motivate audiences and inspire action. We look at the role of attention, novelty and emotion in crea...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we look at the principles of journalistic ethics set out by the Ethical Journalism Network and the American Press Association. We’ll focus on four key principles in particular: the need to be truthful & accurate, the endeavour to be independent, the importance of loyalty to citizens and, finally, the concept of proportionality. We’ll also to...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we investigate the practice of design thinking and its relevance as a philosophy to market research and insight. We frame the context in which design thinking principles can be most effectively applied and break down the process into its component parts. The discussion also touches on learnings that we can take from design thinking into our day-...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we investigate the use of memes in online qualitative research, and how to decode the complex meaning that can be found in them. We take three examples from recent internet history; the emoticon, the distracted boyfriend and the Dolly Parton challenge - applying semiotic analysis to uncover the rich social and cultural data they reveal about tho...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast from FlexMR , we explore the relationship between insight professionals and software developers. In an era where researchers are 2.3x more likely to use an online survey than an offline alternative, it’s important to examine the skills, relationships and effects that development teams are having on the industry. And more important still is not just understand...