Use October 2015 to become a Smarter Researcher

Last week at Vision Critical’s London Summit I presented the case that market researchers and insight professionals need to become Smarter Researchers, and we handed out copies of my new book on the topic (download it here).

People seemed to be really happy with the evidence and the recommendations and many asked for a simple way to get started. So, here is my recommendation for October.

October has five Tuesday’s, so I am suggesting 5 videos for you to watch, i.e. one a week. Ideally watch them at work, with colleagues. Afterwards discuss the main things you learned and how they might best be used by your team and your organisation.

The five videos are:

• Hans Rosling: ‘The best stats you have ever seen’. This is a TED video (one of several Rosling has made). Look at the way he takes complex issues and complex data and makes the message simple and engaging through storytelling and graphics. Click for link

• Derek Silvers: ‘How to start a movement’. Another TED video and this one will have a major impact on how you think influence and influence marketing works. Click for link

• Ben Wellington: ‘How we found the worst place to park in New York City – using big data’. This TED video highlights how data can, with some work, be used to provide new and interesting revelations about the world around us, and should stimulate ideas for how you and your team can use data. Click for link

• Common Craft: ‘Augmented Reality’. Common Craft produce some really great videos, explaining various things, especially social and tech. This video is just 2 minutes long and illustrates how information can and should be communicated – it also tells you about augmented reality. Click for link
• Guy Kawasaki: ‘The 10:20:30 pitch rule’. Guy Kawasaki is a thought leader in the venture capital business and in this short video he gives some great advice on presentations, based around his 10:20:30 rule. Click for link

If this post receives enough attention then I will make it a regular feature. What links would you add or recommend?

BTW, if you are in North America, then another way to become a smarter research is to join me at the GreenBook No Nonsense Tour (New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago) or at the Vision Critical Summit in Chicago.