Welcome to the first episode of Research Mavericks, where we dive into the world of research, the future of AI, and myths of customer loyalty with Luke Williams, Senior Director of CX Measurement and Insights at Microsoft.

In this interview, Luke shares insights from his 20 years of experience in the world of research and sheds light on the role of research in understanding customer loyalty and driving business success.

Luke busts myths about customer loyalty and explains how loyalty is not declining, but instead, companies need to reevaluate their competitive differentiation strategies. He emphasizes that researchers are more essential than ever, especially as AI continues to advance. AI will empower researchers to become knowledge curators and organizers, elevating the value of research in business decision-making.

Join us in a conversation with Sanjay Motwani, General Manager of Artemis Health, an expert in customer research, in our latest episode of Research Mavericks!

In today’s episode, get a peek into Sanjay’s journey into the realm of customer research as he moved across various fields like insurance, telecom, and healthcare. Learn from his experience about the importance of meeting customers where they are and the power of omnichannel research.

We further explore the significance of listening to the voice of consumers in healthcare. Discover how this knowledge is crucial to drive improvements and enhance patient experiences in the healthcare industry.

Sanjay also sheds light on the need for comprehensive platforms and the ability to tailor research to unique business requirements. Excitingly, we also discuss the latest developments in the field, including generative AI to create more intelligent and personalized customer interactions.

Don't miss this episode as Sanjay unlocks the secrets to customer research and consumer satisfaction.

Join us in yet another fascinating episode as Jean-Marc, Founder of Léger and a longtime partner of Voxco, shares insights into his journey through the dynamic landscape of data collection from the early days to the current era of artificial intelligence.

The conversation delves into Léger's evolution over the years, becoming Canada's powerhouse in market research and analytics. Jean-Marc unveils the challenges and mysteries of polling, especially in the context of the silent minority – a potential game-changer in determining election outcomes.

We explore the unpredictability of the political landscape in the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election, discussing the factors that could sway voters and the intense competition between candidates. Learn how AI isn't here to replace researchers but to empower them, as Jean-Marc takes us through the evolution of the research industry, emphasizing the need for real intelligence before the era of AI dominance.

As the episode wraps up, Jean-Marc encourages budding researchers to be open to change and underscores the importance of following the money in the industry.

Join us on a riveting journey into the heart of polling and societal insights with Don Levy, Director of the Siena College Research Institute.

In today’s episode, Don unravels the intricacies of the 2024 US presidential election. He shares insights on what goes on behind the polls - from rigorous quotas and a shift to cell phone outreach to countering non-response issues, the challenges faced, and the critical role of less-engaged voters in pivotal battleground states.

Don also discusses the evolving landscape of polling, the importance of transparency, and the potential for data pooling to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of polling across the industry. He shares insights into the factors influencing the election outcome, including the small group of persuadables and the crucial role of voter enthusiasm.

The podcast wraps up with Don offering advice to budding pollsters, emphasizing transparency and education, and recognizing the dynamic interaction between the public, the press, and politicians.

In this episode of Research Mavericks, Kathy Cheng, the founder of Nexxt Intelligence, takes us through her extensive experience in the research industry, and we dive deep into the inspiration behind starting Nexxt Intelligence and how the company is revolutionizing survey experiences by incorporating generative AI and conversational elements.

Stay tuned as we discuss the impact of generative AI in probing and coding, as well as its potential applications throughout the research process. Kathy emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to improve speed and cost savings, enhance the overall quality of research, and make survey experiences more human.

As the conversation unfolds, Kathy explores what excites her the most in the current research landscape, touching on the transformative power of generative AI and its diverse applications.

Join us as we interview Dan Comenduley, Senior Marketing Insights Leader and Strategist.

In today’s episode, we learn what inspired Dan to start his insights career as he takes us through his journey as a student and as a researcher across different companies. He shares how his interest in understanding and knowing what customers are doing now and what they will do in the future played a big role in joining the insights space.

As we delve deeper, Dan explores the many challenges across different industries regarding churn prevention, cross-selling, and upselling. He shares his insights on how companies can resolve these issues and foster customer loyalty to their brand.

Stay tuned as Dan breaks down what constitutes the perfect customer journey, how different stages of customers’ lives impact their journey, and how they perceive a company.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Vignesh Krishnan, CTO of Rep Data and former CEO and Co-founder of Research Defender.

In this episode, Vignesh enlightens us about the primary goal of his company, which is to mitigate fraud and elevate data quality in the market research space. He informs us that 30 to 35% of fraudulent data plagues the industry due to duplication, VPN, or IP frauds.

Vignesh gives us a peek into how Research Defender works endlessly to improve data quality and shares some tips on defending your data against fraud.

The discussion covers the challenges in the research space that researchers should address to ensure good, actionable insights. Looking ahead, Vignesh shares what excites him in the research world and his thoughts on the future of the data industry and its growth.

In this episode of Research Mavericks, we have a conversation with Sam Pisani, the Founder and Managing Partner of Logit Group. Sam shares his remarkable journey into the world of data collection and research, from starting Logit Group as a grad student to its 25th-anniversary celebrations.

As the conversation unfolds, we discuss how the industry's focus on quality and innovation can help researchers navigate challenges and deliver valuable insights to clients.

Stay tuned as Sam and our host discuss the challenges researchers face today, emphasizing the importance of maintaining data quality and staying ahead of potential issues. Sam expresses his excitement for the incredible technological innovations that promise to revolutionize research, offering deeper insights and greater efficiency. However, he also highlights the need for vigilance in preventing misuse by bad actors.

We end today’s podcast with a special note from Sam as he offers valuable advice to the next generation of researchers, emphasizing the diversity of entry points and the benefits of gaining a broad foothold in the research field. He encourages aspiring researchers to immerse themselves in various aspects of research, from technology to behavioral science, and to explore postgraduate programs that can provide valuable education and opportunities.