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  • The Bright Future of the Market Research Industry

    The Bright Future of the Market Research Industry
    2025/04/04
    Could the market research industry be entering its golden age? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest, CEO and Founder of OpinionRoute, Terence McCarron, about modernizing consumer insights and delivering meaningful competitive insights. They explore the intersection of technology and human expertise in market research, focusing on helping small to mid-sized firms overcome challenges with feasibility, data quality, and disjointed processes. McCarron shares insights on AI's role in consumer insights, noting it's not about replacing human-derived samples but creating a synthesis. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the needs of research clients rather than complicating their world with industry jargon. "I think we're about to enter what's going to become 20 years of [the industry's] golden age, but I am absolutely bullish about the small to mid-size agency," McCarron explains. "AI is going to be this massive tool that's going to unlock the creativity [necessary], even on the quant side." The conversation also explores how modernizing a research firm isn't just about implementing new technology – it requires establishing strong process excellence and guiding principles first. McCarron explains that the goal is to move companies from "ad hoc to organized," creating systems that enable researchers to provide better competitive insights and client consultation. They address the future of the market research industry and how, despite current concerns about data quality, companies are better positioned to address these challenges with the right approach. Sponsors: Little Bird Marketing proudly supports the Marketing Research Education Foundation's 2025 Race Around the World for Education. This virtual event in May 2025 promotes STEAM education in underserved communities. Participants log miles to circle the globe three times and aim to raise $90,000. Form a company team to compete with other market research firms! Become a sponsor to help provide quality STEAM education to children who need access. For registration and more information, visit: https://www.mrgivesback.org/ Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. “The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went,” she explains. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks—it teaches you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    29 分
  • How Social Selling Skills on LinkedIn Build Professional Influence

    How Social Selling Skills on LinkedIn Build Professional Influence
    2025/03/28
    Is your LinkedIn profile just a digital resume or a powerful business development tool? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest, keynote speaker, and Account Director at Savanta, Jake Pryszlak, about mastering social selling and building influence on LinkedIn. They discuss Jake's journey as "The Research Geek" and how his thought leadership evolved from differentiating himself during a job search to opening doors for new business opportunities. They tackle the challenges of standing out in the market research industry, where companies offer similar services with nearly identical messaging. Jake shares his unique approach to content creation, which solves real industry problems rather than just sharing news. "I never really found a newsletter that was talking about [how] they've got this problem," Jake explains. "That's why I created the newsletter to talk about problems I've had in the past in the industry and how I've tried to overcome them." The discussion includes actionable LinkedIn tips, with Pryszlak emphasizing the importance of mobile optimization for posts and Priscilla sharing her alphabet tagging technique. Both agree that investing in personal branding—whether through financial resources or time—delivers measurable ROI for both individuals and their employers. Pryszlak reveals how his personal branding journey faced resistance, sharing a story about being questioned by a former employer about his LinkedIn activity. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    33 分
  • Marketing Strategy and Networking Tips from an Event Planning Expert

    Marketing Strategy and Networking Tips from an Event Planning Expert
    2025/03/21
    Is your company missing out on the power of bespoke events for business growth? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest Tara Mackay, Head of Global Events at The Research Club and Founder and CEO of Eventality, about the transformative power of corporate events as essential tools for networking. Mackay shares her expertise in creating meaningful experiences that foster connections and drive business results. They discuss how face-to-face events have seen increasing demand post-COVID, with more organizations hosting their own gatherings to build relationships and accelerate sales pipelines. Mackay offers valuable networking tips, explaining that successful events begin with understanding a client's core objectives—whether sustainability, brand recognition, or specific business goals—before selecting venues and planning details that align with those priorities. "Face-to-face events are proven great opportunities to speed up your sales pipeline," Mackay explains. "People work with people they like, and it's been proven successful year after year." Mackay's approach focuses on freeing clients from logistical concerns so they can concentrate entirely on addressing networking questions and building relationships during events. From finding the perfect rooftop terrace to creating "blank canvas" venues where branding can take center stage, she emphasizes how attention to detail and elements of surprise create memorable experiences that deliver a return on investment. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    20 分
  • QRCA Day 3 Flyover

    QRCA Day 3 Flyover
    2025/03/14
    *This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Multilingual Connections, enabling you to connect with your audience in their language. And if you haven’t already, check out Part One and Part Two of the QRCA series!* On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney presents the final part of a three-part Conference Flyover from QRCA in Philadelphia. Joined by Multilingual Connections’ founder and CEO Jill Kushner Bishop, PhD, and Business Development Director Carlos Hevia, they discuss the power of conducting research in participants' native languages and how this unlocks storytelling that might otherwise remain hidden. From coordinating projects across 75+ languages to managing the complexities of cultural context, these conversations show why authentic communication matters in research. "Language doesn't just describe some preexisting reality out there in the world," Bishop explains. "We create that reality through language and we activate different areas of our identity through language. I loved in particular when we talked about being bicultural as a superpower [at the conference]." Their discussions highlight how qualitative researchers intuitively grasp language's role in revealing cultural truths. Carlos Hevia shares perspectives on what qualities seek when working internationally, while Jill Bishop details how Multilingual Connections has expanded from translation to bilingual moderation services, supporting researchers as they work in an increasingly diverse range of countries and markets.
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    23 分
  • QRCA Day 2 Flyover

    QRCA Day 2 Flyover
    2025/03/07
    *This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Multilingual Connections, enabling you to connect with your audience in their language. Click here to listen to Part One, and be on the lookout for Part Three of the QRCA series!* How do qualitative researchers adapt to rapid industry changes while maintaining personal connections? A look inside Day 2 of QRCA. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney, along with co-host and CRO, Stephanie Douglass, present Part Two of a three-part Conference Flyover from QRCA in Philadelphia, featuring conversations about business development strategies, AI integration, and the evolution of qualitative methodologies. They discuss how QRCA provides unique opportunities for both solopreneurs and corporate researchers to learn and grow through shared experiences. From innovative AI applications to the nuances between online and facility-based focus groups, these conversations reveal how industry professionals are embracing change while preserving essential human connections. "The truth of the matter is that this has become such a quickly evolving business that there are not only gaps that you may be aware of, but if you're smart, you understand there are gaps that you aren't aware of," Ken Burwitz of Mercury Analytics explains. "AI is obviously one of them. This is something that's changing weekly." The discussions highlight the dual nature of modern qualitative research. While Brittany Stalsberg emphasizes the value of business development insights for solopreneurs, Carrie Ann Olson-Landis explores AI's potential as a creative partner rather than just an assistant. Michelle LaMire adds perspective on the superiority of in-person networking over LinkedIn for building meaningful professional relationships. Along with the return of Multilingual Connections’ Carlos Hevia and Jill Kushner Bishop, PHD from Day 1, featured guests in this episode include: Brittany Stalsberg of ​​BLS Research & Consulting LLC Carrie Ann Olson-Landis of Nava Ken Berwitz, Executive at Mercury Analytics Frank Mellman of Insights in Marketing Michelle Lemire of Festive Road Zosia Czerska of Insight2Vision Pam Goldfarb Liss of LitBrains Lauren Bergner of Rakuten Insights Jiten Madia of flowres.io Meredith Morino of Human Sapiance Inc. David Kalisher of Jolly Road Productions Chiara Albanese of Motivo Insights If you're not already connected with them on LinkedIn, now's the perfect time to reach out and keep this conversation going!
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    23 分
  • QRCA Day 1 Flyover

    QRCA Day 1 Flyover
    2025/02/28
    *This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Multilingual Connections, enabling you to connect with your audience in their language. And be on the lookout for Parts Two and Three of the QRCA series!* How do thought leadership and networking tools shape modern qualitative research? A look inside QRCA. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney presents Part One of a three-part Conference Flyover from QRCA in Philadelphia, featuring conversations about thought leadership strategy, networking tips, and the future of AI in research. Multilingual Connections founder and CEO, Jill Kushner Bishop, PhD, joined Business Development director, Carlos Hevia, in Philly for this annual conference. With bilingual moderation, and many other translation, coding and transcription services useful to the market research industry, they enjoyed talking with colleagues and amplifying important voices at QRCA. Stephanie Douglass, CRO at Little Bird Marketing took to the conference, using the podcast interview as an exceptional networking tool to bring you this show with many voices! From first-time attendees to veteran researchers, these conversations reveal how industry leaders adapt to technological changes while maintaining valuable human connections. "This year is going to be a really exciting year for qualitative research because I think we have gotten over the initial AI hump," Kelli Hammock of L&E Research explains. "Things are getting really exciting in the industry, because people are using it in so many different ways." Their thought leadership strategies span multiple perspectives on research excellence. Cynthia Harris draws parallels between the mental preparation needed in qualitative research and other disciplines, while Norma Mendez and Lillian Martinez of Fieldwork share networking tips that make QRCA distinctive. Featured guests in this episode include Cynthia Harris, Principal Researcher at Harris Research; Nicole Potter, Research & Design Leader; Norma Reyes and Lillian Gonzalez of Fieldwork; Justin Bailey, CEO of Bailey Research; Susan Owens, Research Manager; Claire Kuhn, Senior Manager of Client Services; Kelli Hammock, VP of Research Solutions at L&E Research; and Jill Bishop, PhD and Carlos Hevia, CEO & Founder and Business Development director of Multilingual Connections respectively.
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    25 分
  • Data Privacy Best Practices for Market Research

    Data Privacy Best Practices for Market Research
    2025/02/21
    Market research must evolve beyond simple data collection to protect people's privacy. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest and Ipsos Senior Vice President Alina Serbanica about global data privacy in market research. They explore how privacy legislation varies across regions and the challenges of implementing consistent standards in multi-country research projects. In her role at Ipsos, Serbanica oversees privacy compliance across all operational areas, ensuring projects meet global, regional, and national law requirements. This is particularly crucial as policymakers implement new regulations around artificial intelligence technology and the protection of minors and vulnerable populations. They discuss how privacy principles remain consistent across both in-person and online research, though execution differs significantly based on methodology and technology used. "Many people think that privacy compliance regulations today are limited to GDPR, which is no longer the case," Serbanica explains. "Very few people know we have over 160 countries in the world with privacy regulations adopted." Serbanica also shares insights from her 35-year journey in market research, including her role on the ESOMAR Council and as a national representative for Romania. Her work with ESOMAR focuses on transforming the association to represent professionals and companies better worldwide while updating ISO market research standards to address new components like artificial intelligence technology. For emerging researchers, she emphasizes the importance of understanding research fundamentals before diving into specialized areas like data privacy. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    27 分
  • 10 Mental Models for Better Marketing Strategy - Part 2

    10 Mental Models for Better Marketing Strategy - Part 2
    2025/02/14
    Mental models can function as the hidden architecture of marketing strategy. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney presents the second installment of her exploration into mental models and the positive impact they can have on marketing strategy. As an established thought leadership strategist, she breaks down five powerful thinking frameworks and demonstrates how they can be used to help marketers understand complex patterns and make better decisions. Mental models covered in this episode include Bayesian updating, the Lindy effect, antifragile planning, systems thinking, and confirmation bias. Over the years, she has broken down different frameworks, marketing systems and networking tools to help people use their time more effeciently. McKinney demonstrates how these mental models can serve as essential thinking tools for improving campaign outcomes. She explains how each model provides unique insights for social selling and strategic planning, from using Bayesian updating for data-driven iterations to employing the Lindy effect for balancing proven tactics with emerging trends. "Mental models can be applied for better thinking and truly better marketing strategy," McKinney explains. "They help identify universal patterns and principles that govern complex thinking systems." McKinney also delves into antifragile planning, using the analogy of muscle growth through exercise to demonstrate how marketing strategies can become stronger through challenges. She emphasizes that successful marketing strategy requires not just surviving disruptions but building systems that actually improve from stress and change, challenging marketers to move beyond simple resilience to true adaptability and growth. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Ever feel like your marketing plan is just... meh? You've got all the pieces, but are they really working together? We often find that even when companies are doing the right things, they may not be doing them in the right order. The result is, well, no results. Want to effectively evaluate your marketing efforts and gain clarity on your next strategic move? Take our Marketing Assessment Quiz today and discover exactly where you stand – and where you could be going – in just minutes.
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    24 分