FlexMR is delighted to be hosting a PechaKucha-esque panel for a ‘Pitch Battle’ between panellists to explore which skills insight experts should cultivate to better fit the new state of the insights industry. Paul Hudson, FlexMR’s Chief Executive Officer, will be hosting the pitch battle with three industry leaders as contestants: Claire Rainey, Head of Insight at Virgin Media, Lucy Davidson, Founder & CEO of Keen As Mustard Marketing, and Hennieke Potman, Brand and Category Insight Manager at Flora Food Group. 

Market research as an industry has transformed into something almost unrecognisable when compared to its initial iteration over 50 years ago. Through technology and the incorporation of techniques and methodologies from other scientific disciplines, market research is now more than a simple survey and focus group industry; its abilities and capabilities have grown, and so too have the skills needed for researchers to prosper in this industry. Skill progression has not progressed as fast or evolved as fast as the industry’s technological state and methodological arsenal, and as such there is an opportunity for the learning of new skills that will allow insight experts to become more than simple researchers, they can become shepherds of insight and progenitors of Customer Salience within stakeholder businesses.

But this leads to one significant question for our pitch battle: which one skill do our panellists think is critical for researchers of the future?

In this pitch battle, our panellists will advocate for one skill they believe is vital to the success of insight experts across industries. In concise and well-rehearsed arguments, they will convey their reasoning for their skill to the panel audience, after which, the audience will vote for the skill they believe should be prioritised over the others. So join us to learn more about the skills insight experts should focus on developing and applying to the best of their ability, and to cast your vote on which skill you believe should be prioritised over the rest.

About ESOMAR Congress

Set in Prague, the Gothic jewel of Bohemia, from 28th September to 1st October you'll explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and unlock possibilities that will shape the insights industry. Together, let's break boundaries and redefine how we understand the world. Over four transformative days of learning, networking, and discovery, you'll gain the tools, ideas, and connections to reimagine your future and redefine the world of insights.