Advice for Establishing Research

Key Insights

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  Establishing research requires diagnosing both explicit and latent demand and the organization's action potential to leverage findings effectively.

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  Visual modeling tools like personas, service blueprints, and Wardley maps help build shared understanding and credibility even before conducting detailed studies.

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  Building research influence is a gradual, strategic process that depends heavily on developing strong stakeholder relationships and ongoing broadcasting of research impact.

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  Inertia and hidden blockers often come from existing power structures and operational roadmaps that resist change even when research reveals clear opportunities.

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  Shared understanding across teams is a critical first step and often more valuable at early stages than completed research deliverables.

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  Leveraging front-line teams such as sales and customer support provides crucial access to customer insights and can facilitate participant recruitment and organizational buy-in.

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  The research skills framework helps identify necessary capabilities and progression for scaling a research practice within an organization.

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  Strategy in research involves three core questions: What’s going on? What should we do about it? How do we proceed coherently?

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  There is no shortcut to building research influence; most effective approaches find a partner team, deliver value, and then expand influence step-by-step.

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  The ability to step back, be self-aware, and honestly assess the organization’s needs and dynamics is essential to shaping effective research strategies.

Notable Quotes