Click below to my article today in Research News September 09 which discusses our role in determining the reputation and image of market and social research in Australia.

We need to produce questions and topics that we would be prepared to answer ourselves! I hope you enjoy and please send me your thoughts

http://bit.ly/12jLw1

This time last week I was taking part in Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney 2009 with my team.

The challenge was to complete 100kms of rugged bush trail in less than 48 hours as a team of four. The event is a fundraising challenge. Our team committed to raising at least $5000 to help some of the world's poorest people. Colmar Brunton had 20 teams entering this year’s challenge.

My team included friends Tor, Lou and Adrian and we proudly completed the 100km's in just over 33 hours. It was slower than we planned and trained for however we toughed it out as a team and had a ball at the same time. It was the third time I had completed the walk and I am proud that I have finished 3 times each with my full team of 4.

This year, I learnt alot about teamwork, roles within a team, sticking together, helping each other and appreciating the amazing trail. Each team needs a leader, an organiser, a guide and a joker at times. Over 33 hours, roles within the team can change and each of us need to be flexible enough to switch roles when required. If you ever want to create a life long connection with another, walk 100km with them.

If you would like to find out more or sponsor my team please visit: http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/Sydney/team/130

Research News - August point of view: Lost in translation

Wikipedia informs me that the 2003 film Lost in Translation explores themes of loneliness, alienation, existential ennui and culture shock. I don't admit to being a fan of existential ennui (what is it?) however as we explore this month's Research News theme of PEST (political, economic and social trends), I see both risk and opportunity looming for our profession as we move through the current change cycle. The risk is that we remain somewhat lost in translation to public policy leaders and business leaders; the opportunity is for re-thinking, re-invention and renewal.

for more garble click on http://bit.ly/7KFZP

WOW What a Conference Agenda

Maintaining a learning culture and AMSRS Conference 2009

As we tough it out this year, it is reassuring to know that despite the tough economic climate, over one third of the AMSRS membership have already undertaken some form of training or personal development this year via our professional PDP programmes. This is not the case with other professional societies that I have come into contact with lately, so there is clearly a strong learning culture present that will ensure that we keep developing as a research profession in Australia.

If you have not already taken advantage of the early bird rate for Conference 2009 you should do yourself a favour and at least check it out today http://bit.ly/17lJeH.

The National Conference Committee have really thought this one through, with discounts available for QPMR’s, YRG and Operation specific session, a fantastic list of speakers and papers and incorporating for the first time the Asia Pacific Research Conference, which is a stream of winning papers and speakers from Japan, Korea, China and Australia. I am particularly looking forward to listening to Andy Dexter who will be leading the rallying call for seeing recession as a time of re-thinking, re-invention, and renewal. If you have seen a more exciting conference on paper send me the details!

The Australian profession being recognised on the world stage

I noticed in the July issue of Research News this article from John Marinopoulos, the aussie ESOMAR council member and managing director of Strategic Intelligence Group.

John represented Australia at last months World Industry Network (WIN) meeting of senior market researchers in Amsterdam. This was hosted by ESOMAR and included participants from over 20 countries.

http://bit.ly/VuP0U

It is great to see that the World is starting to appreciate the job that has been done in Australia in the areas of quality, being qualified and our professions' attempt to create more client conversations. We now need to ensure that our own members and clients in Australia clearly see the value of QPMR. Stay tuned as there is a plan in place!

Providing Meaning is What Matters

I am hoping that it is meaning that matters most in market and social research. Check out my article on this topic in the July's Research News. http://bit.ly/6RHi1

Encouraging young research champions of the future in Australia

Check out my latest Research News article for June 09 entitled "Giving young researcher's a voice and making them the heroes"

http://bit.ly/QyNWB

Nokia is back for me

Yesterday I picked up a new phone - a Nokia E71. It is fantastic and it has been 6-7years since I have had a Nokia. I have had the phone for 24 hours and have worked out 90% of what I need to know.

In the early days of mobile phones I was extremely brand loyal and loved Nokia phones. I would not consider anything else. Somehow i ended up trialing lots of different phones and PDA's, Samsung and HTC mainly, between 2000 to present. I think tried something different because everyone seemed to have a Nokia and it was nice to be a bit different. I was not however really happy with any of these phones.

How things have changed in 2009. When I needed a new phone, i was advised to get a new HTC, IPhone or Blackberry. Something about these phones didn;t feel right for me and I decided to go back to Nokia. Why? I think it is because this phone was not common and every person you see has a blackberry or new Iphone.

So back with Nokia, its a little different than the pack but its a great handset (so far)

Who is tinkering to get the engine right?

I recently read in the UK based RESEARCH magazine that WPP Boss Martin Sorrell, described his groups Insight capability as one of their "engines of growth". Good news for the research profession if he is right which I suspect he is. It will only work however researchers (both part of WPP and everyone else) are able to deliver the insight in an engaging format, suitable for business in 2009 and beyond.

In the same magazine, there was an article titled "Research Skills must evolve with consumers", from the Advertising Research Foundations, Chief Research Officer, Joel Rubinson. He challenged the research industry to learn and incorporate a new set of skills to gain insight from consumers online. Hearing the unexpected and paying attention to the new vocab were mentioned. His view said that insights gathered from Social Media sources need to be merged and integrated with insights gained from more traditional research data collection methods.

We have a big job to do to ensure we are being trained to do this to ensure the growth engine is well tuned. When I look at training being offered by most professional societies now, i see more of the same courses that have been present for 20 years. We need to invest now. Any thoughts on what we can do?

Precious Time

check out my May contribution to Research News entitled "Time is precious so stand up for it"

http://www.amsrs.com.au/index.cfm?a=detail&id=3206&eid=161

Lets not waste time, there is too much in the world to do, see and experience!