Category Archives: Technology

Deceptive patterns: exposing the tricks tech companies use to control you

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Simon Shaw

The Venus Flytrap is nature’s cunning strategist. This unique plant, with its jaw-like leaves and sensitive trigger hairs, is an epitome of evolutionary ingenuity. It lures, captures, and digests unsuspecting insects employing a remarkable blend of allure and deception. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioral Science, Behavioural Science, Books, Consumer Psychology, Market Research, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Digital Darwinism by Tom Goodwin: book review

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Simon Shaw

Digital Darwinism was published in April to some acclaim. Goodwin is a master of the pithy aphorism. My question was whether there would be depth behind the soundbites. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Marketing Research, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Market research and technology: the future

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Simon Shaw

Insight is a deeply human act. Or to put it another way, a hard AI problem. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Research, Marketing Research, Technology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Market research and technology: past & present

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Simon Shaw

In my 17 years in the industry I’ve seen online data collection go from something clients viewed with suspicion to our primary means of quantification. The proliferation of MR platforms and tools presents researchers with a new challenge: keeping pace with tech. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Research, Marketing Research, Technology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

WARC Brainy Bar 3

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Simon Shaw

The Brainy Bar – run by Walnut in conjunction with WARC – brings clients, vendors and agencies involved neuroscience (the “brainy” part) to get together in Creston’s bar (the “bar” part) to share case studies and best practice.

It’s an admirable shared vision of people from different fields working together to create more effective communications. Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing Research, Methods, Neuroscience, Technology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A lament for the Millennials

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Simon Shaw

Economic, political, social and psychological factors are combing to create a historically unique time to become an adult. It isn’t all bad. It is just different. Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer Psychology, Demographic change, Social Media, Technology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Nothing ever becomes real ’til it is experienced

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Simon Shaw

There’s never been so many ways for brands to get closer to their customers. Whether passive (e.g. viewing groups), active (e.g. accompanied interviewing), participative (e.g. co-creation) the outcome is similar: bringing the experience of others to the fore to inspire … Continue reading →

Posted in Methods, Technology, UX | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Eyetracking, GSR and EEG: which new research methods get you closer? PART 2: EEG & GSR

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Simon Shaw

Here’s a quick bluffers guide to three methods you may not have used before – what they are, how they can be used and where we think they add value.
Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer Psychology, Methods, Qualitative research, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Eyetracking, GSR and EEG: which new research methods get you closer? PART 1: Eyetracking

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Simon Shaw

Clients often ask us how technology can help them, so here’s a quick bluffer’s guide for three methods you may not have used before – what they are, how they can be used and where we think they add value.
Continue reading →

Posted in Methods, Qualitative research, Technology | Tagged | 1 Comment

The end of the recruiter?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Simon Shaw

Whilst TaskRabbit isn’t going to replace your recruiter tomorrow, it’s worth considering the implications. The internet has disintermediated many professions – why should recruitment be any different? Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Experience, Marketing Research, Qualitative research, Social Media, Technology, UX | Tagged , , | 2 Comments