BANG & OLUFSON - Stefanie Zammit, Director, Analytics and Insight. Re-examining the role of analytics and insight; navigating Middle East market research; learnings from Marks & Spencer and Starbucks; key traits of successful agencies.

So delighted to have on Stefanie Zammit of Bang & Olufsen, formerly of  Marks and Spencer, and Starbucks. There’s so much fantastic perspective and insight from Stefanie in this episode….not least do’s and don’ts of work in the Middle East, learning how to socialize research at M&S, and researching at Starbucks during the pandemic. You’ll also learn about Stefanie’s unintended moment of stardom in Sri Lanka…

Some of the key areas in this episode:

• How client side is fundamentally different from agency: “the final report is only the beginning”.
• Research and analytics departments are flip sides of the same coin: distinctions are often artificial and not helpful.
• How insights infrastructure and sequential knowledge building enables you to optimize resources.
• Budget restrictions can sometimes be a benefit (really?...yes!).
• Lessons from mentors
• Hygiene factors and what really makes a good agency stand out
• Key considerations in structuring a research department

Listen in to find out more....

All episodes available at https://www.insightplatforms.com/podcasts/

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Chapters

• 0:20 Guest intro
• 2:52 Stephanie's lesser known US political connections.& stardom in Sri Lanka
• 5:01 Pathway into the insights sector
• 9:25 Do's and don'ts of research in the Middle East
• 15:02 Sticker shock moving client side
• 18:22 Learning how to socialize research at M&S
• 20:28 Starbucks and research during the pandemic
• 23:14 Stefanie's role at Bang & Olufsen
• 31:21 Thinking about the ideal insights department
• 37:44 What makes a good agency
• 43:09 Lessons from mentors