This is one ambassador’s reception where a handful of Ferrero Rocher is about the best the guests can hope for. I have agreed to become an “AQR Ambassador” – hoping it will be more like “Ambassador to the United Nations” than “Austin Ambassador”. Thanks Rose Molloy and Andrea Higgins for suggesting this, though Andrea explainedContinue reading “The life of a diplomat awaits”
Category Archives: Qual Research
Stampede of the Social Animals – more BE
David Brooks is the latest author to bring the reality of what goes on in the human mind into the public realm and the popular consciousness, with The Social Animal. Here he is talking about it (thanks RSA!) David Brooks video. Good timing as I’m reading Richard Layard‘s Happiness at the moment (in short, hisContinue reading “Stampede of the Social Animals – more BE”
What’s It All For? More Happiness …
Steve Richards: \”Will Cameron\’s Idea of Happiness Last?\” It seems David Cameron was serious about bringing well-being into the heart of government decision-making – he’s still speechifying like a man possessed on the topic. Some interesting musings as ever by Steve Richards of The Independent on the politics of this. Whatever my thoughts about Cameron,Continue reading “What’s It All For? More Happiness …”
Qualitative research and behavioural economics
Looking up at the bookshelf, there is Charles Leadbeater‘s We-Think, Dan Ariely‘s Predictably Irrational and kicking around the house somewhere is Thaler and Sunstein’s Nudge; not forgetting Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Having been interested in these accessible paperbacks on “behavioural economics” (or, if you prefer, explanations of human behaviour and decision-making) for a while, itContinue reading “Qualitative research and behavioural economics”
Edgelands, wastelands and The Fall
Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts‘ book Edgelands – about the aesthetics and psycho-geography of forgotten interzones of “waste” land on the edges of our towns and cities – has been an inspiring and thought-provoking book of the week on Radio 4: Edgelands – R4 Book of the Week Anyone who watched Coast a coupleContinue reading “Edgelands, wastelands and The Fall”
Qual’s harder than it looks … no kidding, girlfriend
Interesting discussion on Today this morning about the “alternative census” done by the champion of numerical literacy the More Or Less programme, among their listeners. More or Less on Radio 4 – alternative census. Unusual to hear the nature of qualitative data discussed half-decently in the media, albeit for 30 seconds. As a qual practitionerContinue reading “Qual’s harder than it looks … no kidding, girlfriend”
“Fairness is about how happiness is distributed”
This discussion at the RSA is well worth a listen, for anyone interested in, well, having a good life – but more specifically, it’s about the idea David Cameron seems to have embraced, that government should be focussed on the well-being and “happiness” of its citizens, not just in growing GDP: Richard Layard with AndrewContinue reading ““Fairness is about how happiness is distributed””
Marketing budget optimists
Is there something irrepressibly optimistic about marketers? Careful with the slightly misleading headline in Marketing Week about low confidence ( Marketing Week on Bellweather Report – Confidence.), because the budgets that have been set are more bullish than ursine. The article goes on to say that, yes, they are spending less – again – but:Continue reading “Marketing budget optimists”
The return of Fabio
Hugely amused, watching some US female discussion groups on a video link, to hear ludicrous 90s “heartthrob” Fabio name-checked repeatedly. Fame is fleeting, but infamy less so.
Lovely alternative to PowerPoint
Just find a good cartoonist and a steady cameraperson … could be nice to do for a creds presentation, for example, rather than showing some stock slides. RSA animate presentation Idea from the RSA. So much good stuff on their website, check it out!
Strangers on the Shore 