International Assignments “…Believe half of what you see, son, and none of what you hear…” – (N.Whitfield & B.Strong)

Never underestimate the differences in cultural idiosyncrasies and norms when you take up an international position and find yourself in a foreign country. That means never take anything you’re told at face value without seeing it with your own eyes. In today’s global market, it is de rigueur for someone with their sights on the C-Floor (or who just wants to be a more rounded individual) to seek out an overseas posting. And it’s not just about westerners having to become familiar with ‘exotic’ cultures. Proportionally more and more Asian and other new economy executives are becoming expats themselves and so will face the same personal challenges.

As Marvin Gaye once sang “Believe half of what you see, son, and none of what you hear…” in other words, get out there and wander around the office and the market place!

Who Will Own Market Research In 2020?

Go easy with rough stuff - you can never tell who'll be on top in 10 years!

A few years ago it seemed that the big advertising and media groups were on-track to dominate the Market Research industry – Aegis with Synovate, and WPP with, well, almost anything they could get their hands on.

Recently private equity has also developed a strong interest in information companies, currently with ORC and perhaps most notably with the buy-out of Nielsen.   We’ll surely see more from private equity investors in the next decade, but I’m guessing that we’ll see some other interesting trends in the control of marketing research.

One will probably involve the growth and expansion of Asian market research companies. But I’d like to address a more dramatic scenario:  the likelihood that those who currently serve and partner with research agencies may come to dominate, or even own them.