Question 1

When is scenario planning critical to strategic decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Scenario planning becomes critical when a company faces high uncertainty about the future. If your strategic decisions involve long time horizons or volatile factors (like emerging technologies, regulatory changes, or geopolitical shifts), scenario planning is the tool that prepares you for multiple eventualities. Rather than betting on one forecast, teams develop a few plausible scenarios (best-case, worst-case, etc.) and strategize responses for each. This is especially important in situations like entering a new market or during global economic instability — essentially whenever the stakes are high and the path ahead isn't clear. By stress-testing decisions against different scenarios, leaders gain flexibility. In summary, when the environment is uncertain or rapidly changing, scenario planning is critical to ensure your strategic choices are robust under various future conditions.

Question 2

When should global trackers allow market-specific modules or timing?

Accepted Answer

Global tracking studies should allow market-specific modules or timing when a country's unique conditions or events warrant it, but without undermining the core questionnaire's consistency. For instance, if one market has a cultural event, regulatory change, or competitor dynamic not seen elsewhere, adding a local question module can capture that insight while the global metrics remain standard. Timing adjustments make sense when local seasonality or market cycles differ — say a major shopping festival shifts when you should field the tracker in that country. The key is to accommodate genuine local nuances (cultural, economic, competitive) in the tracker design while still maintaining a common set of metrics for cross-market comparison. In practice, a limited number of tailored questions or an off-cycle fielding is used only where the extra local insight outweighs the loss of direct comparability.

Question 3

How hard is it to recruit Gen Z for observational studies today?

Accepted Answer

Recruiting Gen Z for observational studies is challenging today, but achievable if you adapt to their communication style and values. This generation is often inundated with requests and protective of their time and privacy, so old recruitment methods (like long phone calls or generic email blasts) yield poor results. Instead, researchers see more success through social media outreach, short authentic messages, and emphasizing how the study aligns with something Gen Z cares about (such as social impact or personal growth). Offering flexible participation options also helps - many Gen Z respondents prefer remote observation via their smartphone or a brief video diary over a stranger shadowing them in person. With a meaningful incentive and a relatable approach, Gen Z can and does participate; the key is making the experience convenient and relevant from their point of view.

Question 4

When is it smarter to use case studies instead of surveys for niche B2B?

Accepted Answer

For very specialized B2B (business-to-business) audiences, it often makes more sense to conduct in-depth case studies instead of broad surveys, especially when potential respondents are few or hard to reach. In niche industries, a survey might yield too few responses for reliable statistics, but examining a handful of representative companies or scenarios in detail can uncover rich insights. Through case studies, researchers can explore the context behind decisions, challenges, and outcomes — learning not just what happened, but why — which a simple questionnaire can't fully capture with a tiny sample. For example, rather than surveying 20 niche tech firms with a generic form, it may be smarter to dive deep into 3 or 4 of them, mapping out their unique experiences. That qualitative depth yields practical learnings that help guide strategy in similar niche contexts, something a skimpy survey might not deliver.

Question 5

What permissions do I need to record in-home ethnography sessions?

Accepted Answer

Recording an in-home ethnography session requires explicit permission from those being observed. You need participants to give informed consent to the recording (audio or video), typically via a signed consent form that clearly states what's being recorded and how the footage will be used. It's important to also address anyone else who might be inadvertently captured — if family members (or especially children) will appear or be heard, you should obtain their consent or the legal guardian's consent for minors. Additionally, be mindful of local laws: some places have strict rules about recordings in private settings, so ensuring all parties are aware and agree is crucial_x000D_. In short, you must secure permission from participants (and household members as needed), maintain their privacy in how recordings are stored or shared, and follow any relevant two-party consent laws for recordings.

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