How to disrupt the 'insight feed' with strategic storytelling
The insight activation journey is brave and disruptive. And it needs to be. As consumers we’re overwhelmed with content, and as insight professionals we’re inundated with data. How can you filter out the noise to cherry pick consumer insights that will have an impact on your organisation? How can you ensure that the insights you uncover will also disrupt the feeds of your colleagues and your C-suite?

Whilst most agencies offer storytelling as a tool to help land key messages, we insist on strategic storytelling to cut through with commercial impact.
Storytelling in market research is not a new concept. The ability to turn numbers into a narrative, to pinpoint the arc in your analysis, is undoubtedly a skill. However, storytelling has become mainstream in a way that has diluted its power. Asking ‘so what?’ of your insight is commonly the end point of a project, delivered in a neatly packaged and well-presented debrief. A professional and polite way to say the end. Except that it isn’t the end. Not even close.
To reach the real ending, we must return to the beginning.
Let’s start-over.
When we think about storytelling, it’s important to think strategically. Strategic storytelling requires a considered, critical, and commercial approach from the outset and at each stage of the research project.

PLAN FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE
Strategic storytelling requires deep consultation between agency and client to understand the strategic goal of the project. Ask: what is the ultimate question that all other questions ladder up to? It is only when you can identify and isolate this goal, that your research methodology, questions and approach can be crafted strategically.
ANALYSE WITH EMPATHY
Take a step back to take in the bigger picture. Extend your ‘so what?’ to ‘so, what next?’ Have empathy with the findings but remain critical – if the insight doesn’t help to answer the strategic question, move it aside. Identify the key consumer insight(s) and craft with care: what is the habit/belief/attitude that is stopping the behaviour we want to unlock in pursuit of the strategic goal?
DELIVER LESS, NOT MORE
With the strategic goal front-and-centre, deliver recommendations that are packed with commerciality. Remember to disrupt the feed, don’t just add to it. Aim to say the right thing, not everything. Pair your strategic story with tailored insight activation for maximum impact.

The difference between storytelling and strategic storytelling is you, the client. Your commercial and contextual knowledge is the key to unlocking strategic thinking. So, next time you want to disrupt your own insight feed, or that of your stakeholders, step into the role of protagonist, not just narrator.
The end.
Or is it?
To hone your skills in strategic storytelling and learn to deliver impactful insight, get in touch with us today for bespoke training with our award-winning experts.
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