This week on Insightful Inspiration, host Isabelle Landreville sits down with Victoria Dias, Strategic Insights Lead at Google and a rising voice in the insights industry. With a decade of experience across powerhouse brands like Unilever, Nestlé, Mondelez, and now Google, Victoria has a unique perspective on what it takes to turn data into influence... fast. In this episode, we unpack what it means to build your personal brand before 30, how to find your voice in the research world, and the skills that helped Victoria accelerate her career. Whether you’re an emerging insights pro or mentoring one, this episode is full of inspiration for owning your impact, no matter your title!
This week, host Isabelle Landreville sits down with Leena Doshi, Senior Manager of Research at Electronic Arts and creator of the YouTube series Data Puzzles & Mysteries. After Leena’s compelling talk at IIeX, the industry was captivated by her fresh perspective: What if researchers approached their work less like solving a problem and more like unraveling a mystery? In this episode, Leena shares how her work encourages teams to connect the dots creatively, embrace ambiguity, and reimagine the role of data in shaping strategic questions. If you’re looking for a new lens on insights, one that’s part detective story, part data science, this episode is for you.
Join host Isabelle Landreville for a captivating conversation with Anthony "Tas" Tasgal, author of six books, including "The Storytelling Book" and "The Insight Book." In this episode of Insightful Inspiration, Tas reveals how storytelling and behavioral economics can transform raw information into powerful insights that drive action. Discover practical techniques to cut through and uncover what truly matters. Whether you're in research, marketing, or leadership, this conversation will forever change how you gather, interpret, and communicate insights. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most engaging and multifaceted minds.
In episode 24 of the Insightful Inspiration podcast, host Isabelle Landreville welcomes Karen Lynch, Head of Content at Greenbook, to explore the evolving role of insights professionals. Now that insights leaders have earned their "seat at the table," how can they maximize their influence while facing increased pressure, limited resources, and demands for innovation? Drawing from the latest GRIT Report findings, this episode offers practical strategies for insights professionals looking to elevate their impact in today's challenging business environment.
In Episode 23 of Insightful Inspiration, we look at what makes the important relationship between brands and researchers truly effective. When does research transform from a deliverable into a catalyst for meaningful business action? When can it help your career? Our guest brings a wealth of experience in brand positioning and consumer insights. Host and our proud owner of 10 years, Isabelle Landreville, is thrilled to welcome Kathy Galloway, known as "The Clarity Wizard," who helps CPG brand owners maximize revenue and minimize risk by optimizing brand positioning. With over 20 years of experience across more than 30 product categories, Kathy brings a unique perspective on this important topic. Kathy has developed practical approaches to help brands ask better questions and transform insights into action. Join us.Visit Kathy's website to connect with her: https://www.theclaritywizard.comInsightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
The workplace has transformed dramatically. Leaders are trying to balance empathy with performance, compassion with results. But where's the line? When does empathy help, and when might it actually hurt? Our guest on this episode of "Insightful Inspiration" brings fresh insights to this challenge. Host and our proud owner of 10 years Isabelle Landreville is excited to talk with Maria Ross, author of "The Empathy Dilemma" and a TEDx speaker who's helped leaders at organizations worldwide navigate this balance. As an empathy advocate, Maria shows how cash flow, creativity, and compassion aren't mutually exclusive. Through her work with forward-thinking companies, speaking engagements, and her podcast "The Empathy Edge," Maria has uncovered practical ways leaders can achieve radical success through genuine empathy – while maintaining healthy boundaries. Grab a copy of Maria's book: https://www.amazon.com/Empathy-Dilemma-Successful-Performance-Boundaries/dp/1774584743 Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Episode 21 of "Insightful Inspiration" is particularly timely as we dive into a pressing question: how do we balance artificial intelligence with human expertise? While AI transforms market research, the human element remains crucial. Joining Isabelle Landreville - the proud owner of Sylvestre & Co. and host of your go-to-market research podcast - is Monika Rogers, a strategic growth leader who is an integral part of CMB’s AI+HI™ initiative, which combines artificial and human intelligence. Before joining CMB, Monika was VP and Head of Client Services at Illuminas. She also launched and grew the research tech platform Digsite, which was sold to QuestionPro in 2022. Monika started her career in Consumer Insights at General Mills and later held innovation and brand strategy positions within Advertising and Brand Consulting agencies.Let's explore why the human touch remains essential for discovering meaningful insights. Learn more about the AI+HI™ initiative: https://forms.cmbinfo.com/ai-hi?hsCtaAttrib=182679080367 Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Making research matter is about creating a culture where customer understanding drives every decision. But how do we make insights stick and transform organizations from the inside out? On Episode 20 of "Insightful Inspiration," Isabelle Landreville welcomes Gail Banack, a transformational leader who knows exactly what it takes to build customer obsession into company’s DNA. As a seasoned executive, she’s worked in insights, marketing and merchandising. Now, as co-host of The She Means Business Podcast, she continues to share insights that drive business transformation. Throughout her career, Gail has been a passionate advocate for putting customer understanding at the heart of business decisions – not just in the insights department, but across entire organizations. Join us for this conversation. Connect with Gail: www.linkedin.com/in/gailbanack/ Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Sometimes stakeholders just aren’t hearing what’s being said. You know those moments when you've uncovered amazing insights, but somehow they're not landing with decision-makers? Our guest for Episode 19 of "Insightful Inspiration" has some fascinating perspectives on overcoming this challenge. Isabelle Landreville converses with Nikkia Reveillac, a trailblazing insights and innovation leader who brings a truly unique lens to our field. Nikkia's journey is fascinating - she's a former professional dancer turned strategic insights expert who has influenced decision-making at some of the world's most innovative companies. Connect with Nikkia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkiareveillac Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Industry veterans Isabelle Landreville and Rob Volpe share how, after all these years, their hearts continue to pound for building empathy. Join them for this episode of “Insightful Inspiration.” Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Welcome to Episode 17 of Insightful Inspiration, your go-to podcast for uncovering the secrets behind consumer behavior and effective marketing strategies. Understanding how consumers make default decisions is crucial for brands looking to connect authentically and drive results. But what really influences these choices, and how can marketers leverage this knowledge to improve campaign effectiveness? We are thrilled to welcome Nancy Harhut, an award-winning author, international keynote speaker, and Chief Creative Officer at HBT Marketing. Nancy is renowned for combining marketing best practices with insights from social scientists and behavioral economists to boost engagement and response rates. Her unique approach has made hera sought-after expert in the field of behavioral science-driven marketing.Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will transform how you think about consumer decision-making. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
If you aren’t invited to the table, you might be on the menu, as insights rainmaker Jorge Calvachi has said. And that’s not going to leave a good taste in your mouth for sure. So how can insights leaders get a seat at the table to help shape what the company serves in the future? Welcome back to Episode 16 of Insightful Inspiration, your go-to podcast for discovering the secrets to understanding and connecting with diverse audiences. On Episode 16, Isabelle Landreville chats with Jorge Calvachi, Director of Insights at La-Z-Boy Incorporated. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Jorge has a proven track record in visionary leadership, stakeholder engagement, global expansion, and consumer innovation. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Welcome back to Episode 15 of Insightful Inspiration. Brands can't sit on the sidelines anymore – consumers expect them to jump into the conversations shaping our world. We're digging into how marketers can ditch the old playbook and really connect with people. Sure, selling matters, but so does having a voice in society and making a difference. But how do brands participate correctly and authentically? Isabelle Landreville chats with Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, author of "Cultural Intelligence for Marketers." She's a cultural theorist, writer, researcher, and strategist who decodes culture. With a PhD in cultural studies from Duke University, Dr. Gabriel has consulted for world-renowned brands and her unique blend of academic background and practical marketing experience brings valuable insights to the field of cultural intelligence in marketing. Grab your copy of her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Intelligence-Marketers-Inclusive-Marketing/dp/1398614033 Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
As many are gearing up for strategic planning, what better time to think about how those strategic plans can be developed – dare I say – more strategically by using insights wisely. We discuss the topic on Episode 14 of "Insightful Inspiration." Isabelle Landreville chats with Kerry-Ellen Schwartz, director of consumer insights – predictive intelligence and platform innovation – at PepsiCo. She’s a results-oriented, proactive professional who helps PepsiCo make decisions based on actionable insights. Join us. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
This is a replay of Isabelle Landreville's presentation at IIEX North America. Join us for an illuminating session exploring how technology shapes genuine connections, emphasizing the importance of human-centric research methodology innovation. Key Takeaways: 1. Prioritize human needs in innovation, ensuring solutions resonate with real-world challenges.2. Maintain agility and cultural sensitivity for innovative solutions.3. Prioritize human insights, foster community collaboration for empathy-driven innovation. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Welcome back to Episode 13, Year 2 of Insightful Inspiration, your go-to podcast for discovering the secrets to understanding and connecting with diverse audiences. Let’s focus on leadership. Afterall, somebody has to lead those awesome insights and market research teams around, but what does it take to move into insights leadership and then stay there to help teams succeed? To discuss the topic, Isabelle Landreville chats with Jillian Tirath, an Insights and Analytics executive who previously led strategy insights and analytics teams at Jordan Brand - Nike, and Coca-Cola. Jillian is a values-based leader who builds high-performing teams by creating an environment where we can achieve more than we thought possible. Get ready for an insightful and inspiring conversation. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Advertising is all around us – nonstop, everywhere. So, how can brands stand out? By understanding the market better, knowing what has a better chance to perform, and using insights to create more impactful ad campaigns. On Episode 12 of Insightful Inspiration, Isabelle Landreville chats about that topic with Crystal Sales, a seasoned strategic planner and Group Strategy Director at Rethink in Toronto. Crystal embodies the principle of driving results with consumer understanding. With over a decade of experience at renowned agencies such as SID LEE, Ogilvy, and OneMethod, Crystal has honed her skills in transforming data-driven insights into powerful brand experiences. Join us. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.com
Consumer trends change and sometimes quickly. So how can companies keep up while also diving deep into actually understanding the human behind their customers? Let’s find out on Episode 11 of "Insightful Inspiration." Isabelle Landreville is joined by Mimi Sherlock, VP of Global Consumer Intelligence, Nourish, at International Flavors and Fragrances, to discuss the roles of trend intelligence and human connection. With over two decades of experience, Mimi brings actionable insights to life, facilitating front-end innovation, and guiding teams with an insight-led approach. As an invited speaker and leader at the Creative Problem Solving Institute, she has explored the intersection of creative thinking and brain physiology. Mimi is also the founder of Sherlock Creative Thinking and co-author of "Once Upon an Innovation." Join us. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.co
The industry certainly has seen changes in recent years. Some good. Some not so good and some somewhere in the middle. But the basic need for companies – small and large - to understand their customers remains. On Episode 10 of "Insightful Inspiration," Isabelle Landreville chats with Nick Graham, global head of insights and analytics at Mondelez International, about the role of insights in large organizations. Insightful Inspiration is brought to you by Sylvestre & Co.: https://www.sylvestreco.co
Welcome back to Episode 9 of Insightful Inspiration, your go-to podcast for discovering the secrets to understanding and connecting with diverse audiences. We're diving into the fascinating world of Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012. As a business owner or marketer, you know that understanding this unique generation is crucial for success, but where do you start? What do you need to know, and what are the most effective strategies to reach them? To discuss the topic, Isabelle Landreville is joined by Gary Rudman, the Gen Z whisperer. Gary is the president of GTR Consulting and a seasoned qualitative researcher with a wealth of knowledge and experience in understanding and connecting with Generation Z. Join us.