THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

The latest industry insights and trends.

Get a fresh perspective on your world as we continually experiment with new methods, innovate new tools and explore contemporary topics.

 

Decisions… Decisions… Decisions: Consumer Frustrations in Inflation Laden Grocery Aisles

Decisions… Decisions… Decisions: Consumer Frustrations in Inflation Laden Grocery Aisles

Mixed messages abound about the state of the economy but one thing is clear, “it’s a wild time” according to consumers. Learn how the Navigating to a New Normal participants and broader US adult population are coping with inflation in Winter 2023.

Read More
How Consumer Insourcing is Impacting You and Your Business (and 3 Steps to Deal with It)

How Consumer Insourcing is Impacting You and Your Business (and 3 Steps to Deal with It)

A funny thing happened as life started to open up in summer 2021. People weren’t finding the value and benefit they used to out of their away-from-home experiences. It was more satisfying and rewarding to “insource” and do it themselves. What’s behind this phenomenon and what can your business do about it? Navigating to a New Normal respondents share their experiences.

Read More
3 Easy Steps to Get People to Care about Environmental Efforts

3 Easy Steps to Get People to Care about Environmental Efforts

In the past year of pandemic-induced reflection, trips to outdoor spaces grew in popularity. With that outdoor time, we have been more exposed to the effects of pollution and climate change and the impact of our actions. As part of Ignite 360’s Navigating to a New Normal study (and in celebration of Earth Day) we asked our respondents about challenges facing the environment and if they feel their efforts are having any meaningful impact. CEO Rob Volpe shares the story and reveals 3 Steps companies can use to remove barriers and motivate consumer behavior towards positive change.

Read More
Getting Our Groove Back – How the 4Bs are Changing American Celebrations
Navigating to a New Normal, Empathy Training Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Empathy Training Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Getting Our Groove Back – How the 4Bs are Changing American Celebrations

President Biden’s declaration that Americans could enjoy small barbecues and celebrations on July 4th was met with a dissonant mix of disbelief and relief. As part of our Navigating to a New Normal study, we asked our survey respondents what they thought the holidays would be like. What will that feel like, let alone look like? Are we ready to hug our loved ones again?

Read More
Life in Stasis: Portraits from the Pandemic
Navigating to a New Normal, Empathy Training Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Empathy Training Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Life in Stasis: Portraits from the Pandemic

We asked our Navigating to a New Normal respondents to reflect back and collect photos that best represent the pandemic as well as their life during 2020. What emerged was a portrait of the early confusion, followed by adaptation and hope as they endured this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Read More
Chapter 9: Renewing Our Sense of Faith in Troubled Times
Navigating to a New Normal, Empathy Training Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Empathy Training Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Chapter 9: Renewing Our Sense of Faith in Troubled Times

Faith, no matter how you define it, has been challenged during this year of pandemic by the forces of nature, different points of view and outright acts of hatred. This disruption to ‘normal’ life has changed how Americans think about and connect with their faith in some surprising ways.

This chapter explores the ways Americans are reconnecting with their sense of faith and how it represents many of the changes approaching our society as we find our way to a new normal.

Read More
Chapter 8: The End is the Beginning – 3 Things You Can Do Now to Plan for the Future
Navigating to a New Normal Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Chapter 8: The End is the Beginning – 3 Things You Can Do Now to Plan for the Future

Forget about what’s happening right now or even tomorrow. The billion-dollar question that every business should be thinking about is, “What’s going to happen when we get the all-clear signal to return to ‘normal’ life, and what will normal life even look like?” Rob Volpe shares insights from his Quirk’s Virtual Event presentation, The End is the Beginning. Find out how and when things are really going to get interesting – so you can plan for that inevitability now!

Read More
When Your Ship Doesn’t Come In – 3 Considerations for Post-Pandemic Recovery
Navigating to a New Normal, Market Research, Consumer Insights Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Market Research, Consumer Insights Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

When Your Ship Doesn’t Come In – 3 Considerations for Post-Pandemic Recovery

Our upside-down pandemic existence has dramatically shifted consumer shopping habits and behaviors – causing shipping nightmares and eroding the health of our finely tuned supply chain forecasts. Whether or not your product is facing a price increase due to shipping or other COGs challenges, your consumer is going to be dealing with price increases on multiple fronts. Here are 3 things your business needs to consider when navigating these new waters.

Read More
When the Holidays Go Haywire
Navigating to a New Normal Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

When the Holidays Go Haywire

Our ongoing Navigating to a New Normal series takes a look at the immediate and lasting impact of the 2020 holiday season. In the immediate, the mood is best summed up by Francia from Minneapolis, “[I’ll] make the most of [the holidays], but it will be sad.” As you look toward Holiday 2021 for your business, we ask you to consider four important things.

Read More
Was 2020 All Bad?
Navigating to a New Normal Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Was 2020 All Bad?

Are there any silver linings to 2020? Absolutely. Respondents from our Navigating to a New Normal study were quick to see the good in a year that had a lot of bad. Some recognized the power of family and the ability to spend more time with their kids. Others recognized the way communities have come together to help each other. And still more how they are saving money.

Read More
Chapter 7: 72% of Adults Seek Change Post-pandemic, is Your Business Ready?
Navigating to a New Normal, Consumer Insights, Market Research Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Consumer Insights, Market Research Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Chapter 7: 72% of Adults Seek Change Post-pandemic, is Your Business Ready?

An overwhelming number, 72%, of Navigating to a New Normal respondents want some degree of change in their life when the events of 2020 come to a close. In case you missed out on our Chapter 7, 3-part story – here are ALL the insights behind what people value and want to achieve when given a choice – and how your company can prepare for this new future.

Read More
Where Do We Go From Here? Re-uniting as Americans</a>.
Navigating to a New Normal, Market Research, Consumer Insights Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Market Research, Consumer Insights Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Where Do We Go From Here? Re-uniting as Americans.

“What can you do after the election to bring unity and help make the other side successful?” The initial reactions of discomfort and uncertainty from the 16 Navigating to a New Normal participants betrayed a long-standing American Conundrum: we are more comfortable pointing out the problem than being part of the solution. Check out the 5 Key Actions that came out of a conversation around unity.

Read More
Gratitude: Changing the Future [part 3 of 3]
Navigating to a New Normal, Market Research, Consumer Insights Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Market Research, Consumer Insights Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Gratitude: Changing the Future [part 3 of 3]

An overwhelming number, 72%, of Navigating to a New Normal respondents want some degree of change in their life when the events of 2020 come to a close. People are more present in this moment of their lives than in the past. There is a thirst for long-term, sizable change both in society and the individual. In part 3 of our 3-part story, we share the insights behind what people value and want to achieve when given a choice – and how your company can prepare for this new future.

Read More
Gratitude: Changes in Action [part 2 of 3]
Navigating to a New Normal, Consumer Insights, Market Research Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Consumer Insights, Market Research Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Gratitude: Changes in Action [part 2 of 3]

Navigating to a New Normal, common themes have emerged that will redefine the frameworks that insights, marketing, and strategy professionals rely on. Needs, jobs to be done, decision journeys, opportunity maps and dig sites will all need to be re-evaluated based on the future state we are rapidly moving toward.

Read More
Gratitude: The Change People Really Want [part 1 of 3]
Navigating to a New Normal, Consumer Insights, Market Research Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder Navigating to a New Normal, Consumer Insights, Market Research Rob Volpe, CEO/Chairman/Founder

Gratitude: The Change People Really Want [part 1 of 3]

Americans are hungry for change. Not the kind of change promised by politicians - spiritual change. In Chapter 7 of our ongoing longitudinal study, Navigating to a New Normal, we identified the new macro trend that could shape our lives for a generation - Gratitude - and the far-reaching implications for your business.

Read More