You're a marketing research consultant with a lot of experience. What are the skills you need to have?

1 Data literacy

Data literacy is the ability to read, understand, and communicate with data. It involves knowing how to collect, clean, process, and visualize data using various tools and techniques. It also means being able to interpret and critique data, identify patterns and trends, and draw meaningful conclusions. Data literacy is essential for marketing research consultants because they need to work with different types of data, such as quantitative, qualitative, behavioral, and attitudinal, and use them to answer relevant questions and solve problems.

2 Research design

Research design is the process of planning and executing a research project. It involves defining the research objectives, questions, and hypotheses, choosing the appropriate methods and techniques, selecting the sample and sampling method, determining the data collection and analysis procedures, and ensuring the validity and reliability of the results. Research design is crucial for marketing research consultants because they need to design research projects that are feasible, ethical, and aligned with the client's goals and needs.

3 Critical thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to think logically, analytically, and creatively. It involves applying reasoning, evidence, and judgment to evaluate arguments, claims, and assumptions. It also means being able to identify and avoid biases, fallacies, and errors, and generate alternative perspectives and solutions. Critical thinking is vital for marketing research consultants because they need to assess the quality and relevance of data, information, and sources, and make sound and objective decisions and recommendations.

4 Communication skills

Communication skills are the ability to express and exchange ideas, information, and emotions effectively and appropriately. They involve using verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication modes, such as speech, writing, presentation, graphics, and charts. They also require listening, understanding, and responding to the audience's needs, expectations, and feedback. Communication skills are indispensable for marketing research consultants because they need to communicate clearly and persuasively with clients, stakeholders, and team members, and present their findings and recommendations in a concise and compelling way.

5 Business acumen

Business acumen is the ability to understand and apply business concepts, principles, and practices. It involves knowing how businesses operate, function, and compete in different industries, markets, and environments. It also means being able to identify and evaluate business opportunities, challenges, and risks, and provide strategic and actionable advice. Business acumen is important for marketing research consultants because they need to understand the client's business context, goals, and challenges, and deliver research outcomes that are relevant, valuable, and impactful.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?