@thedifferenceengine.co
The difference between frustrating and valuable qualitative research lies in how it's approached, not whether it's done. The most powerful insights come from understanding how consumers perceive the core brand message. Learn more about qualitative creative development research here: buff.ly/uxv991L
Taking a strategic approach to Qualitative Creative Development Research — Greenbook
Poorly applied Qualitative Creative Development Research (CDR) can give it a bad name.
www.greenbook.org
May 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The difference between frustrating and valuable qualitative research lies in how it's approached, not whether it's done. The most powerful insights come from understanding how consumers perceive the core brand message. Learn more about qualitative creative development research here: buff.ly/uxv991L
Unpredictability is destroying business playbooks faster than any recession could. Unlike recessions with predictable consumer patterns, wildly shifting policy changes are paralyzing strategic planning.
Farrah's latest Substack post discusses why a recession would be better: buff.ly/7G3n1jR
Farrah's latest Substack post discusses why a recession would be better: buff.ly/7G3n1jR
April 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Unpredictability is destroying business playbooks faster than any recession could. Unlike recessions with predictable consumer patterns, wildly shifting policy changes are paralyzing strategic planning.
Farrah's latest Substack post discusses why a recession would be better: buff.ly/7G3n1jR
Farrah's latest Substack post discusses why a recession would be better: buff.ly/7G3n1jR
In times of uncertainty, the best growth strategies start with listening. Qualitative research reveals what your customers need, fear, and where they are ready to go next. We help teams unlock growth by getting closer to your customers and revealing what matters most—let's talk. ☀️ buff.ly/Dg3ehtt
April 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
In times of uncertainty, the best growth strategies start with listening. Qualitative research reveals what your customers need, fear, and where they are ready to go next. We help teams unlock growth by getting closer to your customers and revealing what matters most—let's talk. ☀️ buff.ly/Dg3ehtt
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." Metrics matter, but so does trust. If you only look at what you can count, you might miss what really drives success. The best decisions come from balancing data with real human insight.☀️ buff.ly/O5M82Mm
April 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." Metrics matter, but so does trust. If you only look at what you can count, you might miss what really drives success. The best decisions come from balancing data with real human insight.☀️ buff.ly/O5M82Mm
Educational background is now one of the strongest forces shaping American politics. In the latest Cross Tabs, Farrah talks with Patrick Ruffini about how working-class voters across all races are shifting toward populist candidates: buff.ly/ol81rWB
April 24, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Educational background is now one of the strongest forces shaping American politics. In the latest Cross Tabs, Farrah talks with Patrick Ruffini about how working-class voters across all races are shifting toward populist candidates: buff.ly/ol81rWB
SEO Week is almost here! Join our founder Farrah on Wednesday, April 30 at 9:45 AM for her talk: “All the Wrong Tech for All the Right Reasons.” It’s a deep dive into empathy, strategy, and what tech can’t do. Use code SPEAKER-SPECIAL for $100 off your ticket! seoweek.org
April 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
SEO Week is almost here! Join our founder Farrah on Wednesday, April 30 at 9:45 AM for her talk: “All the Wrong Tech for All the Right Reasons.” It’s a deep dive into empathy, strategy, and what tech can’t do. Use code SPEAKER-SPECIAL for $100 off your ticket! seoweek.org
What happens when tech execs try to “fix” government without understanding how it works? On the latest Cross Tabs, Farrah talks with civic tech expert Dan Hon about Elon Musk’s DOGE, Silicon Valley's flawed approach to public services, and why "efficiency" isn't always effective: buff.ly/zN90gZm
April 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
What happens when tech execs try to “fix” government without understanding how it works? On the latest Cross Tabs, Farrah talks with civic tech expert Dan Hon about Elon Musk’s DOGE, Silicon Valley's flawed approach to public services, and why "efficiency" isn't always effective: buff.ly/zN90gZm
Decision fatigue affects us all. Each choice, from what to wear to strategic business decisions, draws from the same mental reservoir. When that reservoir runs low, we take shortcuts, procrastinate, or make impulsive choices. Learn more about decision fatigue in this post:
Decision Fatigue - The Decision Lab
When we have to make decision after decison, our capacity to make optimal ones diminishes - this is called decision fatigue.
buff.ly
April 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Decision fatigue affects us all. Each choice, from what to wear to strategic business decisions, draws from the same mental reservoir. When that reservoir runs low, we take shortcuts, procrastinate, or make impulsive choices. Learn more about decision fatigue in this post:
When brands default to corporate-speak like "synergy" and "leverage our assets," they've put their thinking on autopilot. Farrah's latest Substack examines recent reports on communication strategy and how human-centered research creates more effective messaging than platitudes: buff.ly/oZ7aepR
Every victory means a change in the status quo
Re-reading Orwell, Shor, and the Third Way, and finding a way forward
www.crosstabspodcast.com
April 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
When brands default to corporate-speak like "synergy" and "leverage our assets," they've put their thinking on autopilot. Farrah's latest Substack examines recent reports on communication strategy and how human-centered research creates more effective messaging than platitudes: buff.ly/oZ7aepR
Change Research's lead pollster Lauren Goldstein is challenging research norms by focusing on the WHY behind opinions. Her approach incorporates open-ended questions that reveal motivations, interpretations, and personal stakes—making research not just accurate but actionable: buff.ly/BVNtPLE
April 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Change Research's lead pollster Lauren Goldstein is challenging research norms by focusing on the WHY behind opinions. Her approach incorporates open-ended questions that reveal motivations, interpretations, and personal stakes—making research not just accurate but actionable: buff.ly/BVNtPLE
The NFIB index dropped to 97.4 in March — its third monthly decline, and before Trump even announced the April 2 tariffs. A net 21% of owners expect worse conditions. If you’re seeing signs of hesitation, we'll help you ask the right questions to find out what’s really going on. ☀️
NEW NFIB SURVEY: Small Business Optimism Slips - NFIB
NFIB's Small Business Optimism Index fell by 3.3 points in March to 97.4, falling below the 51-year average of 98.
buff.ly
April 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The NFIB index dropped to 97.4 in March — its third monthly decline, and before Trump even announced the April 2 tariffs. A net 21% of owners expect worse conditions. If you’re seeing signs of hesitation, we'll help you ask the right questions to find out what’s really going on. ☀️
Most Americans support abortion access, even some who identify as "pro-life." Why don’t polls always show that? On our new episode of Cross Tabs, Change Research’s Lauren Goldstein, PhD breaks down how open-ended questions, fresh samples, and nonpartisan framing reveal deeper values: buff.ly/tbUd02Z
April 9, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Most Americans support abortion access, even some who identify as "pro-life." Why don’t polls always show that? On our new episode of Cross Tabs, Change Research’s Lauren Goldstein, PhD breaks down how open-ended questions, fresh samples, and nonpartisan framing reveal deeper values: buff.ly/tbUd02Z
If you're already a fan of Cross Tabs Podcast, you know the audio version is packed with smart conversations and sharp takes. But if you're only listening, you're missing part of the experience. Every episode is also on YouTube — same guests, same insights. Check out the archive: buff.ly/olHiKEp
April 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
If you're already a fan of Cross Tabs Podcast, you know the audio version is packed with smart conversations and sharp takes. But if you're only listening, you're missing part of the experience. Every episode is also on YouTube — same guests, same insights. Check out the archive: buff.ly/olHiKEp
Ever feel like politicians use polls as a smokescreen to dodge real action? Farrah's latest Cross Tabs post reveals how leaders cherry-pick data to fit their narratives, dismissing the public's true sentiments. She argues that this tactic erodes trust and stalls meaningful progress:
People don't know what they want...
Until you show it to them. So show it to them.
buff.ly
April 4, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Ever feel like politicians use polls as a smokescreen to dodge real action? Farrah's latest Cross Tabs post reveals how leaders cherry-pick data to fit their narratives, dismissing the public's true sentiments. She argues that this tactic erodes trust and stalls meaningful progress:
Consumer confidence just hit a 12-year low. It’s not just inflation, it’s distrust, disconnection, and political fallout. At The Difference Engine, we turn insight into strategy so orgs can respond with purpose, not panic. Get in touch with us to get the clarity you need. ☀️ buff.ly/la3qafG
April 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Consumer confidence just hit a 12-year low. It’s not just inflation, it’s distrust, disconnection, and political fallout. At The Difference Engine, we turn insight into strategy so orgs can respond with purpose, not panic. Get in touch with us to get the clarity you need. ☀️ buff.ly/la3qafG
Search is full of signals: clicks, rankings, bounce rates. But what about meaning? At SEO Week in NYC, our founder Farrah will show how fast, qualitative research helps you understand the humans behind the data and build smarter strategy. Get $100 off with code SPEAKER-SPECIAL ☀️ seoweek.org
April 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Search is full of signals: clicks, rankings, bounce rates. But what about meaning? At SEO Week in NYC, our founder Farrah will show how fast, qualitative research helps you understand the humans behind the data and build smarter strategy. Get $100 off with code SPEAKER-SPECIAL ☀️ seoweek.org
CDC data is disappearing. HIV, COVID, and LGBTQ health info altered or removed. When the numbers vanish, community insight becomes essential. If you rely on public data to make public health decisions, now’s the time to listen differently. We're ready to help shine the light.☀️ buff.ly/a3ntfpS
April 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
CDC data is disappearing. HIV, COVID, and LGBTQ health info altered or removed. When the numbers vanish, community insight becomes essential. If you rely on public data to make public health decisions, now’s the time to listen differently. We're ready to help shine the light.☀️ buff.ly/a3ntfpS
Listening isn’t a luxury. It’s how #NGO adapt when data disappears and funding dries up. The Difference Engine uses qualitative research and strategy planning to help community orgs stay grounded, focused, and responsive when it matters most. Reach out to get started! ☀️https://buff.ly/YSta1wK
March 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Listening isn’t a luxury. It’s how #NGO adapt when data disappears and funding dries up. The Difference Engine uses qualitative research and strategy planning to help community orgs stay grounded, focused, and responsive when it matters most. Reach out to get started! ☀️https://buff.ly/YSta1wK
Behind every viral trend is an invisible architecture of influence. Online misinormation expert Renee DiResta highlights how audiences often consume content without understanding the economic incentives driving influencers and algorithms in this clip from Cross Tabs Podcast: buff.ly/shc5CDL
March 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Behind every viral trend is an invisible architecture of influence. Online misinormation expert Renee DiResta highlights how audiences often consume content without understanding the economic incentives driving influencers and algorithms in this clip from Cross Tabs Podcast: buff.ly/shc5CDL
When public data disappears, so does the truth businesses rely on. You can’t serve communities or protect your brand if your decisions are based on missing or manipulated facts. The Difference Engine is ready to help you navigate these gaps with research rooted in integrity. ☀️ buff.ly/O4TO6AN
March 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
When public data disappears, so does the truth businesses rely on. You can’t serve communities or protect your brand if your decisions are based on missing or manipulated facts. The Difference Engine is ready to help you navigate these gaps with research rooted in integrity. ☀️ buff.ly/O4TO6AN
Democracy depends on trust, but lately, more Americans are quietly questioning whether their voices truly matter. Farrah’s newest Cross Tabs post thoughtfully examines why voters are losing confidence in our democratic system, and why we can't assume democracy will self-correct:
Between faith and disbelief
Some thoughts on making predictions when nobody believes in the future. Plus: links.
buff.ly
March 24, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Democracy depends on trust, but lately, more Americans are quietly questioning whether their voices truly matter. Farrah’s newest Cross Tabs post thoughtfully examines why voters are losing confidence in our democratic system, and why we can't assume democracy will self-correct:
Clicks measure reach, but qualitative research reveals emotional impact. Interviews and forums uncover audience perceptions, driving campaigns that resonate deeper and last longer. Ready to amplify your impact? Reach out to The Difference Engine to get those critical insights! ☀️ buff.ly/UawJqgg
March 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Clicks measure reach, but qualitative research reveals emotional impact. Interviews and forums uncover audience perceptions, driving campaigns that resonate deeper and last longer. Ready to amplify your impact? Reach out to The Difference Engine to get those critical insights! ☀️ buff.ly/UawJqgg
Great businesses don’t just track numbers. They ask *why* patterns emerge. Qualitative research uncovers the human insights behind data, leading to smarter decisions. Want to move beyond assumptions? Let’s talk. ☀️ buff.ly/7kiSMnH
March 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Great businesses don’t just track numbers. They ask *why* patterns emerge. Qualitative research uncovers the human insights behind data, leading to smarter decisions. Want to move beyond assumptions? Let’s talk. ☀️ buff.ly/7kiSMnH
When creative projects start with confusion, they end with frustration. Madison Square Garden Group’s marketing team needed a better way to brief creative work, so we built a system that streamlined requests, cut down revisions, and improved results. We can help your team too! ☀️ buff.ly/1iY7S3z
March 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
When creative projects start with confusion, they end with frustration. Madison Square Garden Group’s marketing team needed a better way to brief creative work, so we built a system that streamlined requests, cut down revisions, and improved results. We can help your team too! ☀️ buff.ly/1iY7S3z