---
title: Blog | FlexMR | Russell Elliot
description: Russell brings 8+ years of customer service experience to the FlexMR Help Desk, and delivers quality on-demand support to our clients.
---

close

## Ready to level up your insights?

Get ready to streamline, scale and supercharge your research. Fill out this form to request a demo of the InsightHub platform and discover the difference insights empowerment can make. A member of our team will reach out within two working days.

close

## Cost effective insights that scale

Quality insight doesn't need to cost the earth. Our flexible approach helps you make the most of research budgets and build an agile solution that works for you. Fill out this form to request a call back from our team to explore our pricing options.

[![FlexMR logo](https://www.flexmr.net/skin/images/images-custom/2b221b67-b091-4584-9017-872ee2ddf960-logo.svg)](https://www.flexmr.net/)

Book a Demo Request Pricing [Contact Us](https://www.flexmr.net/contact/)

Menu

- [Home](https://www.flexmr.net/)
- [InsightHub](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) 
    - [What is InsightHub?](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/)
    - [Data Collection](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-collection/)
    - [Data Analysis](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-analysis/)
    - [Data Activation](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-activation/)
    - [Research Templates](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/survey-templates/)
    - [Information Security](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/information-security/)
- [Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/) 
    - [Our Expert Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/)
    - [Support & Education](https://www.flexmr.net/services/support-and-education/)
    - [Consultative Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/consultative-services/)
    - [Insight Delivery](https://www.flexmr.net/services/insight-delivery-services/)
    - [Research Methods](https://www.flexmr.net/methods/)
    - [Sectors We Work With](https://www.flexmr.net/sectors/)
- [About](https://www.flexmr.net/about/) 
    - [About Us](https://www.flexmr.net/about/)
    - [Leadership](https://www.flexmr.net/about/leadership/)
    - [Meet the team](https://www.flexmr.net/about/meet-the-team/)
    - [Advisory Board](https://www.flexmr.net/about/advisory-board/)
    - [Press & Media](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/press)
    - [Accolades](https://www.flexmr.net/about/accolades/)
    - [Careers](https://www.flexmr.net/about/careers/)
- [Blog](https://blog.flexmr.net/)
- [Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net)
- [Contact](https://www.flexmr.net/contact/)
- [Book a Demo](https://blog.flexmr.net/)
- [Request Pricing](https://blog.flexmr.net/)

- [Home](https://www.flexmr.net/)
- [InsightHub](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) 
    - - [What is InsightHub?](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/)
          - [Data Collection](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-collection/)
          - [Data Analysis](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-analysis/)
          - [Data Activation](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-activation/)
          - [Research Templates](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/survey-templates/)
          - [Information Security](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/information-security/)
    - ![Camp InsightHub](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/camp_insighthub_nav.png)
      
      Embark on a new adventure. Join Camp InsightHub, our free demo platform, to discover the future of research.
      
      
      
      [Sign Up Today](https://insighthub.flexmr.net/users/new)
    - ![FlexMR InsightHub](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/insighthub_screenshot.png)
      
      Read a brief overview of the agile research platform enabling brands to inform decisions at speed in this PDF.
      
      
      
      [Download Brochure](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/InsightHub_Brochure.pdf)
    - ### InsightHub on the Blog
      
      
      
          - [Surveys, Video and the Changing Face of Agile Research](https://blog.flexmr.net/surveys-video-changing-agile-research)
          - [Building a Research Technology Stack for Better Insights](https://blog.flexmr.net/research-technology-stack)
          - [The Importance of Delegation in Managing Insight Activities](https://blog.flexmr.net/delegation-importance-insight-activities)
          - [Common Insight Platform Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)](https://blog.flexmr.net/platform-pitfalls-how-to-avoid-them)
- [Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/) 
    - - [Our Expert Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/)
          - [Support and Education](https://www.flexmr.net/services/support-and-education/)
          - [Consultative Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/consultative-services/)
          - [Insight Delivery Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/insight-delivery-services/)
          - [Research Methods](https://www.flexmr.net/methods/)
          - [Sectors We Work With](https://www.flexmr.net/sectors/)
    - ![FlexMR Services Team](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/services.jpg)
      
      Our services drive operational and strategic success in challenging environments. Find out how.
      
      
      
      [Download Brochure](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Brochures/FlexMR_Services_Brochure.pdf)
    - ![Video Close Connection Programme](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/video_services.jpg)
      
      Close Connections bring stakeholders and customers together for candid, human conversations.
      
      
      
      [Read Press Release](https://resources.flexmr.net/close-connections-launch)
    - ### Explore our Practices
      
      
      
          - [Communities Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/)
          - [Closeness Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/practices/customer-closeness/)
          - [CX Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/practices/customer-experience/)
          - [Insight Communications Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/practices/insight-communications/)
- [About](https://www.flexmr.net/about/) 
    - - [About Us](https://www.flexmr.net/about/)
          - [Leadership](https://www.flexmr.net/about/leadership/)
          - [Meet the Team](https://www.flexmr.net/about/meet-the-team/)
          - [Advisory Board](https://www.flexmr.net/about/advisory-board/)
          - [Press & Media](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/press)
          - [Accolades](https://www.flexmr.net/about/accolades/)
          - [Careers](https://www.flexmr.net/about/careers/)
    - ![FlexMR Credentials Deck](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/flexmr_credentials.png)
      
      The FlexMR credentials deck provides a brief introduction to the team, our approach to research and previous work.
      
      
      
      [Download Credentials](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Brochures/FlexMR_Credentials.pdf)
    - ![FlexMR Insights Empowerment](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/insights_empowerment.png)
      
      We are the insights empowerment company. Our framework addresses the major pressures insight teams face.
      
      
      
      [Download Brochure](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Brochures/Insights_Empowerment_Brochure.pdf)
    - ### Latest News
      
      
      
          - [Insight as Art Shortlisted for AURA Innovation Award](https://resources.flexmr.net/aura-innovation-award-2021)
          - [FlexMR Launch Video Close Connection Programme](https://resources.flexmr.net/close-connections-launch)
          - [VideoMR Analysis Tool Added to InsightHub](https://resources.flexmr.net/videomr-launch)
          - [FlexMR Makes Shortlist for Quirks Research Supplier Award](https://resources.flexmr.net/quirksmr-mr-supplier-award-2020)
- [Blog](https://blog.flexmr.net) 
    - - [Latest Posts](https://blog.flexmr.net)
          - [Strategic Thinking](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/strategic-thinking)
          - [Technology & Trends](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/tech-trends)
          - [Research Methods](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/research-methods)
          - [Practical Application](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/practical-application)
          - [Insights Empowerment](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/insights-empowerment)
          - [View Full Blog Archives](https://blog.flexmr.net/all)
    - ![FlexMR Close Connection Programme](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/close_connection.png)
      
      Discover how to build close customer connections to better support real-time decision making.
      
      
      
      [Build Connections](https://blog.flexmr.net/practical-support-real-time-decisions)
    - ![Market Research Playbook](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/market_research_playbook.png)
      
      What is a market research and insights playbook, plus discover why should your team consider building one.
      
      
      
      [Discover Playbooks](https://blog.flexmr.net/market-research-playbook)
    - ### Featured Posts
      
      
      
          - [Five Strategies for Turning Insight into Action](https://blog.flexmr.net/5-strategies-turn-insights-into-action)
          - [How to Design Surveys that Ask the Right Questions](https://blog.flexmr.net/effective-survey-design-guide)
          - [Scaling Creative Qual for Rich Customer Insight](https://blog.flexmr.net/scale-creative-qual-rich-understanding)
          - [How to Measure Brand Awareness: The Complete Guide](https://blog.flexmr.net/measure-brand-awareness)
- [Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net) 
    - - [All Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net)
          - [Client Stories](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/case-studies)
          - [Whitepapers](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/whitepapers)
          - [Events & Webinars](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/events)
          - [The Open Ideas Panel](https://ideas.flexmr.net/auth/sign_in)
          - [InsightHub Help Centre](https://help.flexmr.net/en)
          - [FlexMR Client Network](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9165407/)
    - ![Insights Empowerment Readiness Calculator](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/insights_calculator.png)
      
      The insights empowerment readiness calculator measures your progress in building an insight-led culture.
      
      
      
      [Get Your Score](https://resources.flexmr.net/insights-empowerment-calculator)
    - ![MRX Lab Podcast](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/flexmr_podcast.png)
      
      The MRX Lab podcast explores new and novel ideas from the insights industry in 10 minutes or less.
      
      
      
      [Listen Now](https://resources.flexmr.net/mrx-lab-podcast)
    - ### Featured Stories
      
      
      
          - [Specsavers Informs Key Marketing Decisions with InsightHub](https://resources.flexmr.net/specsavers)
          - [The Coventry Panel Helps Maintain Award Winning CX](https://resources.flexmr.net/coventry-building-society)
          - [Isagenix Customer Community Steers New Product Launch](https://resources.flexmr.net/isa-insights)
          - [Curo Engage Residents with InsightHub Community](https://resources.flexmr.net/curo)

- [Strategic Thinking](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/strategic-thinking) /

 7 MIN READ

## Ahead of the Game: Using Consumer Insights to Move Forward

#### Russell Elliot

# [Participatory Approaches to Customer Closeness: Ex...](https://blog.flexmr.net/participatory-customer-closeness)

Most research still treats customers the way it did twenty years ago: as people we study, not people...

[Read more](https://blog.flexmr.net/participatory-customer-closeness)

 6 MIN READ

#### Dr Katharine Johnson

- [Events (1)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/events)
- [Insights Empowerment (38)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/insights-empowerment)
- [Practical Application (179)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/practical-application)
- [Research Methods (285)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/research-methods)
- [Strategic Thinking (239)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/strategic-thinking)
- [Survey Templates (7)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/survey-templates)
- [Tech & Trends (397)](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/tech-trends)

### [Ahead of the Game: Using Consumer Insights to Move F...](https://blog.flexmr.net/predicting-unpredictable)

Predicting the future is only really possible in the vaguest and least surprising way; predictions like ‘tomorrow will arrive’, though true, don’t exactly make you Nostradamus. The modern world is inf...

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/predicting-unpredictable)

 7 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

### [Myth Busting: Artificial Intelligence in Market Rese...](https://blog.flexmr.net/myth-busting-artificial-intelligence-market-research)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year you will no doubt have heard something about artificial intelligence (AI). Whether it has been positive or negative, AI has been completely una...

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/myth-busting-artificial-intelligence-market-research)

 10 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

### [Is Your Sample Ample? Common Issues and How To Avoid...](https://blog.flexmr.net/sample-ample-common-issues-how-to-avoid)

Good sampling doesn’t guarantee success, but a poor sample will guarantee failure.

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/sample-ample-common-issues-how-to-avoid)

 7 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

### [How to Design Effective Market Research Training](https://blog.flexmr.net/design-effective-market-research-training)

Training is an essential step in anyone’s career and anyone who wants to get ahead will be required to attend some form of training. For the curious, training is an opportunity - for the arrogant, it’...

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/design-effective-market-research-training)

 8 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

### [How to Scale Creative Qual for Rich Consumer Underst...](https://blog.flexmr.net/scale-creative-qual-rich-understanding)

Qualitative data is by its very nature more difficult to analyse than quantitative data. Quant data usually consists of numbers and stats… lovely, logical numbers and stats; qual however brings in sta...

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/scale-creative-qual-rich-understanding)

 8 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

### [5 Technologies Transforming Market Research in 2020](https://blog.flexmr.net/5-technologies-market-research-2020)

Market research practices are remarkably simple when boiled down to their essence: take a market, ask it questions about products and services, and react to their demands. This is, of course, an over-...

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/5-technologies-market-research-2020)

 9 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

### [The Case for Democratising Research Itself, Not Just...](https://blog.flexmr.net/democratising-research-itself)

‘Democratising’ is the practice of adding a democratic process to something. From a national election to tidying the house, anything can be democratised; in this blog, I want to look at the case for d...

[Continue reading](https://blog.flexmr.net/democratising-research-itself)

 8 MIN READ

#### Russell Elliot

![](https://www.flexmr.net/skin/images/images-custom/48f118ee-cef9-42d6-b60b-5575d5ac26e3-flexmr_footer.svg)

- [Home](https://www.flexmr.net/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.flexmr.net/contact/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.flexmr.net/legal/privacy/)
- [Cookie Policy](https://www.flexmr.net/legal/cookies/)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.flexmr.net/legal/terms-of-use/)

[Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/flexmr/)

[Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/_flexmr)

[Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexmr)

[Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/FlexmrNetOnlineResearch)

[![Grit Top 50 Logo](https://www.flexmr.net/uploads/photo-gallery-include-images/34/44258f4d-7452-40d6-bb23-0e220c8ba21f.png)](https://www.greenbook.org/mr/grit/business-innovation-edition)

[![ISO 27001 Alcumus](https://www.flexmr.net/uploads/photo-gallery-include-images/34/fa89f9b3-d866-43b8-8de0-4a052a9053d8.png)](https://www.alcumus.com/en-gb/certification/iso-27001/)

[![Cyber Essentials Plus Logo](https://www.flexmr.net/uploads/photo-gallery-include-images/34/cba57df6-75a2-4544-9599-dcc0c2f14b79.png)](https://blog.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Other/FlexMR_Cyber_Essentials_Certificate.pdf?__hstc=163229475.dde2c3d212762f49b059c9f62e7537a0.1624542718433.1626339489304.1626701624468.7&__hssc=163229475.2.1626701624468&__hsfp=3142549060)

© FlexMR 2021. All rights reserved.