CannyInsights.com
Drawing from Graham’s depth and breadth of knowledge and experience, CannyInsights.com is a business that provides insightful research, analysis and consultancy with a retail, built environment or digital flavour.
Alongside, we offer freelance copywriting and proofreading services – all underpinned by the engaging writing style and attention to detail that characterise everything we do.
CannyInsights = Usable Intelligence
CannyInsights.com specialises in ‘gathering intelligence’, helping organisations to base their decisionmaking on robust, up-to-date and usable evidence.
In the words of one retail CEO:
“CannyInsights.com recently undertook the market research for my company. It’s very rare in this day and age to find someone who promises to deliver within a very short timeframe and actually manages it; in this case it was a necessity, and Graham delivered.
“The content of the research questions and the way that Graham presented the findings just confirms to me the understanding and closeness that he has to the current state of the retail sector, which, in the very strange economic climate we are experiencing, is absolutely essential.
“My team has taken content from the findings and converted it into reality on the shop floor, and that is obviously a major factor in why we are currently seeing such an increase in sales.”
Project examples
Since our launch in October 2010, projects that we have worked on for our clients include:
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Customer satisfaction research for an expanding UK retail chain - We developed the survey questions, and analysed and reported upon the data collected – all within a two-week timeframe, allowing the retailer to implement the findings swiftly instore.
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‘Issues and Challenges’ report for a UK-wide retailer - We combined material from existing Soult’s Retail View blogs about this retailer with some new insights, to provide a summary report on the main issues and challenges facing the business, and to help build an evidence base for change. Topics covered included brand, product, first impressions, store environment, performance and competition, illustrated throughout with our original photographs.
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Writing industry- and consumer-focused press releases for a retail client - We worked with a national retailer to promote its store opening programme, drawing from our detailed knowledge and understanding of that company’s history and strategy.
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Research to understand the attitudes of marketers and consumers towards email marketing messages - We carried out data analysis and reporting for the e-marketing company that had conducted the fieldwork, and designed a professional report template in which to present the findings. The report was distributed via the company’s website, showcasing its understanding of e-marketing issues and trends to current and potential customers.
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Academic proofreading services - We have proofread theses for professors and PhD candidates in a leading construction-related university research centre.
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Business proofreading services – We worked with a respected market research company, proofreading reports that it had written for its university clients. Our input ensured that the reports displayed the highest standards of grammar, spelling, punctuation and consistency, as well as excellent overall readability.
To discuss how we might be able to help you, contact Graham by email using the form below, or give him a call on (0191) 461 0361.
Experience and expertise
Graham has fifteen years’ research experience, in both business and academia, and across a range of sectors. He has held research roles at the Centre for Northern Studies and the Centre for Public Policy at Northumbria University, and most recently spent four years at a Newcastle-based market research agency.
His experience includes leading and reporting upon numerous research projects for both public and private sector organisations, employing methods such as desk research and interviews, and always adopting an approach that combines critical rigour with superb attention to detail.
Research outputs have included profiles of industries, competitors and market trends, both in the North East and nationally.
Graham’s diverse background, and particular interests in the retail and digital sectors, ensures that all his work is underpinned by a strong understanding of the brand and marketing implications.
Outside of research and consultancy, Graham is also a respected retail writer, both through Soult’s Retail View – named by global media intelligence company Cision as the UK’s #2 retail blog – and in other publications, such as the Bdaily Business Network. He is also a well-known media commentator on retail issues, regularly appearing in regional newspapers, TV and radio, as well as being quoted in the national retail press.
