Curious Insights

Curious Insights is a global market research firm on a mission to humanize research. We collect quantitative survey data and blend it with qualitative human insights to help clients get a 360-degree view of their audience. Our extensive database of IT and business decision-makers means we can cater to any and all survey requests, no matter how complex. With our passion for curiosity, we bring an extra layer of humanity to the research process – leaving clients truly understanding their customers.

Curious to learn more? Check out how Curious Insights can help make your research unique: https://curious-insights.com

Founder and Director

Cognizant

The Center for the Future of Work was Cognizant’s engine linking next-generation thought leadership, outreach, and community to next-generation customer business requirements. An exquisite group of high-caliber futurists, this team helped keep Cognizant at the frontier, by contributing fresh thinking about how technology- and human-driven innovation fuel the modern enterprise. I examined the future of everything involved in work; business strategies, markets, competition, enabling technologies, work practices, management models, socio-economics, socio-politics, location, and individual's views of work.

As a head of the Center for the Future of Work in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, I provided original research and analysis of work trends and dynamics and collaborated with a wide range of business and technology thinkers and academics about what the future of work will look as technology changes so many aspects of businesses and individuals. Key responsibilities included: 

* In close collaboration with business units leaders, designed and authored thought leadership aligned to critical areas such as exploring the future of work, modern business, jobs and workplace
* Designed studies to gather data supporting planned research agenda for the year
* Specialized in key trends in the digital business space and understand the impact and potential of new technologies
* Presented business and market-level findings at corporate and industry events, as well as in key client interactions 
* Incubated and leveraged relationships with academic institutions and other external research partners
* Supported new solution creation at the business unit level by weaving in research findings to aid in go-to-market activities

Head of the Center for the Future of Work - Asia Pacific

Senior Director, Center for the Future of Work, Asia Pacific

Forrester Research

Setting business strategy, increasing revenue, defining and refining corporate brand recognition. Received commendation (from APAC regional head) for building, leading and directing results-driven teams as well as triggering a culture of trust and teamwork

* Assumed responsibility for establishing business development and expansion plans, annual budgeting, and delivery goals for the business units. Mapped out and executed strategies to actualize and exceed the goals
* Identified key areas of improvement in business and marketing functions and implemented them to ensure the efficient execution of corporate goals
* Collaborated with the sales department to maximize Forrester's business in India, whilst improving existing client relationships to generate repeat business
* Led and supervised a team of analysts, researchers and consultants, and assisted them in meeting their stated research, consulting, and advisory goals
* Executed various marketing efforts to generate leads for sales
* Managed third-party vendor and media relationships
 
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 
* Drove organizational initiatives, built profitable relationships with clients and utilized best business practices to improve the annual business growth in India by 60%
* Conceptualized and implemented cost reduction ideas including modifying operation model which yielded a 40% savings in cost
* Represented Forrester at numerous national and international events as a keynote speaker and built strong C-level relationships
* Established and expanded Forrester India team to 100+ individuals

Vice President, Country Manager - India

• Streamlined daily operations to ensure the smooth run of the business and to improve productivity.
• Undertook the tasks of integrating Springboard Research (acquired in May 2011) with Forrester by bridging the cultural dynamics in cross-border M&A.
• Developed a profound understanding of what Forrester clients require to be successful, with a focus on how to enable continuous service delivery
• Secured eight new logos in 12 months

Director of Research

Springboard Research

(Forrester acquired Springboard Research in May, 2011)
• Streamlined daily operations to ensure the smooth run of the business and to improve productivity.
• Undertook the tasks of integrating Springboard Research (acquired in May 2011) with Forrester by bridging the cultural dynamics in cross-border M&A.
• Developed a profound understanding of what Forrester clients require to be successful, with a focus on how to enable continuous service delivery
• Secured eight new logos in 12 months

Director - India and Research Operations

• Assumed responsibility for implementing customized quantitative or qualitative studies, including project costing, questionnaire design, project management and execution, and analysis and report writing.
• Coordinated multiple custom research studies (ranging from mid-sized to large), from pre-sales assistance through the final project deliverable.
• Coordinated project task activities between the project team and internal support/operations team(s).
• Assisted sales in developing strong and captivating proposals to meet client needs, based on short research briefs and/or elaborate RFPs by developing cost structure, methodological designs, analytical framework, etc.
• Used analytical tools such as SPSS to identify the drivers of members’ business problems, to create hypotheses regarding solutions, and to test differences between conventional and progressive practice.
• Built web-based resource centers, toolkits and benchmarking analyses.

Manager - Custom Research

• Scheduled and performed research and utilized consulting, written reports, client inquiries, and speeches to provide advice.
• Guided and counseled CIOs and IT vendors on emerging technologies, architecture and technology strategy, IT investment, business technology alignment, business innovation, and technology trends.
• Collaborated with experts from across Forrester's various focus areas to develop a complete context for these trends, weaving research reports together to provide a “big picture” of business technology.

Senior Analyst

Researched and analyzed collected data on the business challenges facing IT vendors. Utilized findings from research to develop strategies that will play a key role in the business growth of IT vendors in Asia-Pacific. Each day presented a variety of research objectives requiring critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Analyst

Evalueserve

• Led the execution of various projects and assisted clients with customized business research, market research, and consulting services.
• Handled the design of research methodology and preparation of comprehensive reports, such as market size, and growth potential, and trends.

Senior Research Analyst

RICO Softech

• Led, directed and supervised a team of 20 associates for the UK and US-based outbound sales processes.
• Briefed the team on the importance of the tasks and collaborated with team members to initiate and execute plans to meet and exceed assigned targets.

Team Lead

GENPACT (Earlier GE Capital International Services)

• Played a key role in the UK-based auto insurance process, enhancing process turnaround time by 30%.
• Utilized the experience to develop a strong foundation of "quality."
• Received "Employee of the Month" award for five times and "Star Employee" award twice, for excellent performance.

Process Associate

I founded Curious Insights, a global market research firm, with a mission to humanize research. Drawing on my 20+ years of experience as a thought leader and futurist, I help clients get a 360-degree view of their audience by blending quantitative survey data with qualitative human insights. My passion for curiosity drives me to uncover insights that fuel business outcomes and innovation.

Before launching Curious Insights, I led Cognizant's Center for the Future of Work in the Asia Pacific, where I published compelling reports and guided Fortune 500 companies on #futureofwork. I also served as a Vice President with Forrester Research, advising clients on business strategies, management models, and innovation. I am a trusted advisor and speaker, with expertise in market research, data analytics, and the future of work. Connect with me to learn how Curious Insights can make your research unique: mbahl@curious-insights.com.

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