What does social intelligence mean to you?
Where “Social Listening” is the process of using online conversation to answer business questions with actionable insight; “Social Intelligence” is the application of using social listening insights and recommendations to making data-driven decisions. One of the great things about social intelligence, is that it’s a data-driven approach. This means that your first project can serve as a benchmark and you can therefore subsequently measure the success of any actions then taken or not taken in a meaningful way, which could be either qualitative or quantitative, or both.
What motivates you in your work? What makes you want to keep working in social intelligence?
I am motivated by the potential for social intelligence to have a positive impact on people’s lives. I believe that by understanding and leveraging the power of data, we can build better relationships between individuals and organizations, allowing meaningful interactions and growth to happen. This drives me to want to keep working in social intelligence; I’m inspired by the idea that our work can lead to real world change and benefit people in tangible ways. It is incredibly fulfilling to be part of something that could truly make a difference in how people interact with each other and the world around them.
What do you think makes you successful in your work?
I am driven by my passion to understand the world and make an impact through actionable insights. My intellectual curiosity allows me to explore and discover new ways of looking at data, uncovering trends and patterns that help my clients make informed decisions. This same drive helps me share my knowledge with others, teaching them how to use data to their advantage and empower themselves with evidence-based decisions.
My commitment to helping others succeed has made me successful in both my work for clients and in teaching and empowering others in social intelligence.
What are the key skills that have contributed to your success?
I believe that intellectual curiosity and emotional intelligence are two of the key skills needed for successful social listening research. Being intellectually curious allows me to look at data in new ways and ask questions that challenge existing assumptions. Emotional intelligence helps me understand people’s perspectives, motivations, and feelings.
What makes social data special compared to other data sources?
Social data is unique because it is unsolicited and genuine. People have chosen to share their perspectives and emotions. This can provide valuable insights into the feelings around a certain situation that would be difficult to get in any other way. The data is also up-to-date, as it reflects what people are feeling in real-time, which makes it incredibly useful for understanding current trends or events at a global scale.
What does being a social intelligence pioneer mean in the context of your work?
As an industry, social intelligence is still maturing; in 2023, we’re at a critical time for innovation. From last year’s State of Social Listening study, we know that 53% of people are analysing data manually all or most of the time and only 28% are integrating alternative data sources. At the same time, 26% of companies are moving to create their own bespoke social intelligence solutions. This marks the beginning of an exciting new era for social listening, with opportunities abound for innovation – it’s precisely what drives my passion as a Pioneer in this field. Helping our clients get deeper insights more efficiently is always top-of-mind, driving me to develop innovative approaches throughout this journey.
We’re seeing the age of generalised social listening die, and I’m delighted to be recognised as a Pioneer in shaping what’s to come next.
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