When we write research publications for Government clients, the golden rule we operate by is “Assume that any sentence you write can be taken out of context by the Daily Mail and used as a headline”.  That way, you can avoid any, er, ‘unintended political consequences’. Read more

Now don’t hold it against me, but I’m a lifetime follower of Amlin Cup holders (for the next few weeks anyway) Harlequins rugby club. My season ticket allows me to sit in the LV= stand for every game at The Stoop in the Aviva Premiership, as well as a good deal of other matches. Read more

Front page news in the Metro free sheet this morning – “Car insurers blacklisting text drivers”.   Am I surprised at this?  Why is this ‘news’ and how does it qualify as front page news? Read more

The financial services industry is not traditionally known for its ability to innovate. There haven’t been any truly new product ideas for many years.  It’s often argued that the increasing constraints imposed by successive waves of regulation have restricted what can be done, Read more

One of the great pleasures in the life of a researcher is having the opportunity to be involved in the creation and development of new products and services – from those first sparks of ideas, when those first little seeds are germinated right through to the detail of packaging, pricing or communications.  Read more

Often organisations find it extremely difficult to see themselves clearly, to take stock of their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Whilst we are happy to congratulate ourselves on a business win, successful project delivery or a bumper year, true introspection at a company level can be a struggle.  Read more

Special guest blogger and friend of Consensus Lucian Camp welcomes Martin Wheatley, the FCA and anything that encourages good practice in financial services marketing. Read more

In between Magnus Lindkvist stripping down to a morph suit, and talks of arousal and stalking I think the 2-day MRS conference gave a refreshing perspective on our industry and what we do for our clients. As a young(ish) researcher, it’s great to see industry leaders opening up to non-traditional and diverse research methods rather than shying away. Read more

Gender pricing is a hot topic in the insurance industry at the moment following the European Court of Justice ruling back in March last year, which stated that gender can no longer be used as a factor in pricing with effect from 21 December 2012. Read more

Here are 3 things that I am bored of seeing in online newsletters.

1. Anything to do with the countdown to RDR/ use of the ‘ticking clock’ metaphor ‘time bomb’ metaphor, etc. Read more