In this episode, we explore the critical aspects of budgeting for research practices, especially for those who are the first or only researchers in their organization, or part of a small research team.

We'll cover the main components of a research budget, which include researchers' salaries, tooling costs, and participant incentives, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing incentives to ensure successful research efforts.

I provide practical advice on how to strategically allocate limited resources and leverage tools already in use within the organization to maximize impact.

Join me to learn valuable tips and strategies to effectively advocate for and manage your research budget.

(1:10) Introduction and Episode Overview
(1:40) Defining a Budget for Small Research Teams
(03:49) Key Components of a Research Budget
(05:09) Prioritizing Incentives in Your Budget
(07:03) Calculating Incentives and Budgeting Tips
(08:51) Choosing the Right Tools for Your Research
(10:37) Leveraging Existing Tools and Final Thoughts
(12:15) Recap and Conclusion

In this episode, I discuss the evolving role of researchers in organizations, drawing on a football analogy to explain the shift from a 'striker' mentality to a 'playmaker' approach.

As companies face changes with AI, product discovery, and the distribution of research teams, researchers must leverage their skillset in new ways.

By adopting a playmaker mindset, researchers can help elevate everyone's understanding and use of data, ensuring better decision-making and greater company success.

Tune in to learn how this shift can positively impact the research industry and enhance the value of researchers across the board.

(0:11) Introduction and Warm Welcome
(1:15) Researchers as Playmakers: A New Role
(1:32) Challenges and Opportunities in Research
(2:48) From Strikers to Playmakers: Changing Mindsets
(5:00) The Playmaker's Role in Research
(6:57) Practical Applications of the Playmaker Role
(10:54) The Future of Research and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we welcome two phenomenal guests: Ruby Pryor, founder of UX research and strategic design firm Rex, and Emily Anderson, founder of design studio Ampersand. Ruby shares her extensive background in human-centered design, strategic design, and her journey of content creation, which began after an unexpected layoff.

Emily shares her own path of creating impactful design content inspired by personal stories and frustrations, and how it evolved into public speaking and influencing other designers.

Both guests delve into the importance of writing content, overcoming associated anxieties, and sustaining collaboration between designers and researchers.

Their insightful tips for first-time researchers and designers provide valuable advice on staying motivated, showcasing business impact, and navigating the complexities of their roles. Don't miss out on the wisdom and experiences shared by these accomplished professionals.

(0:11) Welcome and Guest Introductions
(0:35) Ruby Pryor's Journey in UX Design
(1:23) Emily Anderson's Diverse Design Experience
(2:22) The Start of Content Creation
(3:56) Ruby's Content Creation Journey
(5:53) Emily's Content Creation Journey
(7:46) From Content to Courses and Speaking Engagements
(16:12) The Value of Content Creation
(17:43) Overcoming Anxieties and Building Connections
(22:53) Dealing with Negative Feedback
(23:55) Anxiety and Posting Content
(28:58) Collaboration Between Researchers and Designers
(34:26) Balancing Research and Design
(36:58) Business Impact and Communication
(39:35) Tips for Designers and Researchers
(44:34) Conclusion and Where to Find Us

In this episode of Finders to Builders, we delve into the hot topic of impact in UX research.

We discuss the reasons behind the request to showcase research impact, ranging from senior management's interest in understanding the value of research to scenarios where the company questions the need for a research department.

We talk about the four types of impact: direct, guidance, knowledge availability, and accumulated knowledge.

Tune in for practical tips on how to effectively showcase the impact of your UX research.

(00:57) Introduction to Impact in UX Research
(01:26) Reasons for Showcasing Research Impact
(03:46) Improving Perception of Research
(04:53) Types of Research Impact
(08:42) Tracking Research Impact
(10:42) Building Relationships for Better Tracking
(12:14) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hey everyone, Julian here. In this episode, I dive into the rapidly changing world of AI.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit—I’m not an AI expert. But like many of you, I’m trying to make sense of the hype, the reality, and what it all means, especially for researchers.

Throughout the episode, I share my thoughts on why it’s important to stay curious but also skeptical.

01:29 – Introduction
02:08 – Why Talk About AI?
03:41 – The Unpredictable Nature of AI
05:15 – Who to Trust in the AI Space
06:30 – Global Perspectives on AI Development
10:02 – AI in Research: Opportunities and Challenges
12:42 – The Risk of Misusing AI in Research
14:41 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hungry for more? Follow me on Substack

Join me in this episode as I sit down with two amazing guests, Nikki and Chris, to dive into the world of content creation. Nikki is a user researcher and founder with a passion for horror fiction, while Chris runs the creator businesses UX Playbook and Backlog.

We explore their journeys, the importance of creating content, overcoming challenges, and tips for getting started. From the pitfalls of chasing vanity metrics to the positives of finding your authentic voice, we cover it all.

Whether you're considering content creation or looking to improve, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.
(02:15) Background and Interests

(05:35) Starting Content Creation: Nikki's Perspective

(06:42) Starting Content Creation: Chris's Perspective

(08:31) Challenges and Rewards of Content Creation 10:15 Inspiration and Tools for Content Creation

(17:33) Writing Tips and Overcoming the Blank Page

(21:26) Benefits of Content Creation for Career Growth

(23:29) Exploring Content Creation on Instagram

(23:52) The Benefits of Creating Content

(24:48) Challenges of Creating Content for Business

(27:14) The Long Game in Content Creation

(29:27) Horror Stories and Challenges

(33:12) Dealing with Plagiarism

(42:34) Tips for New Content Creators

(48:16) Conclusion

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ or find me on ⁠⁠LinkedIn

You can follow Nikki on Linkedin or her User Research Strategist page

You can find Chris on Linkedin at or at UX Playbook

In this episode, we discuss why the traditional 'big reveal' in research presentations is often ineffective and detrimental to the research process. Instead, I advocate for a 'building in public' approach, where insights and updates are shared regularly with the team.

This method ensures alignment, reduces misunderstandings, and increases the likelihood that your insights will be acted upon. I also share practical tips on how to keep stakeholders engaged throughout the research process.

(01:43) Welcome and Personal Anecdote

(02:20) The Big Reveal: Why It's Harmful

(06:30) Alternatives to the Big Reveal

(09:36) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our ⁠newsletter⁠ or find me on ⁠LinkedIn

In this episode of Refunders to Builders, I sit down with two incredible guests, Meltem and Marvin, who are seasoned UX career coaches.

We dive deep into the challenges faced by UX professionals, from feeling stuck in well-paid jobs to navigating career transitions and deciding on the next steps.

We discuss the importance of taking time to learn, understanding one's unique strengths, the role of soft skills, and networking.

Whether you're just starting in UX, considering a shift, or wondering how to stand out in the current job market, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice.

Tune in to understand how to align your career goals with what truly motivates you and how to approach career development in a meaningful and impactful way.

(01:57) Meet Our Guests: Meltem and Marvin

(02:48) Understanding Career Stagnation

(06:46) Advice for Career Transitioners

(09:12) Growing in Your UX Career

(13:19) Finding Direction When Feeling Lost

(17:00) Considering a Step Back from Management

(20:45) The Importance of Soft Skills

(24:52) Navigating the Current UX Job Market

(29:36) The Power of Networking

(33:38) Conclusion and Farewell

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our newsletter or find me on LinkedIn

You can find Meltem on LinkedIn or Substack And you can find Marvin on LinkedIn

In this episode, I discuss how to profile your users for participant recruitment in user research.

By creating a detailed differentiation between your users, you'll learn how to effectively contact and recruit them for your studies.

Using simple tools, I demonstrate a structured method you can use when you arrive as the company's first researcher to categorize and assess your user base, considering factors like response time, recruitment costs, and user roles.(01:17) Intro(02:01) Overview of User Profiling for Recruitment(02:59) Creating a User Differentiation Table(04:35) Detailed Breakdown of User Categories(07:25) Recruitment Strategies and Considerations(11:29) Conclusion and Additional Resources

Hungry for more? Follow our Newsletter!

In this episode, we explore effective stakeholder management strategies for user researchers with Jen Blatz and Amanda Gelb.

We explore the importance of understanding decision-makers' priorities, leveraging social listening, and aligning research objectives from the outset.

Amanda and Jen share their experiences and methodologies, including stakeholder mapping, co-creation, navigating misalignments, and proving research value.

This episode is packed with practical advice for first or solo researchers on prioritization, building relationships, and creating scalable frameworks to demonstrate research impact.(01:46) Intro(03:32) Amanda Gelb's Background and Current Endeavors(04:38) Discussion on Stakeholder Management(05:13) Common Challenges in Managing Stakeholder Expectations(06:59) The Role of Intake Process in Stakeholder Management(09:37) Mapping and Identifying Stakeholders(15:59) Involving Stakeholders Throughout the Research Process(21:58) Balancing Research Involvement(23:13) Building Relationships with Stakeholders(25:52) Handling Executive Requests(29:17) Effective Communication with Developers(32:20) Defending Research Decisions(38:03) Proving the Value of Research(40:27) Key Tips for Solo Researchers(44:22) Conclusion and Farewell

Hungry for more? Follow me on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter at https://finderstobuilders.com/

You can find our guests on:

Jen Blatz's LinkedIn or her YouTube Channel BlatzChatz

Amanda's LinkedIn or her fabulous Maven course

Hello and welcome to Season 2 of From Finders to Builders!

There is a lot of new stuff coming up this season! We will have dual guest interviews, in-depth one-on-one conversations, and, of course, plenty of solo episodes like this one!

This 2025 there's a lot of fearmongering out there. Loads of people writing and claiming "UXR is dead", "AI will eat us alive", "The industry is...." and things of the sort.

Let's not dive into the negative and keep pushing forward. You've got this!

Let's kick start this Season 2 with some positivity!

(00:41) Exciting Plans for 2025

(01:17) New Interview Formats

(01:49) Adopting a Positive Mindset Despite Fear

(05:43) On Current Challenges

(07:58) Final Thoughts

Stay tuned! Subscribe to theFrom Finders to Builders Newsletter.

Thank you for tuning in for Season 1 and sorry I could not record the 5 episodes I had planned.

However... this lead me to confirm Season 2!

See you soon in Feburary 2025!

Subscribe to our newsletter at finderstobuilders.com and stay up to date.

Today we explore the journeys of individuals transitioning from academia to UX research, featuring insights from Elisabeth Morales Arch of Elastic and Elizabeth Morin-Lessard. We talk about leveraging academic skills in the tech industry, overcoming unexpected challenges, and understanding industry-specific dynamics. Elizabeth reflects on the differences between academic and industry research, emphasizing the critical importance of analytical skills, time management, and stakeholder communication. If you're in academia and considering a career shift into tech, this episode is for you! (00:00) Welcome (00:29) Elizabeth's Background and Transition to UX (03:23) Challenges and Fears of Transitioning (05:02) Job Search and Skill Application (08:52) Unexpected Aspects of UX Research (11:07) First Job Experience in UX (13:15) Academic Research vs. Business Research (14:54) Adapting to a Faster Pace (16:02) Reflecting on the Transition (17:43) Encouraging Academia to Industry Transitions (19:27) Preparing for a UX Research Role (20:57) Advice for Aspiring UX Researchers (24:17) Leveraging Academic Work in Industry (25:50) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hungry for more? Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Finders to Builders or follow me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Elizabeth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠ or follow her on Medium

Welcome back after the summer break! This time, we host Nikki Anderson, a seasoned user researcher with over a decade of experience. Nikki discusses her diverse roles in the field, from in-house researcher to coach, and delves into her recent work, including her book 'Impact'.

We cover essential topics such as building effective research practices, stakeholder management, and navigating user research operations.

Nikki shares valuable tips for solo researchers, including the importance of engaging with stakeholders, understanding organizational context, and tracking your impact.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced researcher, Nikki offers practical advice to help advance your career and improve your research processes. (00:00) Intro (00:28) Nikki Anderson's Background and Career (02:00) Writing the Book 'Impact' (03:32) Importance of Research Practices (05:23) Engaging with Stakeholders (08:24) Research Operations Essentials (13:18) Assessing UX Maturity (18:30) Challenges for First Researchers (25:36) Top Tips for Solo Researchers (29:37) Conclusion

Hungry for more?

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Finders to Builders newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

or follow me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Nikki ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, take a look at her website User Research Academy or check out her latest book "Impact".

In this episode of 'From Finders to Builders', we welcome Pedro Vargas to discuss the significance and intricacies of ResearchOps. Pedro shares insights from his experience as a researcher starting in 2018, the importance of research jobs, and common misconceptions.

The conversation also covers practical advice for first-time researchers, such as starting with simple tools and focusing on efficiency.

We dive into areas like participant management, repositories, and the indispensable value of treating internal tools as products. Tune in to uncover valuable tips for anyone involved in research operations and learn how to effectively implement ResearchOps in various organizational contexts. (00:00) Introduction (01:50) Pedro's Journey into UX Research (04:27) The Importance of Research Ops (09:38) Getting Started with Research Ops (19:10) Common Misconceptions about Research Ops (22:45) Final Thoughts and Farewell

Hungry for more?

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠From Finders to Builders newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

or follow me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Pedro ⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠or check out Research Pro.

Today we host Roberta Dombrowski, a seasoned research partner at Maze and a leadership coach at Learn Mindfully.

Roberta shares her insights on what it means to lead in UX research, emphasizing that leadership can come from any role, not just those with managerial titles. She discusses the essential traits and skills needed for effective leadership, such as communication, conflict resolution, and visionary thinking, along with the common challenges researchers face.

We also touch on topics like imposter syndrome, the importance of onboarding, and actionable tips for solo researchers or teams of one. (00:00) Introduction (00:16) Roberta's Background and Experience (01:04) Leadership in UX Research (02:37) Challenges of Leading Without a Title (07:59) Traits and Skills for Effective Leadership (11:26) Scaling the Team and Transitioning to Leadership (19:16) Imposter Syndrome in Leadership (23:23) First 30, 60, 90 Days as a Researcher (27:23) Final Tips and Closing Remarks

Hungry for more?

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From Finders to Builders newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

or follow me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Roberta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or check out ⁠Learn Mindfully⁠.

Check out some of Roberta's articles to dig deeper into what we discussed in this episode:

• Embracing onlyness: ⁠https://learnmindfully.co/2024/07/05/embracing-onlyness/⁠

• Getting to the heart of influence: ⁠https://learnmindfully.co/2023/10/10/getting-to-the-heart-of-influence/⁠

In this episode, we discuss essential steps for new researchers joining a company.

How to prepare during the interview process, how to better understand company dynamics in the first 30-60 days, and how to set yourself up for success through identifying key stakeholders and current research practices.

We talk about the importance of understanding the 'who, how, and where', the team's operational setup, and how to approach this with a playmaker mindset to elevate the overall research culture within the company. (00:00) Introduction to the First Researcher Role (00:26) Preparing During the Interview Process (02:22) Starting the Job: Onboarding Essentials (04:04) Understanding the Team and Their Roles (06:42) Exploring Existing Research Practices (08:54) Identifying Current and Future Research Opportunities (12:10) Operational Setup and Long-Term Planning (15:26) Conclusion and Community Engagement

Hungry for more?

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠From Finders to Builders newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

or follow me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today we're joined by Caitlin Sullivan, a consultant who has focused on startups and scale-ups since 2018. Caitlin shares her passion for product-market fit research and outlines the challenges and approaches to managing research in early-stage companies, emphasizing the importance of moving fast and democratizing research within the team. Caitlin also delves into the impact of AI on user research and provides tips for integrating AI tools into the research process. (00:00) Introduction (01:43) Working with Startups and Scale-ups (03:06) The Role of Research in Startups (05:03) Challenges and Mindsets of Founders (08:30) When to Hire a User Researcher (11:05) Early Stage vs. Later Stage Research (17:24) Building Research Practices in Startups (26:54) AI and the Future of User Research (33:10) Tips for First Researchers (36:39) Conclusion and Farewell

Hungry for more?

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠From Finders to Builders newsletter⁠⁠⁠

or follow me ⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Caitlin ⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠ or check out the AI Customer Research newsletter.