Judgement Day

So, I’ve just left the judges’ meeting for this year’s Research Magazine awards. Five categories and forty long-listed entrants across the board. And, truth to tell, it’s been a funny old year for entries. Numbers were a tad down and the Best New Agency category was positively emaciated. No real surprise when you consider that the past 12 months have not exactly been the most conducive for buccaneering entrepreneurs willing to set up shop. That said, three very strong candidates have made the shortlist for that category.

Far more worrying was the number of agencies who put themselves forward in the Business Transformation category. We were on the hunt for evidence of research work that has “genuinely affected an organisation’s strategy, orientation, business or focus.” You know, all those things that we constantly say should be research’s prime mission? We’ve a shining shortlist, but the entry level for this category was somewhat woeful. Bemusing, really. In this most demanding of times, we really expected agencies to not only demonstrate having spurred a high level of business transformation, but to be swamped with agencies proud to shout it from the rooftops.

We had a storming response to the Best Agency, the Best New Agency and the Best Place to Work categories. And that’s great. But when it all goes quiet on the research-as-an-agent-for-change front, you have to worry.

However, there was plenty for the judges to get their teeth into right across the board. No punches were thrown, but there was certainly stormier debate than we’ve had for a while. We are very confident that we’ve whittled the long-list down to very strong short-lists. We’re also confident that our winners are very worthy of the fame, boasting rights and potential business that’s heading their way when the awards are announced in December. Until then, we’re keeping shtum. You’re getting nothing out of us.