A blog when it was just Adam and Pearson Insight
Remember the ‘Beast from the East’ at the beginning of March? Well, while my wife Cassie stayed at home and felt its full force, I somehow escaped to rural Normandie in France for a long weekend with my uncle. I didn’t realise it at the time but it was a defining few days for me.
The last 6 months had felt like a real, hard slog at work. Combine a 100 mile daily commute, a long winter, 50+ hour working weeks, the ‘odd’ bit of work on a Sunday becoming the norm. I was goosed.
Getting away from it all came at the right time. I needed that headspace to realise what I enjoy about working and what motivates me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been really fortunate to have had some interesting roles and worked with some great people. Most recently I’ve headed up a traded research service in the public sector.
But I’ve always had an ambition to set up on my own and operate with a bit more freedom. Yes, that’s right, someone from local government with entrepreneurial spirit (there’s more of us than you think). But I’d never had the balls to go for it.
So I arrived back to work on Monday morning and decided it was time to commit. It turns out things moved a little quicker than I’d perhaps planned, so much so I hadn’t technically ok’d it with Cassie when I asked to leave. We’re fine, just in case you were wondering.
If you’ve ever met me, I’m what you would describe as diminutive. As a keen footballer playing in the middle of midfield I was always taught to commit 100% or I’d get hurt.
So that’s what I’ve done. Committed.
Why Pearson Insight?
There’s quite a bit involved in setting up your own company. From finding an accountant and setting up an IT system to business planning and cashflow forecasting. And let’s not forget our awkward friend, GDPR, and all its demands.
But the hardest bit to begin with was actually coming up with a bloody name! When I did think of a name I liked, it was already registered at Companies House. And if it wasn’t, I’d get that underwhelmed look from Cassie. Finally I landed on Pearson Insight. It was available. Cassie didn’t scrunch up her face. And I couldn’t face thinking of another.
My market research around the office suggested ‘Pearson’ is a reliable, professional name and ‘Insight’ wraps up services that go beyond simply delivery of research. Although at the same time my brother thought it sounded like Pearson In Shite. You can’t win them all.
I’ve been lucky to have some help from a graphic designer who politely took my prototype logos, without laughing, put them in the bin when I wasn’t looking and developed a strong brand and toolkit that I’m really happy with. Thanks Steve!
What can you expect from Pearson Insight?
I’m not going to roll out my range of services, you can find them on the website. I also plan to share regular insights into what I do and what I know about research, analysis, evaluation and consultation.
By the way, Cassie has found my website particularly useful as she still doesn’t know what I do for a living. If you’ve ever seen Friends, you might enjoy this:
In short, if you need any kind of market research, survey, consultation, evaluation or data analysis project then there’s a good chance I can help. At the very least I’ll try to point you in the right direction or help you work through your options.
I’m doing this my way
I know, this sounds pompous and arrogant. Honestly though, I’m not. What I mean is I’ve got some ideas and ways of working which I believe in. I don’t know if Pearson Insight will be different or unique, probably not. But I hope it will be built on some solid foundations:
Learning – both for me, so I can deliver the best service I possibly can, but also how I can pass on what I know to others.
Value – this doesn’t mean cheap (often, you get what you pay for), it’s about delivering a quality service at an affordable, reasonable price.
Decent – this isn’t my quality mark! It’s how I want to operate, so I’ll be using local suppliers as much as possible, be responsible with the data I collect and process, and generally ‘give back’ where I can.
And after a couple of years of hotdesking with a clean desk policy, I’ve already gone overboard and treated myself to not 1 but 2 whiteboards. Don’t ask.
But I’m not doing it on my own
I’m lucky to have a really supportive wife who backs me to do things like quit your well-paid job and start up a business without a statutory husband and wife consultation period (there isn’t one, but maybe there should be?).
I also have Fred and George who will check in on me, let me know when the post comes and make sure I take regular breaks.
And when it comes to running my service, I have a trusted network of local suppliers and freelancers to help me deliver projects of all shapes and sizes.
