Why Real Problem Solving Starts With the Right Research
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s tempting to chase quick fixes or lean on the latest tech buzz (like AI) to solve problems. But real problem solving starts with something less flashy: solid research and thoughtful engagement. Without a foundation of quality research, even the smartest tools yield shallow outcomes. In fact, when companies skip this step, they often end up making decisions on faulty assumptions that can do more harm than good.
The High Cost of Skipping Research
Relying on flawed data or gut instinct alone can be extremely costly. IBM has estimated that poor data quality costs the U.S. economy around $3.1 trillion every year, and even a third of business leaders admit they don’t trust the data they have (Reference: https://www.inc.com/anne-gherini/why-your-bad-data-is-creating-a-3-trillion-problem.html). Likewise, shiny new technologies won’t help if they’re not grounded in understanding the real problem. A recent MIT study found that despite $30–40 billion invested in enterprise AI, 95% of AI projects deliver little or no business impact. (Reference: https://www.rapidcanvas.ai/blogs/the-gen-ai-divide-why-95-of-ai-projects-fail) These figures underscore a simple truth: there’s no shortcut for getting the facts right. Quick fixes built on bad information often lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities.
Ask the Right Questions, Engage the Right People
Effective research isn’t just about numbers – it’s about asking the right questions and engaging the people who matter. If you rush a survey or use leading questions, you’ll get misleading answers. Even with a high response rate, a poorly designed survey (think unclear wording or biased questions) can produce skewed data that leads you astray. Quality matters more than quantity, which is why identifying your survey takers is vital, whether they’re customers, employees, or community members, and really listening. By involving the right people and framing questions thoughtfully, you uncover insights that a quick dataset or an algorithm might miss.
Research Is a Strategic Asset, Not a Cost
Too often, research is seen as a budget line-item to minimize. In reality, it’s a strategic asset that drives better decisions. Research-driven organizations consistently outperform those that operate on hunches. For example, a McKinsey analysis found that data-driven companies are 23 times more likely to acquire customers – and substantially more likely to be profitable and retain those customers (Reference: https://www.keboola.com/blog/5-stats-that-show-how-data-driven-organizations-outperform-their-competition) In other words, investing in research upfront saves money (and headaches) later by preventing misguided projects and revealing smarter strategies. Whether it’s survey research, market analysis, or pilot programs, good research informs everything from high-level strategy to on-the-ground operations.
Turning Research Into Action, Across Every Sector And Industry
Real-world problems are diverse – and so is the research needed to solve them. At the Rise Group Inc. we bring experience across various sectors, from agriculture to public health, ensuring that research findings inform strategy, communications, operations, and beyond. This means we understand how to tailor research to different contexts, whether we’re gathering insights from farmers in the field or evaluating public health outreach in a community. In every case, the goal is the same: turn quality research into actionable insight. By asking the right questions and engaging the right experts, Rise Group Inc. helps organizations connect the dots between data and real life, so solutions are grounded in reality and integrity.
Solve Real Problems with Integrity and Insight
Ultimately, there’s no substitute for doing your homework. Quick tech fixes might promise the world, but without the right research, they often fall flat. The most impactful changes happen when business leaders treat research not as a checkbox or a cost, but as a critical investment in understanding. So the next time you face a complex challenge, start by digging in and asking: What do we need to learn? and Who should we listen to? By beginning with these questions, you set the stage for solutions that actually work.
If you’re ready to solve real-world problems with the benefit of high-quality research, let’s talk. Contact us to form a research partnership built on integrity and insight.
