Tailored market research and cultural insight
Blue sky exploration, concept testing, on-going tracking, data analysis, and insight programs
Benchmark data, toolbox, and sector expertise and network
Business growth examples
Flourishing cities examples
Exploring local cities and global markets since 2004
Square Holes has researched extensively throughout Australia, including urban, rural, and remote areas. We have studied Indigenous populations, diverse cultures and immigrant communities, and individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds. Our journey began in South Australia, and has traversed Africa, Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Oceania.
Applied research
Business growth examples
Conduct research to measure and map current and potential geographic markets, including the financial size of the opportunity, competitors and market shares, brand positioning, and gaps in the market. Square Holes uses qualitative research and ethnography to deeply explore the market and uncover hidden quirks. The research also covers consumer needs and dynamics, as well as the needs and perspectives of customers, distributors, and influencers to illuminate the market.
Square Holes conducts research that matches consumer emotions, information needs, drivers/barriers, pain points, and opportunities to the critical steps in their journey. This helps to identify pain points and opportunities, create journey maps and models, remove unnecessary friction, and add unexpected “joy” to maximise profitability for key segments.
Conduct research to analyse the market and assess the brand’s position and health. Identify opportunities, target key segments, and develop an optimal media strategy. Develop and test brand and marketing concepts, and monitor the impact of the strategy on brand health. Refine the strategy as needed to promote sales growth.
Identify gaps and pain points for new products to find new markets and consumers. Use strategic insights to find obvious and not-so-obvious omissions to grow sales, including pricing, distribution, packaging, and segment differentiation. Use methodologies like choice-based conjoint or deep dive observational ethnography and semiotics to enhance bundling, quality identifiers, and other critical factors.
Flourishing cities examples
Square Holes works with arts and major events to measure their economic and cultural impact, tracking benefits over time. This research helps organisers identify opportunities and provides evidence to stakeholders on the value of long-term commitments.
Square Holes uses its extensive experience in behaviour change to tackle issues like smoking, gambling, alcohol misuse, road accidents, and relationship abuse. We also apply behaviour change models to enhance commercial success. Our strategies leverage behavioural psychology and economics to guide impactful interventions. Behavioural psychology covers stages like precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Behavioural economics focuses on driving action and reinforcing behaviour, taking into account messenger, incentives, norms, defaults, salience, priming, affect, commitments, and ego.
Data driven insight as a critical strategic foundation for growth
Establishing a strong foundation is crucial for successful strategy. Square Holes helps clients clarify their mission and objectives, generate ideas, and build a supportive team. We analyse hindsight, gather new data, and identify patterns and insights to create an evidence-based story highlighting key findings and opportunities.
Involving real people in product and service development will inspire innovation that optimises growth
Square Holes involves citizens, customers, users and audiences in concept testing and development for new products, marketing and other ideas. Permission to be brave with more than blind faith.
We partner with human-curious leaders to optimise growth and inspire innovation through tailored on-going market research and cultural insight programs
Square Holes also works with clients to define and monitor performance indicators, and identify priority strategy adjustments to enhance impact. On-going monitoring provides strategic reality and agility, precision in building flourishing cultures and growing brands.
We love data!
BIG and small data
Small data >
Immersion with real people
Engaging directly with individuals and groups in their natural environment through methods such as focus groups, one-on-one conversations, observation, and video, ethnographic and semiotic analysis, in order to gain insight into their behaviours, preferences, and values.
BIG data >
A helicopter view of patterns
Obtaining a broad perspective of trends and patterns through the use of various methods, such as surveys, behavioral data, and population statistics. This involves collecting, analysing, and conceptualising data to identify consistencies, differences, and opportunities.
Research outputs
A key output of Square Holes research is customised and visually clear reports that are tailored to the project and readership. We utilise various media, including video, to communicate research findings and produce interactive dashboards, data visualisations and other insight tools depending on the project needs. Beyond the report, Square Holes is ever seeking to support clients in implementing and optimising their projects for success.
Examples of how our reporting is tailored to clients
Video and other media is also used where appropriate and budget permits by Square Holes to optimally communicate the research story and key insights to the team. We use both in-house, established freelance and film industry networks to suit all budgets, audiences and client needs, from highlight edits of focus group to more highly produced documentary executions.
Support beyond the research
Strategic frameworks
Building on robust research, strategic frameworks to guide planning and creative development.
Brief writing
Support in writing briefs building on research to send to designers, freelancers and agencies.
Concept testing
Involve users and audience in testing and refining new products, marketing and other concepts.
Strategic support
Project management and other support to help in implementation and optimising Kapow!
Reimagine the future
Are you a human-curious leader? We work with people like you to optimise growth and inspire innovation through tailored on-going market research and cultural insight programs. We would love to work with you.
