How did you get there? Linda Henshall
Great to hear from Linda Henshall who has been a stalwart of our industry for 41 years and there are not a lot of things she has not seen or heard in her time.
So, how did you get into the industry, and take us through how you got to this point?
In 1975 when both our sons were at school, I was looking for a challenge, I heard on Radio Medway they were looking for people to train as interviewers for the BBC daily survey; the training was at the BBC in Portland Place.
Through doing the daily survey I met other interviewers and was introduced to Gordon Simmonds, NOP and Field Control and started working with them.
In December 1976 my family moved from Sittingbourne in Kent to Ottershaw in Surrey.
Hilary Hopkins invited me to lunch in 1978 and offered me the job as a supervisor for Field Control which was very unexpected.
Over the next years I became supervisor for Interviewing Services, Campbell Daniels and Plus 4.
In 1982 Martin Daniels and Rob Jones suggested the three of us form a company and in February 1983 The New Fieldwork Co Ltd was formed.
It may seem strange these days, but when most interviewing was done face to face in town centres, this was a real problem, fieldworkers were not allowed on the streets. Even when companies had paid for a hall venue.
I have always been a big supporter of all field-related issues and was on field committee for many years. I was elected to MRS Council in 1996 and served until 2004.
In that same year, I joined the MRBA as a Trustee & Fundraiser in 2004 I am still an active Trustee & Fundraiser for the MRBA.
The MRBA is the UK’s industry’s independent charity, helping past and present members of the market and social research community since 1977 and totally relies on the generous donations and support from individuals and organisations across our industry.
I was made a Fellow of the Market Research Society in 2005 for my work and dedication to field related issues.
I have met so many wonderful people over the years and some have become life long friends.
Why should anyone consider a career in market research, data and insights?
It’s a great industry to be in, collecting data about life changing issues is always exciting and worthwhile, subjects you work on change from day to day so life is never boring!
Career paths are rarely without challenges. Can you share an honest moment from your career when things didn’t go quite according to plan, but the lessons remain with you to this day?
Years ago, we had a hall test where biscuits were being tested. As we were packing the job, the biscuits looked so tempting we couldn’t resist to try them, thinking there were several layers left in the box, but the next layer was empty. We learnt our lesson – count before you eat!
What two things should junior researchers focus on as they progress in their careers?
There are actually 3 things I feel Junior Researchers should focus on:
- Always listen and learn
- Honesty is important
- Try to experience all the areas involved in market research e.g from receiving the brief from a client, designing/enhancing sample spec, to how recruiters recruit for groups/interviews/hall tests etc etc etc – you may excel in another area than you have chosen
Do you have any advice for our sector?
Our industry is continually changing how research is conducted, I would suggest embracing new recruitment techniques and technologies when they come along and don’t be afraid.
And do you have anyone who has helped your career so far that you’d like to acknowledge and say thanks or give a shout out to?
Martin Daniels and Rob Jones for encouraging me to start Newfieldwork
Bob Qureshi and Neil Grantham for being great clients and friends.
Thanks to our clients and staff for all the support over the last 41 years!