The Behaviorally Blog

Turning Data into Decisions: A Day in the Life of an Insights Leader

Written by behaviorally | Nov 19, 2025 12:00:01 PM

GRIT COMMENTARY [Perspective]

If you want a reliable alarm clock, get a dog. Mine, Stevie, ensures the day begins by 7 a.m. sharp and no snooze button is required. Once I’m out the door, the train ride that follows is my quiet window to catch up on the latest news or tune into podcasts from insights industry leaders and innovators.

When I arrive at the office, the focus shifts to collaboration. Mornings start with connecting to our client partners by checking in on their priorities, upcoming launches, or challenges where Behaviorally’s expertise can add clarity. Increasingly, these conversations are about action, and AI is often part of the discussion. Many are talking about how it’s transforming the way we work and gather insights. At Behaviorally, we’re putting that transformation into practice through our AI-powered testing tools trained by the world’s largest first-party behavioral pack database with real-world sales data. The real value of insights isn’t in collecting more data – it’s translating that knowledge into clear, actionable guidance that shapes how brands win at that most important moment of marketing: the purchase transaction.

By midday, I’m often meeting client partners face to-face (preferably over a good cup of coffee) to download on our latest work together. These conversations go beyond reviewing progress – they’re about turning insights into decisions that drive business growth. The greatest challenge in our industry today is aligning stakeholders on the next move and that’s where I focus my energy and guidance.

Afternoons are dedicated to teamwork at the office. This is when I’m checking in with my colleagues on live projects, reviewing results, and refining how we’ll deliver insights that are concise, visual, and actionable. AI tools help us streamline workflows, but they don’t replace human judgment. They free us to focus on what matters most: spinning the data into stories and stories into strategy.

As the day winds down, I shift to forward-looking work, which includes drafting proposals, shaping next steps, and thinking about how we can push boundaries for our clients. The commute home, often through the park with Stevie trotting happily beside me, is a welcome pause to reflect and reset. Because in 2025, success in insights is all about delivering faster clarity and guiding with decision precision.

THE AUTHOR

Katie O’Connor is the Senior VP of Key Accounts at Behaviorally, where she teams up with global brands to create standout packaging and shopper strategies. She’s passionate about market research and tech, always on the lookout for fresh, innovative ways to shake up the insights world and help brands grow.

Connect with her on LinkedIn!