Shapiro+Raj

“Be afraid. Be very afraid.” A few weeks ago, we saw the end of the global ecosystem we grew up in. That’s because 3,000 leaders, 65 heads of state, and 850 CEOs talked about problems they have no intention of solving. All they did was what they call "dialogue." Here's what that actually means: 68% expect the world to fragment further. 100% advocate for cooperation. That's not strategic disagreement. That's institutional paralysis dressed up as thoughtful conversation. China warned against trade wars while doubling down on self-reliance. America threatened allies while demanding loyalty. Europe defended multilateralism while quietly militarizing. Three incompatible operating systems. Same hardware. Crashing in real time. But here's what keeps me up at night: Forty AI panels. Endless talk about governance, safety, ethics. Zero binding frameworks. Because the absence of AI governance isn't a coordination failure. It's a strategic choice by those who benefit from ambiguity. Dario Amodei says white-collar disruption hits in two years. Not a decade. Not five. Two. It's actually happening now. And companies are deploying AI in life-and-death contexts without regulatory clarity across jurisdictions. That's not innovation. That's Russian roulette with a business model. The economic sessions were even more unsettling. Recession probabilities between 30-45%. Sovereign debt is becoming structurally unsutainable. Asset bubbles are forming in frontier tech. And inequality identified as the most interconnected risk for the second straight year. A close CEO friend said: "This feels like 2007. But messier." He's right. In 2007, we had one crisis to manage. Now we have convergence: debt + bubbles + fragmentation + inequality. That's not a cycle. That's structural collapse dressed as transition. I decided to write this article because I'm done watching brilliant leaders optimize for a world that's already dead. The 71% performance premium doesn't go to those who dialogue. It goes to those who decide. Davos 2026 was recognition of problems without agreement on action. My article is the roadmap for what comes next. Not for those waiting for consensus. For those building the future while the old order talks itself to death. Read: "Davos 2026: When Dialogue Becomes a Substitute for Decision" https://lnkd.in/gTvCCEUN Transitions are where real leadership shows itself. And we're in one whether we admit it or not. #Davos2026 #AIGovernance #LeadershipDecisions #PharmaLeadership #GeopoliticalRisk

Synthetic data in primary market research is everywhere right now, but much of the conversation is stuck on: “Can AI create synthetic respondents to replace traditional research?” In our workshop, we take a different approach. Scott Swigart, SVP of Technology at Shapiro+Raj explores: - When avatars and synthetic panels are the wrong solution - Why grounding is the make-or-break factor for trust - How AI becomes delivers more value as a corpus analyst, not respondent replacement Join Scott’s pre-conference workshop at PMRC East tomorrow at 9:30am. We also offer this as a client-team workshop—highly tailored and hands-on. Teams can work directly with their own materials (TPPs, research outputs, strategic inputs) so the experience reflects real decision contexts, not a black-box demo. If interested in bringing the workshop to your team, learn more here: https://hubs.ly/Q041p8R_0 #PMRCEast #MarketResearch #SyntheticData

Shapiro+Raj is heading to Pharma Market Research Conference PMRC East with AstraZeneca to share a case study on how patient insight can be unlocked from years of disconnected research. Mina Labib and Alex T. will show how a human-driven AI approach helped connect disparate data sources, synthesize complex evidence, and uncover patient narratives —without sacrificing rigor or researcher control. If you’re attending PMRC East, join us: 📅 Feb 5 ⏰9:40–10:10 AM EST 📍Track C

The S+R Chicago office was feeling the competitive spirit last week ahead of the Bears vs. Packers Wild Card matchup —one of the greatest rivalries in football. We celebrated the big game by wearing our fan gear and eating a tailgate-style lunch complete with a full Chicago food spread. Outside of the kitchen, the office was divided, the trash talk was loud, and alliances were made. Looks like we had enough Bears fans to take them! Huge win for the home team. Now we can go back to being one team. Next up: bring on the Rams. #ShapiroRaj #BearDown

Insights without action are just potential. Last week, we challenged future insights leaders from the University of Georgia's Master of Marketing Research Program to close that gap, turning complex data into decisive, real-world strategies. Hosted by our CEO Zain Raj, the Immersion Day gave students the opportunity to tackle real business problems with guidance from esteemed leaders Jennifer Z. Renaud, Latrice Abanyie and Elbert Singleton. Using our AI insights agent, Stella, the students worked through modern marketing challenges and applied TechManity™ principles to uncover novel solutions. The students impressed us with their problem-solving skills, their seamless adoption of technology, and the tangible strategies they delivered. If their performance is any indication, the future of market research is in great hands. A special thank you to Bridget Pagels for her operational support behind the scenes. Her coordination ensured the event ran smoothly for students and hosts alike! #MarketResearch #UGA #MMR #FutureLeaders #AI #InsightsToAction #CorporatePartnership #Innovation

#aShapiroRajPerspective 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Behind that statistic are millions of individual stories of resilience, uncertainty, and hope. These lived experiences are more than data; they are the driving force behind progress in research, treatment, and patient support. #Patient For Anjalee Krohn, an Expert Moderator and Senior Director at Shapiro+Raj, the line between her professional work and personal life disappeared in the summer of 2019. Just weeks after leading a research project on pre-menopausal breast cancer, she felt a lump. The diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma. “I only knew what that was because of the project that I had done,” Anj recalls. “It was a kind of godsend. I knew I needed to take action.” The knowledge Anj gained during her work as a researcher empowered her to navigate her own journey. She pushed for second opinions, advocated for her treatment path, and faced a double mastectomy, chemo, and radiation with a unique understanding of the system she was now in. #ResearchPartner Returning to her work, Anj brought a perspective that can’t be taught. Her diagnosis added a profound layer of empathy to her research. “When I'm talking to doctors now, I understand a bit of that emotional aspect,” she says. “It's not just knowing the subject matter. It's really understanding what's gonna make them tick.” This deeper understanding allows her to uncover richer, more human-centric insights—the kind that help brands connect with patients authentically and shape more effective communication strategies. #Survivor Anj’s advocacy extends beyond her research. As a mentor with Imerman Angels, she connects with newly diagnosed patients and offers the one thing they need most, someone who truly gets it. “It’s my therapy,” she shares. “I tell the people I mentor, ‘You’re not alone. No one will understand it like we do.’” #Advocate Her advice to partners and clients in healthcare? Empower the patient. “Turn the control back to the patient. Don't forget this is your life. It is your choice.” Anj’s story is a powerful reminder that the most valuable insights are born from lived experience. Progress isn't just made in a lab; it's forged in the journeys of every patient who turns their experience into a voice for change. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #PatientCentricity #MarketResearch #HealthcareInsights #PerspectivesInProgress

#aShapiroRajPerspective It’s easy to feel uncertain about AI in healthcare when the narrative is ‘AI vs Doctor.’ But that’s not the real story. When it comes to AI in healthcare, our SVP of Technology, Scott Swigart has a clear perspective. As he puts it: “We need to debunk the hype that AI will replace doctors. The reality is AI will augment their capabilities.” That philosophy is the key to understanding the real-world impact of AI in breast cancer care today, where the most powerful advancements are happening in the collaboration between technology and clinicians. So, in a sea of hype and misinformation, let’s get clear on: #WhatsReal 1. Smarter, Faster Diagnosis A landmark 2023 Swedish trial showed AI-supported mammography detected 20% more cancers and cut radiologist workload by 44%. That means earlier, more accurate detection and better patient outcomes. 2. More Efficient Clinical Trials AI helps researchers design smarter trials and match patients faster. By analyzing complex data, AI speeds up the journey from lab to life-saving therapies. 3. Beyond the Clinic AI-powered tools like oncology chatbots offer patients 24/7 guidance—answering questions and providing reassurance throughout their journey. #WhatsNext The frontier is shifting from detection to prediction. The first FDA-authorized AI tools can now analyze a routine mammogram to predict a woman’s 5-year breast cancer risk. This allows for more personalized screening strategies for those who need them most. The takeaway is clear: The future isn’t “AI vs. Doctor.” It’s Doctor + AI. Investing in these tools empowers human expertise and will lead to faster advancement and better health outcomes. Key resources are in the comments – because transparency and clarity beats hype. #AIinHealthcare #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #PerspectivesinProgress #PatientCentricity #Innovation

Is synthetic data the future of research, or just an expensive mirage? Our SVP of Technology, Scott Swigart, is tackling this question head-on at the Insights Association Ignite AI Conference. Swipe through for a peek into his revealing, hype-free session designed to equip leaders with the critical knowledge needed to invest in AI responsibly and effectively. Will you be in LA at 4:00pm on October 21st? If you’re interested in attending, REGISTER HERE: https://hubs.ly/Q03P7zTX0 #IgniteAI #TechLeadership #ArtificalIntelligence #MarketResearch

#aShapiroRajPerspective In Breast Cancer, data is abundant, but genuine patient understanding still takes work. As market researchers, we pride ourselves on mastering complexity and mapping trade-offs that drive commercial clarity. Yet the hardest variable to quantify is often the most important one: the patient perspective. Alex T., a Research Lead at Shapiro+Raj, has led dozens of breast cancer studies focused on uncovering that missing link between insight and impact: “We don’t always know how to meaningfully layer in the patient perspective. That’s not because we doubt its importance, but because translating lived experience into brand and communication strategy takes nuance and empathy.” Empathy-led market research doesn’t replace rigor, it deepens it. It’s about designing studies that capture why patients act, not just what they say. “Think of how chemotherapy side effects are often analyzed in terms of tolerability or adherence. Behind those metrics are people navigating identity, relationships, and trust in care. Understanding that dimension transforms how we design support programs, messaging, and even how brands show up in clinical conversations.” As oncology becomes more targeted, patients’ expectations become more personal. The insights that drive real progress won’t just come from data tables, they’ll come from human experience. Because behind every insight is a person, and when empathy guides the research, data becomes more than information. It becomes a catalyst for better care, better outcomes, and a more human future in oncology. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #PerspectivesInProgress #PatientVoice #OncologyInsights #MarketResearch

“The line between a valuable AI insight and an expensive mirage is thinner than most vendors will admit.” For years, our SVP of Technology, Scott Swigart, has been leading practical AI implementation efforts, helping clients separate true innovation from dangerous illusion. Now, he’s sharing that expertise at the Insights Association Ignite AI Conference. Scott’s session strips away the marketing promises to expose what truly determines success or failure with these emerging technologies. You can expect: 🔹A live demo showing the difference between grounded and ungrounded data 🔹An honest look at the limitations and ethical questions vendors often avoid 🔹A practical takeaway: The “Buyer’s Bill of Rights” to guide your AI strategy 🗓️ When: October 21st at 4:00 PM 📍 Where: USC Hotel, Los Angeles 🔗 Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q03Mp7Y_0 #IgniteAI #TechLeadership #ArtificalIntelligence #MarketResearch