NICOLE NG
HELLO
I am an innovation strategist and product researcher that has spent the past 10+ years unpacking user context and cultural shifts for businesses, so their products and narratives meet the moment and beyond.
I love this line of work because it rewards the curious, strategic - and ropes you into a merry band of creative builders.
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I am a historian and STS nerd that has also worn past hats in policy, branding, biz dev -
All good researchers as a rule of thumb are active listeners, shrewd storytellers, cross-functional bridges
Here's what I thrive at especially -
MODUS OPERANDI
THINK
RAPID SENSEMAKER
Love diving into and simplifying complex topics. I get to a baseline quick by choosing Qs well, of whom, testing assumptions early and often. Invigorated, not overwhelmed by velocity of inputs and signals
COMMERCIAL ACUMEN
I reject this notion of a researcher as a bleeding heart. To truly rep the users, a firm grasp of business fundamentals, operating constraints, stakeholder mental models is key for any successful translation
STRUCTURED AMBIGUITY
Exploring fuzzy spaces with discipline. Track record of scaffolding from blue-sky visions to actionable MVP. Good at generative research, interrogating proposition, designing from first principles.
ACT
CODESWITCHER
Scrappy yet strategic, able to zoom in/out and operate at different ft. In weeds of fieldwork drinking with users at home one day, and negotiating with C-suites in a boardroom the next on a go/no-go
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VERSATILE STORYTELLER
From wordsmithing at creative agencies to bluntspeak at chaebols. Play to a range of audience sensibilities, from expert to laymen, developers to ministers. Borrow metaphors from films & books
METHOD AGNOSTIC
On paper, I am a mixed methods researcher with a qualitative depth In reality, I do whatever it takes to gather, triangulate and make them sing. Also, not every question needs research; sometimes its reframing past work & connecting efforts
CONNECT
REGIONAL BROKERING
Frequent go-between global vs. regional, finding scalable product-market fit. Deep knowledge of SE Asia lifestyles; build warm ties with in-market colleagues from hub
SYSTEMS APPROACH
See tradeoffs & interdependencies when solving for problem X. Being an ex-practitioner in policy, brand, biz dev helps me draw cross-function lines in a sprawling org
TEAM SAFETY
Senior IC that is starting to build teams. Priorities are to lead with clarity & fairness, structured feedback, humour and kindness, meeting pp in their paradigms
“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious.
Not waiting for inspiration's shove
or society's kiss on your forehead.
Pay attention. It's all about paying attention.
Attention is vitality. It connects you with others.
It makes you eager. Stay eager.”
SUSAN SONTAG