The McCrindle Blog

Our recent release, Top Leadership Styles and Characteristics, has attracted an array of media flurry, featuring in The Australian, The Herald Sun, 612 ABC Brisbane, Leading Company, and HC Magazine. 

In our research, 38% of Australians stated that leadership and management determine the outcomes of whether a business grows and flourishes or struggles and declines.

Visit our blog or click below for the full report on the Top Leadership Styles and Characteristics:

For a more comprehensive look at McCrindle Research in the media, click here to go to our Media page.

What Australians look for in their boss The Australian	Flourishing or struggling: Ideal Leaders 612 ABC Brisbane
Screw 'inspirational,' workers prefer competent: study on preferred leadeship traits Leading Company	What makes an ideal leader? HC Magazine

There is an earthy humility in our self-image. In defining Australia, the most mentioned quality in a recent McCrindle study was that this is the land of the “fair go”. For many Australians this is about equality for all and giving everyone a go – 68% define “fair go” as “equality – same rules and benefits for all”.

Additionally, almost one in four (23%) Australians believe that this “fair go” quality is about supporting those in need such as refugees. Our lives are increasingly busy and complex yet our culture is down-to-earth.

As Dan from Victoria mentioned in the research: 

“Where else in the world can you call a complete stranger ‘mate’?” 

While mateship is a term traditionally used among men, its definition is now more inclusive – 70% of Australians agree with the statement that mateship is “helping anyone in need regardless of who they are”. The vast majority of males (80%) as well as females (74%) agree with this statement.

Australia is collaborative rather than individualistic. This teamwork, a mix of mateship and altruism, sets us apart from other cultures. It gives us a sense of belonging to something bigger than the individual, and empowers a “can do” attitude. Ian from Belaire in South Australia states: 

“Australians are legendary for their generosity and ability to collaborate to get things done. We also have a great sense of humour and a larrikin nature that endears us to all.”

Whether at a street, city, state or national level, the Australian spirit unites us, not just to celebrate success, but also to battle adversity. Having experienced diverse and sometimes harsh environments and situations, Australians do not shy away from hardship, but bond together to tackle it.

In the survey, Tim from Camberwell, Victoria, said: 

“What makes Australia great is the way we band together when things get tough.”

The Australian values of mateship and a fair go have often been linked to our convict heritage, the 1850s gold rush, the trenches and battlefields of Gallipoli, our Judeo-Christian roots and, of course, the hardship endured by battlers, shearers and squatters in the harsh Australian bush. As our research shows, even in the 21st century, it’s still the essence of the Australian spirit. While these values are not confined to the Australian community, they are part of our national character and commonly celebrated on national holidays and in Australian literature, poetry and songs.

True stories of great kindness from total strangers can be found in Mark’s book, The Power of Good, available for purchase here.

Research has shown that more than half of Australian workers want to leave their job this year. The main reason for this is 'not being able to grow professionally'.

Social researcher and Research Director of McCrindle Research Claire Madden joins Larry and Kylie on Channel 7's The Morning Show to give us an overview of what we consider the best and worst jobs.

The criteria used in this study examined 200 different vocations and ranked them on factors including salary, environmental, stress, and physical demands.

So while salary plays its role in employee retention, other aspects of a role including workplace culture, work-life balance and opportunities for development are influencers which keep people in their jobs.

Top 5 best jobs

1. Actuary
2. Biomedical engineer
3. Software engineer
4. Audiologist
5. Financial planner

Top 5 worst jobs

1. Newspaper reporter
2. Wood chopper
3. Enlisted military personnel
4. Actor
5. Oil rig worker

At McCrindle Research we are about conducting world class research and communicating the insights in innovative ways. Emerging generations of business leaders are digital, visual, and global in outlook, connecting with information that is presented in compelling ways.

While the last few years have introduced big data to business, the challenge is interpreting the data and communicating the trends and insights effectively so that leaders can make strategic decisions. An infographic can visualise large numbers of data points in an easily accessible format, in the way that a ‘picture tells a thousand words’.

As pioneers in this emerging data visualisation area, and as Australia’s leading research visualisation experts, at McCrindle Research we are able to interpret the key data and present the summarised insights in innovative and visually accessible ways.

Here are our top five keys to worlds-best research visualisation:

1. Creativity
2. Relatability
3. Complexity
4. Simplicity
5. Variety

1. Creativity of style: Clever metaphors, compelling visuals

Click here to download our Australia Street infographic.
Click here to read the Australia Street blog post.
And to watch the animation of Australia Street, click here.

2. Relatability of concept: Easily understood, clearly relevant

Click here to see the Happiness in Australia infographic.
Click here for the Big Australia infographic.

3. Complexity of data: Research rich, statistically robust

Click here to download the Income and Wealth Distribution in Australia infographic.
Click here to download the Australian Population Map.

4. Simplicity of design: Instantly understandable, compellingly readable

Click here to see the Mind the Gap infographic on the difference in salary between males and females.

5. Variety of output: Topically congruent, visual diversity

Click here to watch the Know the Times animation on YouTube.
Email us at info@mccrindle.com.au or give us a call on 1800 TRENDS [1800 873 637] to request some hard copies of our Australia Street A5.

Seven years ago McCrindle Research began in a spare room of Mark and Ruth McCrindle’s house. With a psychology background, market research experience, and a passion to conduct world class research, Mark began the McCrindle Research story. 

Since then we’ve been commissioned by scores of clients, completed hundreds of projects, interviewed thousands of people, analysed hundreds of thousands of online survey responses, and interpreted millions of data points for our demographic summaries. Our research has been disseminated through hundreds of media articles, more than 10,000 of Mark’s books, and more than 100,000 of our acclaimed A5 population maps.

As Australia’s leading data visualisation researchers, our infographics, slide decks, whitepapers and research summaries have been meeting quite a need for world class research and analysis communicated in relevant, innovative ways. Our analytics tells us that they’ve been getting thousands of views and downloads each day. 

So if you are looking to analyse your market, identify consumer segments, understand the demographics, engage with diverse generations, or respond to the emerging trends, then check out our research packs, Mark’s speaking pack or get in contact for a quote. Through commissioned research projects, focus groups and online surveys, demographic reports, strategic workshops, and keynote presentations, we help organisations know the times.

It’s the International Year of Statistics, it’s the month that Australia hits 23 million, and so we got a little ahead of ourselves.

Here’s what Tuesday 23 April 2013 at 9.57pm has in store for you if, like us, you’ll be camped around the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population Clock. And if you are expecting a baby around that time, or awaiting the inbound international flight of a permanently arriving friend, then there is a big chance that you’ll be welcoming Australia’s 23 millionth! This unique individual will have 1 minute and 23 seconds when they will be one in a million (actually one in 23 million!) before they are joined by the next Australian which begins the journey towards 24 million - which will be reached in late 2015.

And while there are 2 weeks to go until the 23,000,000 milestone, we just wanted to give you a sneak peak. But hey, we’re futurists!

Image altered based ABS population data. With thanks to abs.gov.au.

Here are some of our latest media activities. For a more comprehensive look at McCrindle Research in the media, click here to go to our Media page.

	Extra hours don't lead to promotion Social commentator Mark McCrindle said the shrinking importance of time in the office is a sign of the flexibility and teleworking opportunities that exist today. "From Skyping and phone conferences, to emailing on smartphones and working across multiple locations, changing work hours to cut down on travel time, or just general work/life balance expectations - we've seen a big shift in what leaders expect," he said. Click here for the story.
	Australian population jumps by 1028 a day Social commentator Mark McCrindle said the population was growing by 1028 people a day, so the 23-million mark would be reached about Anzac Day (April 25). "When looking at who the 23 millionth person might be, it is more likely it could be a migrant than even a baby," he said. Click here for the story.
	Are good manners dead? Researcher Mark McCrindle said it wasn’t a case of traditional manners simply disappearing, but rather them being replaced by new social rules. "Manners are not set in concrete, we don't operate like they did in 19th century England,'' he said. Click here for the story.
	Louise Simpson celebrates divorce Social researcher Mark McCrindle said the trend towards celebrating divorce reflected a wider change in attitude. "People are thinking, 'rather than be the victim of a situation, I'll embrace it'. And where there's a function, there will be products to match it... Click here for the story.

World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22 March to focus the world’s attention to issues surrounding freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) recommended this international day in 1992, with the first ever World Water Day celebrated exactly two decades ago on 22 March 1993. This year’s theme for World Water Day is cooperation around water – using water as an instrument of peace by promoting an interdisciplinary approach to sharing this precious resource around the globe.

Here at McCrindle Research, we wondered what Australians had to say about water as a resource priority, water costs, and the use of water per Australian individual.

Water: Precious But Over-Priced

Our recent nationwide survey shows that 4 out of every 5 Australians say that the cost of water is too expensive. Australians value water provision, availability and affordability less than they value access to medical care, and more than they value electricity.

Water Views and Values

How does water consumption and cost compare per person across the Australian states and territories? South Australians pay the most for household water bills per person, while Victorians pay the least. In terms of water consumption, individuals in the Northern Territory use the most while individuals in Victoria use the least at just 55kL per person per year (ABS). In terms of water use in the home, Sydneysiders use 27 percent of water outdoors, 24 percent for showers, 20 percent in the laundry, 16 percent for flushing toilets, 10 percent on kitchen and bathroom taps and 3 percent on baths (Sydney Water).

Methodology

This research was conducted by McCrindle Research through a national study of Australians which received 540+ responses (detailed demographics below). Figures on consumption and price reflect household expenditures, not government expenditures, and reflect Urban Distributed water only. Sources: McCrindle Research, ABS Cat. 4610.0, Water Account, Australia, 2010-2011, and Sydney Water.

E-cards are now a common way of sharing Christmas tidings with friends and relatives across the globe. However, despite this option providing a cheap and easy alternative, there is still some angst, with the humble Christmas card in the mail the preferred option. To find out whether e-cards are received with delight or disinterest, McCrindle Research polled 695 Australians on their perspectives.

Click here to download the full Research Summary.

While e-cards seem to be rising in popularity, there are certainly not favoured by the bulk of Australians with just 13% indicating they prefer to receive digital tidings. Instead 2 in 5 said they ‘much preferred’ getting a Christmas card in the mail and 45% believed it “is the thought that counts.”

The younger generations were more comfortable receiving e-cards than the older generations, but there was a clear preference for a mailed card instead. In fact, Generation Y was the most passionate about receiving a real card than the other generations, with 51% strong on their desire to receive a handwritten card, compared to 41% of Gen X, 38% of Boomers and just 40% of Builders.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle said, “There are solid reasons why e-cards are becoming common. Australians are moving more frequently than ever before (on average, every five years) and so tracking the mailing addresses of family and friends is increasingly difficult.”

“Social media means we are increasingly connected– particularly the younger generations. Gen Y has a median of 235 Facebook friends, and with these growing networks, distributing Christmas cards is unmanageable. With so many of our interactions online, sending an e-card is the obvious next step. However, with their bank statements, phone bills and other correspondence taking place online, getting a card in the mail makes it all the more special for this digital generation.”

Click here to download the full Research Summary.

The smartphone has become the one device to rule them all, as a new generation of digital integrators have streamlined their appliances and utilities into the one portable gadget. 

In October 2012, McCrindle Research surveyed 710 Australians and discovered the full extent to which apps have penetrated our world. The dominance of the smartphone as the primary device for the Under 30’s as a clock, alarm, navigation tool, camera and for news updates has been a phenomenon. Keep in mind the smartphone has only been around for 5 years and yet through apps, it has become integrated into our lifestyles, not just as a communications tool, but as an essential tool for many daily tasks.

Click here to download the PDF. 

Meet the Digital Integrators: This research shows that while many of the Baby Boomers own smartphones and use apps, the way they use new technologies is more sequential, structural, linear and practical than the younger generations. The over 40’s can be described as Digital Transactors, using the latest tools to transact, as with any tool, and after the function is performed, putting it back down or replacing an older tool with a newer, more functional one. However the Under 30’s, having been shaped in a digital, wireless, online world, have embedded these tools more into their lifestyles. The technologies are seamlessly integrated into their lives- it has almost become an extension of them, always on, and integrated into all aspects of their life. They are the digital integrators.