Unlocking your UX superpowers to lead and build influence

Insights Unlocked

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4gFlEVz

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs chats with Kuldeep Kelkar, partner at UXReactor, seasoned UX researcher, and author of Strengthen Your User Research Superpowers. Kuldeep shares his journey through 25+ years in user research, his experiences shaping the industry, and how his new book is designed to empower researchers to amplify their influence within organizations.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The evolution of user research from a niche function to a critical part of product development.
• Key challenges faced by UX researchers, including gaining influence, communicating value, and driving business impact.
• How Kuldeep’s book provides practical, actionable skills in the form of "superpowers" to help researchers navigate these challenges.
• Why addressing sample size questions can be an opportunity to educate and build credibility.

Highlights:

• Kuldeep’s Career Journey: From being one of the first researchers at PayPal in 2004 to his leadership role at UX Reactor.
• About the Book: Kuldeep’s book is structured like a deck of 52 cards, each focused on strengthening specific "superpowers" researchers need to succeed.
• Favorite Superpower: Learn why "sample size" is a topic Kuldeep now approaches with confidence and excitement.
• AI in UX Research: Insights into how AI tools like ChatGPT are being integrated into research and design processes, and the current limitations of AI-driven efficiencies.
• Industry Trends: Discover how budget constraints and resource cuts are influencing organizations’ approaches to UX and the growing demand for outsourced expertise.
• Customer Feedback in Action: A surprising story of how Kuldeep’s advice helped a client rethink usability testing timelines.

Rapid-Fire Fun:

• Kuldeep shares his favorite word ("research"), a dream career (astrophysicist), and what role he’d take in a restaurant (chef—despite not cooking!).

Memorable Quote:

"The biggest challenge for researchers isn’t conducting research—it’s gaining influence and driving outcomes within their organizations." – Kuldeep Kelkar