What We Do Not Do In Audit

Research, just like life, can have many paths. It is not our job to

• Decide that they could have taken a better path.
  • While there might be better ways to get to the answer, the most important part is, did they get to the answer?
  • You are on this team because you are some of the best analysts that Wonder has to offer. You have worked hard to earn this spot, so it makes sense that you might know a better way to do the research or be able to provide a request that is so comprehensive that the client is amazed at the value. Often, you will have to step back and put yourself in the shoes of the average analyst. Your standards, while exceptional, are not always going to be the standards that every analyst adheres to.
  • When you find something you are concerned about, feel free to share the trend or the great approach, source, etc., so we can share it with the whole team!
• Decide that a different source would have been a better option.
  • Again, all that matters is that the source is relevant, credible, and not outdated.
• Not audit a request correctly because we thought it was hard, or we know the analyst, or disagree with how the RCs were written.
  • If analysts do not receive timely feedback, they can not improve. This makes our job and theirs much harder than it needs to be.
  • If there is something you are concerned with, please feel free to leave a message in the Audit channel.

Audit Process

While there is no exact way to Audit, we always check the Key Takeaways, Introduction, then Research Strategy first; then we move on to the findings. Some auditors prefer to start with the Key Takeaways first, while others prefer the Introduction. We do this because if we find issues with these sections, it lets us know we need to take a closer look. In almost all instances, if there is an issue with the research, these three sections will clue us into what they are.

Once you become proficient in the process, you will be able to complete an audit quickly and efficiently. Be patient with yourself; you will get quicker as you get more familiar with the process. Remember the first research job you did and how much time it took?

Remember, our research is our brand. It is imperative that we send research to the client that is not only valuable but professional.

Make a list of the RCs and Any Other Requirements

Take a minute or two to note, on paper or either in a doc, what the research criteria are, along with other special requirements, like using certain dates, avoiding certain sources, etc.

We put them on paper because once we get to the findings, it lets us quickly and easily ensure we covered all the necessary components of the research.

Check the Summary

Summaries should be relevant and answer the client’s question directly. Summaries are 1 - 2 short paragraphs, providing an outline of your research and a high-level overview of your findings. They can be as simple as:

<aside> 💡 We have provided the top 10 dog breeds in the US. For each breed, we have provided the description, size, and personality of the dog.

</aside>

Check the Creative Solutions