Related Articles
If you want to foster a culture of innovation, then you must encourage scientific creativity and idea exploration. The easiest way to do that for a business is to increase the team’s access to researchers and scientists. Beyond fostering a culture of innovation, having science advisors can offer a range of benefits and opportunities. For example, science advisors are often great to have on hand for informing conversations with investors or regulators, informing content for media, marketing, and public relations. Perhaps, most intriguing for start-ups are funding opportunities such as grants that PhDs can bring to the table. Small business grants from the federal government represent a significant source of non-dilutive funding for small businesses.
Scientists are professional “gut checkers,” providing analysis and synthesis of new information. Simply ask a science advisor, “What are you interested in these days?” This will lead to perspectives on new subjects and staying up to date in your field. You’ll get exposed to data, studies, insights into conferences and research opportunities. A great use of an advisor is having them share their insights on a recently published article. In my experience, a positive story about science can boost morale on a long zoom call.
Perhaps you are thinking, “Well…my field is not a scientific field, what possible use could I have for this PhD person?” Scientific training fosters a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability. Scientists are accustomed to exploring new ideas, embracing change and adjusting their strategies based on evidence. This adaptability can help non-scientific industries navigate rapidly evolving markets and embrace emerging technologies.
Below are a few examples of the involvement of advisors in various industries, both scientific and non-scientific. Science also helps us understand the world, which supports shaping it. Science is persistence in understanding any topic.
Typically, scientists are known to play a crucial role in developing innovative pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, devices, electric vehicles — often as 3rd parties or small startups. They contribute to advancements in healthcare technology, improving outcomes and revolutionizing their industries. Data science is perhaps where the greatest need is right now.
Every industry is dealing with the collection of huge amounts of data, but especially the financial sector. Financial institutions employ data scientists to analyze vast amounts of financial data, identify patterns and develop predictive models. A scientific approach to behavioral economics can assist designers in leveraging psychological biases and nudges to influence user behavior, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
In marketing and graphic design, the knowledge about how the human brain works is applied to just about everything. For example, data from eye-tracking studies have improved website content and customer engagement.Specifically for graphic designers, there are fields of study and scientific literature devoted to color psychology, scientific principles for user-centered approaches and data-driven insights. This can lead to more effective and visually appealing designs that resonate with target audiences while meeting usability and accessibility standards. Likewise, marketers can leverage scientific insights to create more targeted, impactful and responsible marketing strategies that resonate with their target audience.
Hiring scientists in non-scientific industries can bring several benefits from leveraging scientific expertise for success — this includes problem-solving and critical thinking. Scientists are trained to think analytically and approach problems systematically. Their ability to analyze data, identify patterns and propose innovative solutions can greatly benefit non-scientific industries that face complex challenges.
The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?
Data analysis and interpretation are skills that are essential for surviving basic training during the early stages of a research career. For a biologist, graduate school is often steeped in training for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. They can apply their statistical techniques used to interpret data for insights into business decisions. This expertise can help companies optimize operations, improve efficiency and identify emerging market trends. Scientists excel in research and development, which can be valuable for industries seeking innovation and product improvement.
For example, how would you know if a data point, such as a specific customer complaint, was raising an important signal or if a social media campaign was having a significant impact? If you have a science background, significance is a well-defined measurement. Scientists can tease apart a random event, from something that is or was systematic and deliberate. We applaud the popularization of scientific prowess (such as those trained in the application of observation and mathematics) in crime and forensic stories.
In closing, I’d like to offer a few tips about working with science advisors. Let’s pretend you just hired someone with a scientific background as an advisor. What next?
1. Encourage the advisor to write, edit and publish articles in your field.
There is a saying in academia: “publish or perish.” Your typical researcher is a latent prolific writer, and scientific writing is often about telling stories about seemingly unconnected things. A company can leverage those skills to create content for a variety of platforms
2. Consider supporting the advisor’s participation in standards development.
Whatever your field is, there are standards being developed or updated. Their participation in a standards group can inform you about where regulations are headed and what the most pressing challenges of an industry are. There are plenty of standards development organizations to choose from; ASTM is probably one of the most well-known.
3. Have the advisor attend a company meeting and present for five to 10 minutes.
There is no shortage of complex ideas, and a science advisor should be able to break them down into digestible bits. A simple way to engage and get utility from a science advisor is to ask them to present a recent scientific article and answer questions from the project group. For example, if you are using music in your marketing or graphics, it might be helpful to have someone break down the latest findings about predicting music-induced emotions.
There are plenty more options, and your science advisor could even give you ideas on how best to utilize their expertise. Above all: Listen to and heed the words of the scientist you hire.
