I've always been motivated by the idea that we can know better: we don't have to make decisions based on assumptions, hearsay, and "what everybody knows". That's why I went into social science, and later, market research - because we do have tools like surveys, statistics, and focus groups to know better.All the numbers in the world mean nothing if they can't be explained. Everyone in this business calls themselves a storyteller, but even in the traditional sense of the word, a storyteller can mean anyone from Henry James to Mother Goose. I'm proud of finding out what my audience's preferences are - and sometimes even giving them the tools to investigate and explore data at their own pace.The biggest lesson I've learned from my eleven-year career is you can't do it alone. It's more important to be a team player than a star player. I enjoy collaborating with researcher colleagues, but I make genuine connections with clients and suppliers. After all, market research is driven by human behaviour. Plus, every August, I switch from "client service" to "customer service" mode by volunteering at the National Bank Open tennis tournament, interacting with excited fans from around the world at the most prestigious pro event on Canadian soil.In summary: I occupy the place on the Venn diagram where being good with numbers, words, and people overlap.