Avon case study on insight-led innovation and global product development strategy

A flexible framework for rapid, insight-led innovation

In beauty, things change fast.

Avon was seeking a long-term, flexible, global solution that could continuously guide innovation, marketing and new product development.

With a focus on making fast and informed decisions—that’s where we come in.

The challenge: Keeping pace at breakneck speed

To compete in the ever-evolving world of beauty and stay ahead of the game, Avon needs to innovate constantly, and act quickly on new learnings and opportunities.

So, our brief was clear. We needed to create an ongoing customer closeness and sales rep engagement program that could provide fast, well-informed, continuous recommendations, built from up-to-the-minute insight from across key markets.

Services used

Global consumer insights
Qualitative research
Innovation strategy

The Solution: A system built for speed and substance

This didn’t call for a project. This needed a program.

Project Pulse is a bespoke insight and innovation framework, enabling multiple, fast turnaround, iterative projects across categories.

Each sprint runs for 2-3 weeks from start to finish, comprising multiple waves of testing and development, providing rapid and continuous feedback throughout.

We engage and involve category teams throughout the fieldwork process, with a dedicated onboarding and alignment session, involvement in fieldwork, and collaborative iteration sessions to progress the concepts between waves.

Basis is my absolute favorite strategic partner!

They have a very strong team of insightful strategic thinkers, who not only flawlessly execute all projects, but consistently provide strategic guidance and recommendations above and beyond the call of duty.

Yvonne Montanino Global insights, Avon

The impact: Introducing agility to innovation

Project Pulse continuously informs and shapes Avon’s work across global innovation, marketing and NPD. By bringing teams along on the innovation journey, we enable Avon to assimilate and act on learnings rapidly.

Recommendations from Project Pulse have been used to optimise major global campaign launches. And based on our ongoing relationship, Basis has presented at Avon’s annual brand leadership conference.

Looking ahead: A long-term innovation engine

With Project Pulse in pace, Avon now has a sustainable, always-ready, insight-led system for rapid decision-making.

Whatever the challenge, whatever the opportunity, they’re ready.

I can always rely on Basis to provide extremely high-quality collaboration and deliverables.

Yvonne Montanino Global insights, Avon

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