Episode 3 – Madelaine’s take on B2B thought leadership

A beautiful mind: What it really takes to be a true thought leader in B2B
With Madelaine Oppert
VP of Marketing at iResearch Services
Also joined by Skout’s Director, Claire Lamb

Episode Overview

Is B2B thought leadership just another overused term—or a genuine way to drive long-term brand trust and credibility? In this episode of Shaking the B2B Tree, we explore what true thought leadership looks like, how to build it properly, and why data is your most powerful tool.

Madelaine Oppert, VP of Marketing at iResearch Services, shares her insights on creating thought leadership that goes beyond fluffy opinions and starts with something more substantial—credible data, clear purpose and emotional relevance. She explores how brands can build authority by offering something genuinely new to their audience, and why activation matters just as much as insight.

From the importance of robust survey design to storytelling that hits both head and heart, Madelaine’s take is a sharp, honest reminder that thought leadership isn’t about saying something—it’s about saying something worth hearing.

Key Takeaways

Research is the foundation of real thought leadership - Real thought leadership starts with solid research, not assumptions or opinions.
The power of storytelling alongside data - Storytelling is just as important as data - emotion drives connection and recall.
Test ideas before full investment - Testing ideas before investing in them avoids wasted effort and content for content’s sake.
Not every brand needs to be a thought leader - Sometimes it’s enough to be a thought contributor.
Understanding the long-term nature of ROI - ROI matters, but it’s rarely instant. Measuring the wider impact is part of the long game.

Thought leadership is not a sales pitch—it's about building brand equity, awareness and trust.

Mentioned in This Episode

📌 Podcast recommendation: The Mel Robbins Podcast – Practical advice on improving life and mindset
📌 Thought leadership inspiration: Thought Leadership for Tomorrow – iResearch Services' flagship event
📌 Book: The ROI of Thought Leadership by Cindy Anderson and Anthony Marshall – Measuring the value of insight-driven content

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