How to Turn Research Results Into Stakeholder-Ready Recommendations

July 16, 2025

4 minutes

Written by

Catalin Antonescu

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stakeholder-ready recommendations

research reporting

turning data into insights

actionable market research

how to present research findings

The real value of market research isn’t in the charts, data tables, or verbatim quotes—it’s in what your organization does next.

Yet too often, research reports end up as internal documents no one reads beyond the executive summary. The problem? While the data may be accurate and even rich, it’s not actionable—because it hasn’t been translated into clear, stakeholder-ready recommendations.

At DataDiggers, we believe the true power of research lies in bridging the gap between insight and action. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to turn even the most complex research findings into focused, decision-driving takeaways for your internal teams.

Why This Step Is So Often Missed

It’s not a lack of data. Today, most research projects generate an abundance of it.

The real challenge lies in the handoff—between researchers and business stakeholders. Researchers are trained to analyze, while decision-makers want clarity, direction, and confidence. Without a structured approach to turning data into business language, findings lose traction.

Stakeholder-ready recommendations don’t just summarize results—they interpret them, tie them to business goals, and propose next steps.

The Three-Layer Model: From Data to Direction

We use a simple but powerful three-layer model at DataDiggers when guiding clients from results to recommendations:

1. Facts – What does the data say?

This is the descriptive layer. It includes top-level statistics, trends, or themes uncovered during the research.

Example: 62% of Gen Z users consider environmental impact a key factor when choosing a skincare brand.

2. Insights – Why does this matter?

This layer interprets the facts in context. It connects findings with behavioral patterns, consumer psychology, or market shifts.

Interpretation: Sustainability is not just a messaging hook—it’s now a core value driver for this audience.

3. Recommendations – What should we do next?

The final—and most important—layer translates insight into action. It answers: What’s the commercial opportunity or risk? What change or decision does this insight support?

Recommendation: Refocus upcoming campaign messaging on your brand’s eco-initiatives. Consider product packaging that reflects sustainability values more clearly.

What Makes a Recommendation “Stakeholder-Ready”?

To resonate with decision-makers, recommendations should be:

✅ Business-aligned

Tie each recommendation to an actual business objective—growth, retention, positioning, product fit, etc.

✅ Prioritized

Rank recommendations by impact and feasibility. If everything is “important,” nothing stands out.

✅ Evidence-based

Support each recommendation with a concise insight or data point. Keep it credible and easy to trace.

✅ Clear and action-oriented

Avoid passive phrasing like “consider exploring…” when you really mean “test messaging X in next campaign.”

✅ Formatted for consumption

Stakeholders are busy. Use visual cues (icons, bold headers), and limit each recommendation to 2–3 sentences max.

Tools That Help You Get There

Brainactive, our DIY platform, helps researchers not only collect and analyze data, but also build automated, presentation-ready reports with smart filtering, word clouds, and visuals. This enables faster transition from raw data to story-driven recommendations.

And if you're working with Syntheo, our AI-driven synthetic persona tool, you can bring findings to life with digital narratives—helping stakeholders visualize consumer realities and decisions more easily.

Bringing Stakeholders Into the Process

One of the best ways to ensure your recommendations stick is to involve key stakeholders early in the research process. Ask them:

  • What decisions are you trying to make?
  • What will make this research useful for you?
  • How do you typically share findings internally?

When you build recommendations around their needs—not just the data—you increase adoption and value.

A Simple Template You Can Use

Try this structure in your next research report or presentation:

Slide Title: “What We Recommend”
Format:

  • Finding: [Short summary of relevant data]
  • Insight: [What it means]
  • Recommendation: [What to do about it]

Repeat this format for your top 3–5 insights to keep it focused and actionable.

At DataDiggers, We Build for Action

Our approach is grounded in the belief that data is only valuable when it moves your business forward. Whether through our proprietary research services, DIY platform, or synthetic insight engines, we help clients cut through the noise and zero in on what matters most.

From the first question to the final recommendation, we’re with you at every step—ensuring that your research investment doesn’t just inform, but transforms.

Ready to Make Your Next Report Actionable?

If you’re sitting on data that hasn’t yet led to decisions, it’s time to rethink how insights are being translated. Let us help you connect the dots—and deliver recommendations your stakeholders will actually use.

Reach out to DataDiggers today and turn your next study into a decision-making catalyst.

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