#117 - Understanding Growth Research with Carlos Tellez of Nubank

#117 - Understanding Growth Research with Carlos Tellez of Nubank

Author: User Interviews February 15, 2023 Duration: 41:24

Erin May, John Henry Forster, and Carlos Tellez, Growth Research Manager at Nubank, get to the bottom of growth research. This episode is focused on two of Erin's favorite things – optimization and research. They discuss how research informs growth teams as Carlos describes the moving parts involved in the research process. Listen to hear what Carlos loves the most about his job, the scope of growth research, research design methods, tools, and tactics.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • The value and impact of growth research
  • Key differences between growth research and product research
  • Research workflows and the dynamics of working relationships
  • Research methodologies, tactics, and toolkits

Highlights:

  • [00:01:08] What is growth research? What is platform research?
  • [00:06:52] One big difference between growth research and product research
  • [00:12:07] How does growth research "operate within the growth context"?
  • [00:09:39] Support from leadership and the value of research in the context of growth
  • [00:15:18] Carlos shares Nubank's approach to qualitative research
  • [00:18:34] Carlos details his team's creative approach to data collection
  • [00:28:41] Tactics for identifying the impact of research
  • [00:28:41 Triangulation is a requirement of UX research; it's also the trickiest part to get right

Sources mentioned in the episode:

About our guest

Carlos Tellez is a digital strategist, UX researcher, service designer, and education enthusiast. Currently, he is the UX Research Manager at Nubank. Much of his work is focused on creating effective research teams and advancing the field of UX research. Carlos has a Master's degree in Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Vassar College.


Awkward Silences is a conversation about the human side of building things. Hosts Erin May and Carol Guest, both VPs at User Interviews, don't just talk about theory-they get into the messy, real-world practice of talking to users and making sense of what they say. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the craft of user research, featuring candid chats with the practitioners who do this work every day. You'll hear stories about navigating tricky interviews, the weight of interpreting qualitative data, and how genuine understanding directly shapes better products and smarter business decisions. This isn't a dry lecture; it's a geeky, relatable dive into the questions and quiet moments that define UX research. The Awkward Silences podcast lives in the intersection of technology and business, focusing on the people and processes that connect them. Listen for practical insights, empathetic strategies, and the occasional shared laugh about the inevitable fumbles that come with trying to understand anyone. It’s for anyone who believes that building effectively starts with listening well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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