Our Critical Thinking for Marketers workshop
Many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices
- William James
In a world drowning in data and awash with bullshit, critical thinking just might be the most important skill marketers need.
In this workshop Carl Davidson will draw from behavioural science and cognitive psychology to demonstrate some of the flaws in our everyday ways of thinking, and provide some tools to sharpen your critical thinking and problem solving mindset.
In the process, you’ll see why critical thinking is rare (it’s much harder than you’d expect) and why most organisations make it much harder still.
You’ll learn why we’re all wired to think like lawyers rather than scientists, and why David Ogilvy was right about how evidence gets misused.
The workshop will then introduce a range of tools to unleash your critical thinking, nurture your scepticism, and supercharge your decision-making acumen.
It will benefit anyone with an interest in improving their thinking and decision-making skills, or in improving those skills among the people they work with. If you work with knowledge on a daily basis then this is the workshop for you.
Online Course structure
This workshop is also offered in an online format. An 1.5-hour live session will be held once each week over 4 weeks. The facilitator will present that week's topic live online with other participants. There will also be activities and resources to support your learning.
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Pricing
In-person workshop
MA Members: $650 + GST
Non-Members: $950 + GST
Online workshop
MA Members: $595 + GST
Non-Members: $895 + GST
Special rates available for students*, registered charities and multiple bookings. Contact us.
This is a core course to become a
Professionally Certified Strategic Marketer
Part four: Channeling socrates - and borrowing and borrowing his critical thinking toolkit
- Scientific thinking, hypotheses, and falsification
- How to build a compelling argument by thinking about counterfactuals
- Making sure you’ve identified the right problem
- How to ask the right question
- Establishing the burden of proof
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Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Natoque penatibus et magni
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Natoque penatibus et magni
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Natoque penatibus et magni
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Nam sagittis gravida ex, nec pharetra libero dictum nec. Pellentesque ut sollicitudin turpis. Quisque id nisi imperdiet, commodo odio id, elementum nibh. Nullam consectetur a odio non feugiat. Integer a elementum sem.
Critical Thinking for Marketers
In this workshop Carl Davidson will draw from behavioural science and cognitive psychology to demonstrate some of the flaws in our everyday ways of thinking, and provide some tools to sharpen your critical thinking and problem solving mindset | Dates: March 3, 10, 17 & 24.
03/03/2026
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Online
Critical Thinking for Marketers
In this workshop Carl Davidson will draw from behavioural science and cognitive psychology to demonstrate some of the flaws in our everyday ways of thinking, and provide some tools to sharpen your critical thinking and problem solving mindset.
27/05/2026
9:00am - 5:00pm
Auckland
Critical Thinking for Marketers
In this workshop Carl Davidson will draw from behavioural science and cognitive psychology to demonstrate some of the flaws in our everyday ways of thinking, and provide some tools to sharpen your critical thinking and problem solving mindset | Dates: September 8, 15, 22 & 29.
08/09/2026
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Online
Critical Thinking for Marketers
In this workshop Carl Davidson will draw from behavioural science and cognitive psychology to demonstrate some of the flaws in our everyday ways of thinking, and provide some tools to sharpen your critical thinking and problem solving mindset.
10/11/2026
9:00am - 5:00pm
Auckland
Facilitator, Carl Davidson
Chief Curiosity Officer, The Curiosity Company
Social scientist. Insight strategist.
Carl is a psychologist by training, his professional life has been spent at the interface of behavioural science, organisational performance, and business strategy.
FIND OUT MOREFacilitator, Carl Davidson
Chief Curiosity Officer, The Curiosity Company
Social scientist. Insight strategist.
Carl has spent more than 30 years exploring how everyday behaviour, cultural change, and data intersect to shape smarter strategies. His career bridges academia, government policy, and commercial insights, bringing a rare blend of rigorous social science and practical business acumen.
In 1999, Carl co-founded No Doubt Research Ltd, one of New Zealand’s first insight agencies to combine social science, knowledge management, and business strategy. By 2006, he launched Research First Ltd, where as Head of Insight he grew the firm into one of New Zealand’s most respected insight agencies.
After nearly two decades at Research First, global funding shifts and pandemic disruptions prompted a reset. In 2025, Carl teamed up with Ann Thompson to launch The Curiosity Company, a space for bold thinking, qualitative depth, and insights that go beyond the numbers.
Carl is the author or editor of ten books on research practice and evidence-based decision-making. He’s passionate about decoding human behaviour and cultural trends, and yes, he’s known for the occasional quirky observation that makes you see the world differently.
Facilitator, Jonathan Dodd
Research Account Manager, Truwind
Jonathan brings over 25 years of industry experience to Truwind. He holds a Master's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Waikato and is a Fellow of the Research Association of New Zealand.
FIND OUT MOREFacilitator, Jonathan Dodd
Research Account Manager, Truwind
Jonathan brings over 25 years of industry experience to Truwind. He holds a Master's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Waikato and is a Fellow of the Research Association of New Zealand. Jonathan has worked across a wide range of sectors, methodologies and techniques; excelling in the complex intersection of society, psychology and client objectives.
His strengths lie in behavioural science, branding and social-good causes. He has presented at many conferences over the years, covering subjects as diverse as the fallibility of memory, hypnosis in market research, digital semiotics and trends of rural marketing. He has facilitated market research seminars for the Marketing Association since the early 2000's.
Loved all the interactive activities, feels like I have walked out with a different brain! Carl is excellent! Loved the session!
past attendee 2024
Absolutely loved this workshop - content, flow, delivery. So interesting.
past attendee 2024
Carl is a fantastic, engaging presenter who is an expert in his field. He maintains a good pace throughout the course and keeps the topic interesting!
past attendee 2024
Great content and engaging, was a long day but the speaker structured it well and also allowed us to take more breaks in the afternoon to help keep us engaged.
past attendee 2024
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