Wouter Samyn

Makes a difference by…

Combining a pragmatic view on research with a focus on high quality visual presentation of results. My broad experience in statistics allows me to indentify needed insights and depth of analysis. You will find me a very happy man if I have used a complex statistical analysis and presented it to you in such way that you can understand your business better.

Wants to make a difference in…

I strongly believe in the power of research. However, sometimes decent research gets lost and does not deliver on action points. In my career I have always strived to deliver results that make a difference. By doing this, it is my ambition to direct governance and other stakeholders towards decisions that matter for citizens or consumers.

Made a difference together with…

I’ll have to say a project for ‘De Lijn’ where we researched which people in which areas needed extra bus lines in certain regions. This study definitely had an impact for people and therefore is number 1 on my list. The study delivered on actionable results and made a change in the way De Lijn used its resources to service people that needed public transportation. Another project that is etched in my memory is a project for DAV, where we investigated the administrative burden of paperwork for the Belgian customs department. The study led into a participation project between customs and companies, determining what could be improved on the process.

Toughest difference to make…

In one of my presentations for a garden centre together with a PR-agency, the PR-agent had the fantastic idea to let me present both in French and in Dutch (since there was a mixed audience). The idea was to alternate Dutch and French slides, and to do the Dutch slides with a French voice-over and vice versa. It seemed like a perfect idea at the time for me. However, it resulted in spending the whole evening before studying my French vocabulary on “Le Jardin” (the garden). Little did I know that I had to know every garden utensil in French. The presentation resulted in very confusing situations where I had to switch languages all the time. The French journalist that asked a question in Dutch on a French slide, did not help either!