Behavioral science isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a powerful tool that helps businesses understand the “why” behind consumer decisions. During the pre-planning phase, typically in Q3, teams are gathering data and insights that will influence strategic planning for Q4 and the year ahead. This is the perfect time to introduce behavioral science into your research mix to ensure your strategies align with how people actually think, feel, and behave – not just what they say they’ll do.

The missing link: Bridging data and behavior

Traditional market research provides valuable data points – metrics, preferences, usage patterns. Behavioral science goes a step further by uncovering the drivers behind those actions. What unconscious habits guide purchasing? Which emotions influence loyalty? Why do consumers abandon certain products even when they meet their functional needs?

How behavioral science strengthens pre-planning insights

Bringing in behavioral research early allows you to:

• Pinpoint psychological drivers: Understand the values, biases, and mental shortcuts that guide consumer behavior.
• Reveal hidden motivations: Go beyond surface-level responses to uncover what truly influences decisions.
• Test future-facing strategies: Anticipate how customers might react to new product offerings or messaging before investing in full-scale plans.

For example, a fictional CPG brand tested several packaging designs during Q3. While traditional surveys showed strong approval across the board, behavioral scientists discovered that subtle visual cues in one design triggered assumptions about product quality. Acting on this insight, the brand updated the packaging and ultimately saw increased sales in Q4. This type of behavioral insight often doesn’t emerge through standard quantitative or qualitative approaches alone – timing and the right expertise are key.

Better insights now, stronger strategy later

Pre-planning isn’t just about gathering information – it’s about collecting the right kind of insights that will lead to better decisions during your formal strategy phase. Behavioral science ensures that your planning is grounded in how people actually behave, not how they claim they might behave in a survey setting. That’s a game changer for effective strategic planning.

Timing matters when it comes to making the most of behavioral science in your strategic planning cycle. Bring in the expert too late, and you risk missing opportunities to deeply integrate insights into your decision-making. Too early – before there's clarity on your pre-planning goals – and their value may not be maximized. So, when’s the sweet spot?

Q3: The ideal entry point for behavioral science support

Pre-planning season, specifically Q3, is the perfect time to engage a behavioral science professional. At this stage, your organization is likely identifying business priorities, uncovering white space, and assessing the market landscape. You are still flexible – and that’s exactly when behavioral insights can shape direction most effectively.

By bringing in an expert now, you give them time to:

• Collaborate with your teams on scoping key research questions
• Help design studies that explore deep-rooted behavioral drivers
• Analyze existing data through a behavioral lens
• Share strategic recommendations before decisions are locked in

How early is too early?

If your organization is still uncertain about which areas to prioritize – or you're not yet thinking about Q4 initiatives – a full behavioral research engagement may be premature. However, even at early stages, a conversation with an expert can help shape your focus and align stakeholders. The goal is to ensure you’re not simply validating assumptions, but uncovering the key consumer behavior themes that can drive planning.

Why acting fast gives you an edge

Hiring an in-house behavioral science expert or onboarding a traditional agency can take months. By the time a plan is in motion, you may have missed your pre-planning window. This is where SIVO’s On Demand Talent model makes a difference.

On Demand Talent connects organizations with highly experienced behavioral science professionals who can begin contributing in days or weeks – not months. These experts understand business needs, fit seamlessly into existing insights teams, and can accelerate your planning timeline without requiring a long-term headcount commitment. It’s a strategic, nimble way to enrich your Q3 planning with the behavioral research you need – right when you need it.

In short, if you're starting to think, "We need better consumer behavior research for upcoming strategies," now is the right time to act. Waiting until Q4 is often too late to influence how decisions are made. Bringing in a behavioral science expert during Q3 ensures your plan is deeply rooted in actionable, human-centered insights – from the very beginning.

When building your insights pre-planning strategy, finding the right behavioral science expert can be the difference between assumptions and action-worthy data. But if you're new to market research or have never brought in behavioral science support, how do you know what to look for? Whether you're evaluating On Demand Talent or vetting a new team member, it helps to understand the core traits and qualifications that make these professionals stand out.

Strong Foundation in Psychology and Behavioral Economics

At the heart of behavioral science is a deep understanding of how people think, feel, and act – and why they act that way. Look for candidates with academic or applied backgrounds in:

• Psychology (particularly cognitive, social, or consumer psychology)
• Behavioral economics or decision sciences
• Anthropology or sociology (for broader contextual understanding)

This expertise allows behavioral scientists to interpret consumer behavior through the lens of real-world decision-making rather than relying on surface-level responses.

Applied Research Experience in Market Contexts

Knowing theory is crucial – but applying that knowledge to real-world business challenges is what unlocks strategic value. A quality behavioral science professional will have experience conducting research within commercial or organizational settings. This includes:

• Designing behavioral research studies that support marketing campaigns or brand strategy
• Translating data from experiments, interviews, or observational studies into clear insights
• Identifying psychological drivers behind consumer choices and friction points

For example, a fictional CPG company preparing for Q4 may work with a behavioral science expert to explore why shoppers default to certain routines even when new promotions are introduced. The professional might use behavioral mapping or implicit measurement tools to uncover decision drivers that wouldn’t emerge in a typical focus group.

Soft Skills and Business Acumen

While technical skills are essential, a strong behavioral science partner should also understand stakeholder needs and communicate insights effectively. Key soft skills include:

• Clear communication – simplifying complex behavioral concepts for decision-making teams
• Collaborative mindset – working seamlessly with marketing, product, or HR teams
• Problem-solving – able to uncover unmet needs or biases that may not show up on a traditional survey

The behavioral science professional you choose should feel like a strategic thought partner, not just an academic contributor. Those with previous experience supporting consumer insights or strategic planning are especially well suited to join during the Q3 pre-planning window.

Alignment with Your Business Questions

Finally, look for a professional who can tailor their approach to support your unique business needs. Whether uncovering consumer psychology behind loyalty, understanding friction in digital conversion, or guiding experiences that shift behavior – choose someone who connects insights to action.

If you're seeking behavioral science expertise for pre-planning but don’t need a full-time hire, you might be wondering whether a freelancer or another flexible staffing option is best. While freelance marketplaces have become increasingly popular, many organizations find themselves facing mixed results when hiring for high-impact roles like behavioral science. That’s where On Demand Talent from SIVO offers a more reliable, strategic fit.

Freelancers: Flexible But Inconsistent

Freelancers can offer cost-effective and quick-turnaround options, especially for routine or tactical tasks. But when it comes to deep research, strategic input, or working across teams, the experience can vary. Many businesses report challenges such as:

• Inconsistent quality across behavioral science freelancers
• Limited ability to integrate into ongoing teams or multi-phase initiatives
• Time spent vetting and managing multiple freelancers without in-house behavioral science expertise
• Gaps in industry experience or domain familiarity

For example, if you're preparing Q4 campaigns and want help understanding behavioral triggers in messaging, a random freelancer may lack the contextual knowledge or industry fluency to provide immediately actionable insights.

On Demand Talent: Embedded Experts Ready to Contribute

With On Demand Talent, you're not just getting a freelancer – you're gaining access to vetted, experienced behavioral science professionals who know how to operate in corporate environments. Our experts are:

• Pre-vetted for strong market research and behavioral expertise
• Capable of quickly embedding into current teams and workflows
• Matched to your specific industry or challenge for immediate impact
• Ready to provide both strategic guidance and execution support

Where a typical behavioral science freelancer might need extra onboarding, On Demand Talent are professionals who hit the ground running – often producing value in your Q3 planning window without long ramp-up times.

Strategic Fit for Insights Planning Seasons

Q3 is a critical time to influence Q4 planning. It’s when behavioral insights can help shift messaging, product positioning, or customer strategy before launch windows hit. With On Demand Talent, you have the flexibility to bring in behavioral science expertise exactly when you need it, without the delays of hiring or agency onboarding processes.

For organizations needing fast, insightful, and strategic research input, On Demand Talent is typically a stronger fit than freelance alternatives – especially during pivotal pre-planning windows where delays can cost momentum.

So you’ve decided you want behavioral science expertise to inform your Q3 planning. But how do you actually find the right specialist fast – especially if you don’t have time for a months-long hiring process?

Start by Defining the Business Problem You Need to Solve

Before searching for a behavioral science professional, clarify what role this expertise will play in your planning. Are you looking to:

• Understand consumer decision-making around a product or campaign?
• Identify barriers to behavior change among your target audience?
• Test behavioral concepts that could guide messaging or innovation?

The more clarity you have, the easier it is to find someone with the right focus.

Use Networks That Specialize in Insights Expertise

Traditional freelance platforms may not give you access to behavioral science professionals with market research experience. Instead, tap into industry-specialized networks like SIVO’s On Demand Talent. Our professionals have:

• Strategic planning experience in real business contexts
• Behavioral research skills you can mobilize quickly
• Relevant backgrounds across industries – from CPG and healthcare to financial services and tech

Instead of spending weeks vetting individuals, our matching process quickly connects you to experts who align with your business goals and timeline – often within days.

Prioritize Fit, Not Just Function

Speed is important during pre-planning, but so is alignment. Look for professionals who can blend seamlessly into your planning rhythm. This includes:

• Clear communication and collaboration skills
• The ability to operate independently as well as with research teams
• Adaptability across projects and departments

Our On Demand Talent experts are hired not just for their technical competence, but for their ability to partner inside organizations and quickly add value.

Leverage Pre-Planning Momentum

With Q4 planning just around the corner, the earlier you engage behavioral science support, the more value you can tap from behavioral insights. Waiting until planning is underway can limit your ability to test, iterate, or even identify the right problems to solve. Acting during Q3 – the pre-planning stage – gives you time to build insight, not just respond to planning needs.

Whether you need someone to lead a behavioral deep dive, advise on messaging, or support broader consumer behavior research, finding behavioral experts through solutions like On Demand Talent offers a faster, more strategic path than hiring or outsourcing projects to an unfamiliar freelancer.