Current Forward + Zoom: A New Leadership Framework | Current Forward Insights [Skip to main content](#main-content) [What we do](/what-we-do) [Contact](/contact) [About](/about) [Insights](/insights) [Start your project](/contact) [←Back to Insights](/insights) # Current Forward + Zoom: A New Leadership Framework 2 min readIn October, the founders of Current Forward, alongside a group of incredible Austin leaders, co-chaired the first annual Women in Tech Executive Summit. Held during Austin Tech Week, the summit brought together female executives, founders, board members, and senior leaders for a day of connection, insight, and leadership-focused programming.A highlight of the summit was a fireside chat between Current Forward CEO, Lillian Brown, and Zoom CMO, Kim Storin. They dug into fresh research we conducted for Zoom and talked candidly about how leaders can turn data into influence — using insights to guide decisions, shape strategy, and move teams toward action.Here are a few of the key takeaways from their conversation: ## Start with a hypothesis Kim emphasized that research without guardrails often leads to noise instead of clarity. Starting with a hypothesis gives your team direction, helping you build a story rooted in expertise and early signals in the market. Curiosity fuels exploration — but a defined POV keeps the insights meaningful. ## Information ≠ Influence Collecting data is easy. Influencing with data is not.Simply presenting facts and numbers leaves too much room for interpretation — or worse, misinterpretation. When you hand people information without narrative, they'll create their own storyline. And that rarely drives alignment.Influence happens when evidence is paired with clear direction. ## Data → Story → Action Data alone rarely moves people. Stories do.The most effective leaders treat data not as the final step of a project, but as input — raw material that shapes a compelling narrative and, ultimately, an informed strategy. When you translate data into a clear, human-centered story, people understand why it matters and what they should do next. That's when action follows. ## Powerful stories lead to outsized impact When teams use data to develop a differentiated POV and strategy, the effects ripple outward — internally and externally.A trend-setting insight can fuel your entire ecosystem:ProductBrandPRSalesContentPromotionsWhen all teams align around a shared, data-backed narrative, every touchpoint reinforces the same story. Over 6–12 months, this creates momentum, consistency, and cultural relevance — putting data at the center of how your brand shows up in the world.At Current Forward, we believe research becomes most powerful when it doesn't just inform — it influences. Leadership today isn't about having the most information. It's about guiding others through change using data, clarity, and story.If you'd like to explore how data storytelling can power your next big moment, we'd love to collaborate. ### Recent Posts [When quantitative research should lead](/insights/when-quantitative-research-should-lead)[Mixed-method research sprint framework](/insights/mixed-method-research-sprint-framework)[The Two Investments Every Loyalty Strategy Needs](/insights/the-two-investments-every-loyalty-strategy-needs) ## Need help turning insights into action? Explore our qualitative and quantitative research services, or talk with our team about your next project.[Explore research services](/what-we-do)[Request a proposal](/contact) ### Sign up to get our digest of trends and insights. Email address Submit Need help with an upcoming research decision?[Request a proposal](/contact) Resources[Contact us](/contact)[Insights](/insights)[Choosing a research partner](/how-to-choose-a-consumer-research-partner)[US consumer insights](/consumer-insights-and-qualitative-research)[From data to decisions](/from-data-to-decisions-insights-strategy)HQ in ATX[hello@currentfwd.com](mailto:hello@currentfwd.com) © 2026 Current Forward LLC. All rights reserved.[Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms-and-conditions)