Setting the table for UX success: highlights from Askable’s Insight Exchange Sydney dinner

The Insight Exchange series by Askable brings together leaders from UX, CX, product, and design for an exclusive conversational dinner. We know leadership can be hard. Real hard. These events aim to provide a space for leaders to share their wins and war stories with people who (actually) get it. 

Some of Sydney’s sharpest minds gathered under one roof at SALA, right on the Darling Harbour waterfront. The menu? A spread of Italian dishes that left everyone wondering if seconds were acceptable (spoiler: they were). 

With a Conversational Menu as our guide, the night wasn’t just about swapping stories, it was about diving deep into the stuff that matters. 

We asked the question—​in an era where markets are shrinking and consumer expectations are rising, how can industry leaders drive meaningful product growth while delivering customer experiences that go beyond the ordinary?

We traded war stories from the trenches of research—some that made us chuckle, others that made us think twice. 

A few things overheard on the night?

“You know, this is the first industry event I’ve ever attended willingly…” 

“I could’ve kept talking for hours…” 

“Your collective noun should be Askabubbles…” 

The insights shared were too good to keep to ourselves, so here’s a peek at the highlights from Askable’s night in Sydney.

Navigating a shifting cultural landscape

Australia’s cultural fabric is evolving, and so are user expectations. What wowed users 5 or 10 years ago might not cut it today. 

We explored how to stay ahead of the curve by being acutely aware of our diverse customer base. 

How can we create experiences that are inclusive and resonate across different generations and cultures? It's a challenge we're excited to tackle.

Communicating with the C-suite

Let's face it—getting the C-suite excited about research can be tough. We discussed the importance of crafting compelling narratives that make data and insights not just palatable but downright exciting for executives. 

Sharing tools and methods, we talked about making UX research accessible and engaging for everyone in the organisation. 

Moving beyond default solutions (like endless surveys), we discussed more impactful ways to gather and present insights.

It's about showing how great UX isn't just good for customers—it’s good for business too.

Putting insights before design

A hot topic of the night was the tendency for businesses to jump straight into design and worry about insights later. 

We all agreed—it's time to flip that script. By grounding our designs in solid user research from the get-go, we can create products that truly resonate with people. 

After all, understanding the ‘why’ behind user behaviour is just as important as the design itself.

Building a UX-first culture

Creating a culture that puts UX at the forefront isn't a walk in the park. We chatted about strategies to embed curiosity and a user-first mindset across all levels of an organisation. 

Often, UX professionals play the role of the ‘devil’s advocate’, constantly asking ‘why’ to challenge assumptions. 

It's not about being difficult—it's about caring deeply for the user experience.

Embracing ethical AI

We tackled the big questions around integrating AI into our work ethically and responsibly. 

While AI can speed up data analysis, it can't replace the nuanced understanding that comes from human insight. 

We agreed that AI is a powerful tool, but it’s up to us to interpret the data in meaningful ways that truly serve our users.

Inclusive recruitment in research

Digital platforms have transformed how we connect, but they don’t reach everyone. 

We highlighted the importance of using alternative methods—like good old-fashioned face-to-face conversations—to include underrepresented groups in our research. 

After all, inclusivity isn't just a buzzword, it’s a necessity.