About Breakpoint | Our Story & Research Approach

About Breakpoint

Breakpoint was created to answer a question I kept seeing in research work.

The Gap

Why do people often behave differently from what’s expected?

Across years of research and campaigns I saw organisations collecting more data than ever, yet struggling to explain why people get stuck, resist, disengage or find new ways forward.

That is the gap Breakpoint exists to fill. We use survey research, behaviour-led analysis and strategic storytelling to find where behaviour breaks from the expected path – and what to do next.

Across years of research and campaigns I saw organisations collecting more data than ever, yet struggling to explain why people get stuck, resist, disengage or find new ways forward.

That is the gap Breakpoint exists to fill. We use survey research, behaviour-led analysis and strategic storytelling to find where behaviour breaks from the expected path – and what to do next.

Why I do this

I’m Ian Walker,

A research and insights specialist with a background across journalism, public relations and market research.

I founded Breakpoint to bring those three disciplines together. Every project starts with understanding the client's world, the decisions they need to make and the people whose behaviour matters. We then use structured research to test assumptions, uncover what is actually happening and turn the evidence into clear insight, strategy and stories.

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Where the experience comes from

My experience spans large-scale market research across business, government and education, including seven years leading research at tech start-up Year13/Anyway. I’ve designed and delivered studies for organisations including Microsoft, KPMG, Visa as well as universities and government departments, including contributing research to campaigns shortlisted for AFR, B&T and Mumbrella awards.

My research has generated more than 100 earned media stories across Australia and the US, with coverage in the AFR, ABC News, Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au and New York Post. I've also led the PR and communications behind that coverage, pitching stories and positioning leaders as public voices on the issues the research explored.

I began my career as a journalist at News Corp Australia and later worked freelance overseas, with stories published by the BBC. That experience shaped my approach to research today – finding the human story within complex issues and communicating evidence clearly.

The value of the work

Understand what is happening

Go beyond attitudes and intentions to understand what people are doing and how behaviour is changing.

Find where behaviour breaks from the expected path

Identify the tensions, drivers and gaps between what is expected and what actually happens.

Know what to do next

Turn the evidence into clear strategic implications, practical next steps and stories that can move people.

What is a breakpoint?

A behavioural breakpoint is the point where behaviour breaks from the expected path.

Finding it helps explain not just what people are doing, but why behaviour is changing – and what can move them forward.

A behavioural breakpoint is the point where behaviour breaks from the expected path.

Finding it helps explain not just what people are doing, but why behaviour is changing – and what can move them forward.

Find the breakpoint