If The Apprentice was the face of market research, then it would definitely need some of Dr Leah’s TLC. Or possibly something a little more drastic. Regular viewers will know that research has been battered and bruised by Lord Sugar’s hot and cold attitude, candidates’ terrible techniques and forgone conclusions: the industry is portrayed very poorly on the show. But what can we learn from the way the contestants use market research? Know and listen to your customer In order
Read MoreHello! Magazine describes itself as providing ‘the latest celebrity and royal news from the UK and around the world’s, a description which does not bring the leading digital data collection provider to mind. Nevertheless, Research Now was in the magazine’s headlines following its survey on the future royal baby on 27 June. At Mustard, we pride ourselves on our ability to listen to, and act upon a client’s need. Research Now wanted to appear in the popular press, so we
Read MoreEvery different industry and market has a trade media. These publications hold a mirror up to the industries they cover – the good, the bad and the downright ugly. But I have lost track of the time our PR clients have in the past dismissed their trade media as unworthy of attention or effort. They always brief us to aim for bigger prizes – coverage in Nationals or international business media. This is short-sighted at best and can be damaging.
Read MoreDubai, land of sky high glass and steel buildings, big motor cars and even bigger dreams. I was eager to escape the longest and coldest Northern European winter on record for even a few days so leapt at the offer of a ticket to the UAE when ESOMAR invited me to reprise my ‘Communicating Insights’ workshop and ‘As stimulating as black coffee’ presentation at their MENAP Conference last week. The Jumeirah Emirates Towers provided a glittering venue for the occasion
Read MoreThere are many brilliant people in the research and consumer insight business, who advise clients on all aspects of marketing, customer experience, innovation and branding but who often do not apply what they preach to their own businesses. Now, I know how hard it is to step back from your own organisation and see it clearly, warts and all. It is even harder to put yourself in the shoes of your potential clients and see what they see, hear what
Read MoreDiscourse abounds regarding the place of "big data" within market research as the industry groans and shifts under the weight of an influx of data which is increasing at an unprecedented rate. But has market research done enough groaning or shifting to meet the needs of ‘big data’? And do we need a new definition of what market research is or even a new nomenclature for the industry? The Market Research Society looks into this in their recent report in
Read MoreWe're very excited to announce a new addition to our clientele: Perception Research Services (PRS). Specialists in packaging and shopper research, PRS is a growing international company, with headquarters in New Jersey, and offices in London, Singapore, Geneva, Mexico City, and Rome. PRS pioneered the use of eye-tracking and virtual aisles in their research so that clients can "win at retail". PRS also utilizes mobile eye-tracking and facial coding to help marketers better understand shopper behaviour and gauge the impact
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