Blog

April 26, 2023

Knowing When to Adjust Your Marketing Message to Your Customers

In the past couple of years, consumers have experienced changes in inflation, unemployment, gas and food prices, and interest rates, all of which send mixed messages […]
November 28, 2022

Marketing to Gen Z

Gen Z is the group following on the heels of Millennials and as they enter into their 20’s, are becoming of greater interest on everyone’s radar […]
November 28, 2022

2022 Holiday Shopping Trends

As we have seen since the 2020 holiday season, this year will continue to look different from previous years. Consumer behaviors are changing and evolving, leaving […]
April 21, 2022

Career Steps to Becoming a Market Research Analyst

Becoming a market research analyst is a great way to use your business and analytical skills to help companies understand and stay up to date with […]
April 21, 2022

Three Costly mistakes to avoid doing market research

It’s a common misconception that market research is only for big businesses with big budgets. In reality, though, market research is an essential part of any […]
April 21, 2022

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Excited To Join A Focus Group In 2022

Focus groups are a form of market research where a group of people are brought together to discuss a product or service. They’re often used as […]
October 18, 2021

Your Guide to Market Research with Consumer Panels

What does your target audience really want? Market research is about finding the answer.  While there are many useful methods, consumer panel research is a uniquely […]
October 5, 2021

7 Use Cases for Market Research in Manufacturing

The current worth of the manufacturing industry in the United states is about $5.9 trillion. And while market research is valuable – and frankly, necessary – […]
September 22, 2021
multicolored coats hanging in rack in retail store

Use Cases for Market Research in Retail

Market Research in the Retail Industry: 3 Use Cases Retail, especially e-commerce, is booming right now. Revenue from e-commerce in the United States amounted to 431.6 […]
September 6, 2021
smiling face painted on ground symbolizing happy customer experience

Using Market Research to Improve Customer Experience (with examples)

In an increasingly competitive landscape, customer experience is often what sets brands apart. And improving customer experience ultimately means more sales and growth. Providing a great […]
August 24, 2021
people sitting around table at company marketing conference room discussing third-party cookies

How Marketers Can Thrive Without Third-party Cookies

You’ve probably heard about the death of third-party cookies, the “cookieless future,” and the growing importance of first-party data. Earlier this year, Google announced plans to […]
August 10, 2021
person touching tablet what is first-party data

What Is First-Party Data, Second Party-Data, and Third-Party Data?

Data-driven marketing has been proven to increase ROI, which is why data is such an important resource for marketers today. The “right” type of data will […]
July 22, 2021
netflix logo rebranded

The What, Why, and How of a Successful Rebranding Strategy

Rebranding is a normal part of doing business. Major brands from Netflix to Airbnb to Dunkin’ Donuts (now simply Dunkin’) have successfully rebranded in the past. […]
July 5, 2021
person looking at paper and digital reports and graphs on a table

7 Most Important Market Research Skills In 2021

It’s an exciting time to be in the market research industry. Technologies and tools are constantly improving, and there’s more data available than ever before. Of […]
June 17, 2021
spiral stairway as symbol of customer feedback loop

Customer Feedback Loops for Happier Customers and Higher Revenue

A stellar customer experience can take your company from good to great. Research from McKinsey suggests brands that can improve the customer journey will experience 10 […]
June 4, 2021
laptop with online survey tool open on screen

How to Choose the Best Online Survey Tool for Business Market Research

Market research data can drive ROI in almost every aspect of your business, from product design to customer service, marketing, sales, and even operations. Customer expectations […]
May 27, 2021
man in Time Square looking at digital neon signs, brand image marketing

Managing Customer Perception: Understanding the Keys to Building and Measuring Brand Image

Capturing customers’ attention and business is harder than ever. In such a competitive market, standing out takes more than a cool product or reliable service. It […]
May 5, 2021
blue spraypainted padlock on fence, new, stricter privacy rules for protecting customer data

Protecting Customer Data in a Privacy-First Web – What it Means for Marketers

Privacy rules are getting stricter as protecting customer data becomes more important. Here’s what marketers can do to adapt and comply. Collecting user data for use […]
April 27, 2021
pictures of post it notes saying to do, doing, done, how to do agile market research

How to Do Agile Market Research

The term “agile” is a relatively new addition to the market research industry. The principles of agile philosophy stem from the software development industry, but now […]
April 6, 2021
shopping cart in grocery store using shop-alongs in online research

Using Mobile Shop-Alongs to Conduct Safe Online Market Research in 2021

Getting into your customers’ minds is a key goal of online market research. But if market research is done after the fact, participants have to try […]
March 23, 2021

Charlotte Business Growth Snapshot: 7 Industries to Watch Right Now

As Charlotte-based market research consultants, we have the opportunity to work with innovative local, national, and global brands. Great business conditions and relatively low cost of […]
March 5, 2021

4 Ways to Use Data-Driven Marketing to Improve Your ROI

As a market research firm in 2021, we’re data-focused. We have to be – It would be crazy to ignore the amount of information available. Verifiable […]
February 23, 2021

What Is A Competitive Analysis And When You Should Use One

The better you understand your competitors, the better chance you have of beating them. It’s not a new concept, but when’s the last time you ran […]
February 9, 2021
man holding phone sitting at computer market research trends for 2021

4 Top Market Research Trends To Look For In 2021

Thanks to new technologies and changing global markets, digital marketing is one of the fastest-growing sectors in 2021. The market research industry is experiencing a similar […]
January 28, 2021

How to Be a Better Product Designer: Insights from 3 Decades of Working with Product Designers

Great product design is about creating intuitive objects. A great product is appealing, easy to use, and may even change your customer’s life for the better.  […]
January 5, 2021

4 Reasons to Invest in Market Research in 2021

If you find yourself trying to justify the ‘cost’ of marketing, stop right there. Always remember marketing is an investment, not a cost. We completely understand […]
December 22, 2020

4 Ways to Personalize Your Marketing Without Being Creepy

These days, personalization is the name of the marketing game. Instead of casting a wide net, personalized marketing uses customer data to deliver a more one-to-one […]
December 4, 2020

Will These New Food and Beverage Industry Trends Stick Around?

We’re always watching industry trends. You could say it’s kinda ‘our thing’. When consumer needs shift, so do trends. Which has made 2020 an interesting year, […]
November 20, 2020
hand holding up beer bottle with white label and question mark on label

How to Come Up with a Great Product Name

A product’s name is more than just a label. It’s the first impression on potential customers. It offers a window into your product’s use, value, and […]
November 5, 2020
group of people walking outside in business attire talking

Going Beyond the Number – Using Net Promoter Score in Your Market Research

Net promoter score® (NPS®) is one of the most widely used metrics for gauging customer loyalty and satisfaction. It helps you understand and track how their […]
October 20, 2020
paper with the words marketing strategy on it, being ironed

Weathering the Storm: How to Adjust Your Marketing in Uncertain Times

We know everyone’s tired of hearing about COVID-19. If you never heard the words “unprecedented times” again, you’d be happy, right? We hear you….but this bears […]
October 2, 2020
shopping bags sitting on a table with holiday wrapping in red and white

What Will Holiday Shopping Look Like in 2020?

The 2020 holiday season will look different from other years. Of course, none of us has a crystal ball, but the “COVID-19-effect” seems here to stay, […]
September 24, 2020
top view of printed report with graphs, person looking at and holding, marketing strategy market research

4 Steps to Turn Your Data into Actionable Insights

Data is so big today that they literally call it “Big Data”. Given the numerous advanced analytics tools available, companies can extract all kinds of information […]
September 7, 2020
line of people with shopping carts entering store, marketing strategy crisis

The #1 Marketing Mistake to Make In an Economic Downturn

Economic downturns and other crises can spur bad business decisions. Whether a pandemic, a recession, or other unforeseen circumstances, tough times often lead to changes. If […]
August 25, 2020
how to avoid survey fatigue and keep customers engaged

Survey Fatigue is Real: 3 Tips to Keep Customers Engaged

It’s never been easier to reach out to customers. Your website, Google reviews, email, and social media are all effective channels for customer interaction and requesting […]
August 11, 2020
picture of two arms reaching out to shake hands, how to choose a market research partner

How to Find the Best Fit When Choosing a Market Research Company

“What should I look for in a market research company?” If that’s the first question that comes to mind when considering your options, you’re on the […]
July 21, 2020

Do You Know What Your Data is Trying to Tell You?

“Facts are stubborn things — but statistics are pliable” – Mark Twain Every day a new data set—new studies with statistics about America’s consumption habits, our […]
July 8, 2020

Top 5 Questions Market Research Can Help You Answer

What can market research do for your business? A lot, actually! Effective market research helps you identify your target customers, their buying habits and motivations, and […]
June 18, 2020

Your Customers are Telling You Something – Are You Listening?

Buzzwords be damned. Innovation and adaptability are what separates the successful companies from the short-lived ones.  Innovation is what took Arm & Hammer from a single […]
June 5, 2020

Want to Design a Better Product? You Need In-Home User Testing

Product testing may be the single most important type of research your company ever conducts. Ensuring that your product becomes a top performer in a category […]
May 21, 2020
ways to improve the employee experience market research

5 Easy Ways to Improve the Employee Experience

Today’s shoppers (especially millennials) buy “the experience” as much as they buy the actual product. The same goes for today’s employees. Workers place a high value […]
May 7, 2020
market segmentation strategies, market research

Market Segmentation Strategies for Targeting Your Ideal Customer

You can’t be everything to everyone.  We all know this to be true: in our careers, our relationships, our communities, and of course, in our marketing. […]
April 25, 2020
converting customers to brand advocates through market research

3 Secrets for Converting Customers to Brand Advocates

If the new wave of Instagram influencers is proof of anything, it’s that word-of-mouth marketing is still as relevant as ever in the digital age.  Word-of-mouth […]
April 6, 2020
market research and social distancing - strategies for virtual research

Long-Distance Relationships: Virtual Strategies for Conducting Market Research Safely During Coronavirus

Even as families, businesses, and communities are trying their best to do “business as usual” – COVID-19 has changed our daily lives for the coming weeks. […]
March 17, 2020

5 Ways to Find Participants for Your Market Research

Asking your customers what they think is key to improving business performance. Market research in the form of customer feedback can provide insight into product features, […]
March 3, 2020

Get Deeper Insights with a Customized Market Research Project

How is your company going about your market research–Instagram polls? Customer satisfaction surveys? How’s that working out for you? To truly move the needle for your […]
February 18, 2020

How to Choose the Best Market Research Partner

Choosing a reputable market research company can be a challenge. You may have questions about cost, scope, and how to make the most of the partnership. […]
February 5, 2020

5 Mistakes in Marketing to Women

Women play an enormous role in the economy, and yet many companies struggle to effectively reach this powerful block of consumers. Strong market research has to […]
January 15, 2020

Market Research: Expectations vs Reality

5 Common Market Research Myths Explained  What if you could predict, with a large degree of accuracy, the success or failure of your next product? If […]
January 2, 2020

How Market Research Data is Driving ROI for Brands

Using data analytics and market research to support well-informed business decisions is a sure-fire way to see positive results. In fact, nearly nine out of ten […]
December 23, 2019

How to Gain Customer Insight with Consumer Panels

A consumer panel is a group of people selected by a business or organization to provide opinions and feedback on products or services. Market researchers will […]
December 9, 2019

Industry Outlook: Top Market Research Trends for 2020

The market research industry has seen significant growth over the last five years and according to projections, that growth will continue. First Research, Inc. reports the […]
November 19, 2019

How Qualitative and Quantitative Data Work Together to Maximize Research Insights

The first step in any research project is to determine your research needs. What are your goals and what questions are you trying to answer? Once […]
November 7, 2019

Sustainability is Driving Food Packaging – How Will Your Brand Respond?

Sustainability has gained priority across nearly every industry, as consumers embrace making environmentally-friendly choices. According to a Nielsen Holdings study, 55% of respondents will pay extra […]
October 23, 2019
market research focus group charlotte

Why Charlotte is a Great Place to Conduct Market Research

Many companies are choosing to do market research in Charlotte and for good reason. The “Queen City” is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. Its vibrant […]
October 21, 2019
group of hands painted red forming a heart shape - market research to grow your business and gain fans

How 5 Major Companies Used Market Research to Grow Their Business (and Win Loyal Fans)

After your product has been released into the wild, it’s time to observe through market research. You’ve created something, but how does it work when people […]
September 24, 2019
group of primary research participants in an auditorium

Why Primary Research is Essential to Business Projects

So you’re ready to dive in and conduct market research. You’re excited to learn insights about your competitors, uncover your customers’ preferences, and unlock valuable consumer […]
September 9, 2019
six wine bottles with different labels (product packaging) standing in a row

The Secret to Selling Wine is an Enticing Label (Why Product Packaging Matters)

We’ve all been there – standing in the wine aisle, paralyzed by a sea of Sauvignon. With a price point and flavor in mind and still […]
August 27, 2019

How to Run a Successful Focus Group

Focus groups are an immensely valuable tool for gathering feedback and ideas to improve a company’s product, service, or knowledge of their customers.  Voccii® has over […]
August 15, 2019

Have You Thought About These 9 Key Sales and Marketing Analytics?

Identifying essential data is key to a thriving business. It’s more than just a question of sales – although your sales will benefit. Harnessing commercially relevant […]
July 17, 2019
man on customer support team wearing headphones looking at laptop

Using Customer Service Teams in Market Research Initiatives

Market researchers use every tool in the shed to gather valuable information about customers. They listen on social media, send out email surveys, and ask for […]
July 3, 2019
Market Research Methods primary research

Market Research Methods (Primary vs Secondary Research)

If you’re launching a new business, developing a new product, or expanding your existing business, market research is critical to your success. Gathering and interpreting information […]
June 17, 2019
negative feedback online reviews

How to Make Negative Feedback Work to Your Brand’s Advantage

Online reviews have an effect on your brand’s reputation – and brand reputation has an effect on sales.  Social media is one of the major ways […]
June 3, 2019
consumer research market research

4 Things Smart Consumer Research Can Teach You

What do your consumers look like? Where do they shop? What type of music do they like? You may not think it matters, but it does. […]
May 20, 2019
common market research methods

Common Market Research Methods

There are many ways to do market research. However businesses mostly use a combination of the following common methods: surveys, focus groups, personal interviews, and product […]
May 6, 2019
create great surveys get research results

How to Create a Great Survey that Gets Results

A survey is a powerful tool for collecting research data. But there is a difference between a poor survey and a good one. A well-written survey […]
April 22, 2019
lightbulb data vs information vs insight

Data vs Information vs Insight

Data, information, insight… What’s the difference? For those of us that work in research and analytics, this seems like a silly question. We’re up to our […]
April 9, 2019
overhead view of wine bottles on table finding respondents research

Finding the Right Respondents for Research

Finding the appropriate respondents for your research matters. You can ask questions all day, but it won’t get you anywhere if you’re asking the wrong people. […]
March 19, 2019

How Information Silos are Hurting Your Business

Are the departments across your company talking to each other? Does each of them know what the other is up to? They should. What are information […]
March 5, 2019

How Field Research Leads to Better Product Design

Product design research can mean the difference between a good product and a great one. Going from good to great can put you ahead of competitors […]
February 18, 2019

Get More from Your Research – How to Use Your Insights as Content Marketing Materials

If you’re like most content marketers, you’re always on the lookout for new and fresh content ideas. If your company has recently performed market research, customer […]
February 5, 2019

Quick Guide to Determining Your Market Demand

Before you can make money selling a new product or service, you need to answer some big questions. Who will you sell to? Do those people […]
January 21, 2019
aerial shot sports stadium toyota center - measuring roi sports marketing

Keeping Score – Measuring ROI in Your Sports Sponsorship Program

Whether you’re a marketer trying to sell your CEO on the value of a sports sponsorship or a sports entity hoping to entice sponsors – you’ve […]
January 7, 2019

How to Sell a Boring Product: Finding Brand Differentiators Where You Least Expect Them

It’s hard to imagine a product that’s plainer, more vanilla, more boring than paper. The longest shelves in any office supply store are dedicated to plain […]
December 17, 2018

Now Tell Me the Truth – Top 10 Reasons to Use a Market Research Company

We’re all for doing-it-yourself – when it makes sense. If you can fix your own water heater and save some money, more power to you. And […]
December 3, 2018

Data-Driven Marketing – 3 Real Life Examples of How Data Fuels Creative Decisions

There was a time when agency creative directors and researchers never spoke. Didn’t even shake hands. But in today’s data-driven marketing world, that kind of attitude […]
November 19, 2018
market research services research mistakes

Top Mistakes that Derail Market Research (and How to Avoid Them)

Market analysis is key to understanding your customers and your competitors. It provides you with insights that can help drive better business planning and strategy. Just […]
November 5, 2018
market research consumer packaged goods retail packaging

30 Years of Research Reveals Best Practices in Retail Packaging

Good packaging is vital for any brand with a product to sell. But what makes retail packaging “good”? Trends in packaging come and go and sometimes, […]
October 22, 2018

6 Signs You Might Need Market Research

Market research. Do I really need it? Do I need it now? What kind of ROI can I expect? If you’ve asked yourself these questions, you’re […]
October 8, 2018

Do You Know Who Your Competitors Are (And Why Should You Care)?

Your rivals actually push you to be better. Remember when Snapchat exploded onto the social media scene? They made a huge splash with younger users and […]
September 27, 2018

Top 5 Benefits of Market Research

Market research drives smart business decisions and improves product strategy. It’s particularly beneficial when launching a new product, refining customer targeting, discovering more lucrative buyer profiles, […]
September 16, 2018

Marketing to Millennials – What the Data Tells Us

In order to market to a population, you first need to understand them. This has never been more true than with millennials. You might be thinking […]
September 6, 2018

5 Ways Market Research Can Save You Money

You probably already know market research provides detailed and relevant information on things like consumer wants, needs, and spending behaviors. It’s the basis for competitor profiles […]
September 6, 2018

How to Use Research for a Successful Product Launch

Depending on who you ask, the product failure rate for consumer packaged goods (CPG) is anywhere between 70 – 90%.  The healthcare industry fares a little […]
Free initial consultation