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. Add to that the wide range of market research firms in Charlotte and the U.S., and you may wonder “Where do I begin?”
A market research firm can help you achieve more objective results and get the evidence you need to make strategic decisions. Choosing the best market research company could mean the difference between success and failure of your next launch or campaign.
Market research is the process of gathering, collecting, analyzing data and preparing information in advisory reports for improving strategic decision-making processes.
What to Consider When Choosing a Market Research Firm in Charlotte
How do you find a market research firm that can deliver what you need and help you beat the competition? To help you avoid the mistake of choosing based on cost alone, consider the following when creating your shortlist of potential research partners.
Choose an Agile Firm
Ideally, you want a market research firm that’s resourceful and pro-active throughout the entire project. One that not only rolls with the punches in the face of unintended changes, but also quickly adjusts course when unexpected (yet relevant) themes arise.
An agile research partner combines experience, industry knowledge, and best practices to create a custom approach to meet your objectives. They won’t force your unique project into a cookie-cutter format just because that’s “the way they’ve always done it”.
At Voccii®, we may be small, but we handle big projects! Being a lean market research firm keeps us nimble and ready to pivot at the first sign of insight. With over 30 years of market research experience, we’ve seen it all. We’re ready to go where your project leads us.
Demand a Market Research Company With Integrity
Any market research company you hire has a responsibility to be unbiased and objective. This is one area where “faking it till you make it” simply will not suffice. You’ll be trusting them with confidential company information, after all.
A market research firm with integrity will follow through on deadlines, commitments, and uphold the highest ethical standards. They should also be trained in recognizing and removing bias in research projects. Choose a company who is transparent at every step and is willing to share information about its process and reasoning.
Select A Company With Experience & Talent
When it comes to choosing a market research company, the research team’s experience-level should be at the top of your criteria list. Competitive pricing is no longer an advantage if the work is low-quality.
Experienced market research companies can identify issues in a process before they happen. Review the market research firm’s history and company information, and look out for the following:
- Case studies and testimonials on their site which display positive results
- Company history including the number of years in business and years of experience of the leadership team and analysts
- Research experience in a variety of segments and industries
- Quality and variety of data collection methods
Contact us for an extended list of industries, or see our past results.
How to Know You’re In Good Hands
Before hiring a market research company to help you answer key business questions, do a little research of your own. When choosing a market research firm near you to design and conduct surveys, focus groups, or other projects, look for:
- A team that is genuinely passionate about research – How engrossed is the firm within the larger market research industry? Do they keep on top of trends or run their own consumer panel, for example?
- A firm that will translate data to insights – Your market research firm should never hand you a pile of numbers and say “Here you go!” The value in hiring a professional to do your market research is in their ability to interpret the data, turning it into insights you can act on.
- Team members who go above and beyond – Voccii® co-founder Gayle Ireland holds the respected Professional Researcher Certification (PRC). She is also a member of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA). Both Gayle Ireland and Mary Johnson are members of the Insights Association.
- The company specializes in market research (and only market research) – Firms who offer research as part of a suite of marketing services may not be able to provide the same level of focus or expertise as someone whose core service is market research.
The right company will work with you to define a vision, methodology, and a step-by-step approach. Contact us today to talk about your research project.
