How to Ensure the Use of Research Data
I have mulling over many topics recently, but one keeps coming to mind. As researchers, there will come a point when we will ask ourselves, does what we do really matter? How does this survey bring us,...
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Research Can be Bad for Your Health
Canada's cigarette packages look nothing like their American counterparts. In Canada, federal government legislation prescribes a set of 15 health warnings and accompanying photographs that must be...
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Incorporating the 4Cs into our Marketing Thought Process
Should research lead the way? In this case, I am referring to leading the charge for a change in the corporate mindset around marketing. Marketing theory for the last 50 – 60 years has been focused on...
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How to Have Meaningful Customer Conversations
For years, companies have considered customer service as a cost, as a necessary administrative expense. And, that is why, when the bad time hit, these companies tried to cut the cost through various...
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Customer Experience & Department Lines
I only need to sell the product, customer service will figure out how to make it work. Why should I worry about another product? It'll take time away from my core function - and impact my bonus (or...
View Article3 Steps to Improve Personnel Evaluation Scores
If your personnel evaluations show your employees could be happier, you are probably one of a majority of companies. Politics, work load, and lack of appreciation from colleagues are just a few reasons...
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He Shoots…He Scores!
Those of you who follow me or are connected via social media may know my day job involves managing the research function for a leading IT and business skills education provider. Anytime the word...
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When Research Crashes into Common Sense
Every now and then, a new product is introduced that seems to contradict common sense, conventional wisdom and sometimes even deeply-held beliefs. Sometimes it seems a company is so enamored with...
View ArticleWho Should You Include in Your 360 Survey?
360 surveys are a great way to ensure all engines are firing and humming across all aspects of you business. 360 surveys should measure the quality of your product or service, the customer...
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The Yin and Yang of research
Left foot before the right, or is it right before the left? This is not a new dance step, but it is about using two tools that compliment each other, just as our left foot compliments the right and...
View Article5 Compelling Reasons to Deliver an Amazing Customer Service Experience
Last month, Shep Hyken shared Ten Compelling Reasons to Deliver an Amazing Customer Service Experience. His list is excellent (I feel very compelled!). I wanted to take a moment to share my favorites:...
View Article3 Ways to Ensure Market Research Quality
As the first quarter of this year is almost near its end, market research may have begun for your current or planned marketing campaigns. Since market research can often leave you in a tailspin, here...
View Article4 Questions for your Next Website Survey
While web surveys can be used for just about any purpose these days, it is still valid to ask your users what they think of your website, as it might be the most trafficked and valuable marketing asset...
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There are No Wrong Answers, Only Wrong Questions.
Whether you're hoping to increase your customer base, improve your customer experience or gauge your employee satisfaction, online surveys are a great tool to collect the feedback and information you...
View ArticleMean Meets Median
The curse of it is… Well the curse of being a research junkie, particularly in the B2B space, is you come across a great deal of salary surveys. Everyone wants to compare themselves and see where they...
View ArticleMarket Research Where it Matters
So often, market research is conducted in a room where there is a one-sided mirror which masks an audience of vested viewers behind it (think Mad Men). Market research participants are asked a series...
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Are You Stuck in Analysis Paralysis?
Listening to the customers involves paying active attention to all relevant data sources, and that can be exhausting with so much information all around us. In an earlier blog, I discussed how...
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Visual Appeal Doesn't Negate the Need for Good Survey Design
Visual scales are all the rage nowadays. Virtually every online survey provider has a slate of them available for use in your surveys. However, no matter how cool the slider or other visual question...
View ArticleAre Surveys Valid Market Validation Tools for Entrepreneurs?
Starting a business is risky. Entrepreneurs know this going in. They do what they can to minimize risk by doing market research to determine what their potential competitors are doing, the size of...
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Body Copy for your Survey Invitation
Wordsmithing is an important skill for authors, and since survey researchers are authors it pays to keep our skills honed. Continuing in our discussion about ways to improve the deliverability of our...
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