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Market Research - SCORE 1.10
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October 9, 2023
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Market research is defined as research that gathers and analyzes information about the moving of goods or services from the producer to the consumer.

There are two main approaches to conducting market research. These include:

  1. Developing primary data via surveys and focus groups
  2. Using secondary data, that which is available through publicly accessible sources

Surveys

Once we have determined a particular item or range of data that will assist in our business planning, a choice must be made as to which of the several survey methods available will be used to acquire this information. Online, mail, telephone, and face-to-face are the main methods being used. You can commission a market research agency to carry out any of these survey methods if your budget allows.

Surveys allow you to find out the views of a targeted population. The more individuals surveyed, the more reliable will be the results. Online and mail surveys are generally not random and can over- or underrepresent segments of the population. Telephone surveys are generally more representative of the population, though the wide use of cell phones has complicated the issue.

The secret to a successful survey lies in questions that collect the information you need. Make sure you ask each respondent exactly the same questions, and try to avoid any which are leading or ambiguous.

For more information read, "How to Conduct Market Research", Inc Magazine

Focus groups

This a small group of people with similar characteristics selected from a wider population for an open discussion of its members' opinions and emotional responses to a particular subject or area. Generally a group consists of about ten members in a room with a researcher. This is an example of qualitative research, i.e., non-numeric.

Secondary Research

Secondary research uses publicly available data. The upside is that there is no need to conduct surveys; the downside is that such data may be out of date, does not apply to your target market, or that techniques for collecting the data were faulty. Still, this is the most widely used technique.

Secondary data sources you should try include:

Industry Codes

Much of available commercial and industrial data is organized by a market segment code, generally NAICS but sometimes by the older SIC code. As an example of how to use a code, let us say you want to make chocolate candy for sale; you plan to purchase the chocolate. The NAICS codes are progressively detailed as the length of the code increases:

Manufacturing - 31

Food Manufacture - 311

Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing - 3113

Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate - 31133

Data for NAICS code 31133 will be very useful to your research. For an example of how to find such data.

Researching Your Competitors

This process begins with finding your competitors. This generally produces answers about who, what, where, when and how. One can obtain this information through Internet searches, looking through industry journals, or talking to knowledgeable sources.

As well as knowing who your competitors are, this will also tell you what they offer and their propositions. This will help you identify your USP. See "What's Your Unique Selling Point?" See also “Researching Your Competitors.”

Industry Data

A lot of data exists within trade associations. To find the publications for a specific industry simply Google the words “trade magazine xxxxxx” with xxxxxx being the product or service. For example, “trade magazine chocolate manufacture” provides a link to the National Confectioners Association.

Other good sources for trade association data include:

  • http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_industry_trade_groups_in_the_United_States
  • http://the.businessmagazinenetwork.com
  • http://www.freetrademagazines.com

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Disclaimer

The information contained in these briefs is for general information only. While we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the briefs Through these briefs you may be able to link to other websites which are not under the control of SCORE therefore the inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Any reference from SCORE to a specific commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by SCORE or SBA or SCORE Chapter 34 or the United States Government of the product, process, or service or its producer or provider.

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