septembre 03, 2016

Excellent Market Research Tips For Startups

By Michelle Fisher


Researchers indicate that very few startups survive beyond two years. This is attributed to poor or total lack of market research. The same fate faces products launched by established brands. It indicates that the issue goes beyond funding. It is an element of understanding the operating environment and planning how best to approach it. Razor sharp focus and execution is required to survive in the current business environment.

Ideas that are successfully implemented require planning, diligence and right timing. The duty of conducting primary investigations is yours before it can be transferred to other employees or third parties. As the owner of the idea, you need first hand information. Conduct a SWOT analysis that gives you the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats that you will face in the process of introducing a product or executing a plan.

Gather qualitative and quantitative data on target area of operation. With the SWOT analysis and background study you have already conducted, discuss with potential clients the specifics of your idea and how the market is likely to receive it. Some of these discussions may take place through social media and web engagements. Focus groups are another excellent way to get firsthand information.

Surveys are aimed at gathering information for use in decision making. In order to get the right information, you need to ask the right questions. Begin with friendly and easy questions that help you create a good rapport and which the respondent can confidently answer. Afterwards, ask the hard hitting direct questions. Forcing a respondent to give a particular answer will skew your survey results. The resulting findings will not be reliable.

Take action based on the information gathered. Focus discussions and responses provide crucial information on marketing challenges, needs and customer perceptions. This information is vital in developing a plan. Such a plan should be SMART. This means that it is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timed. Though the plan is specific, provide room for adjustments depending on reception and changing business platform.

At inception, ideas appear brilliant. Once you hit the field and interact with real client, you realize that others have been implementing different versions of your product or service. This is not a time to give up. Tweak your idea or product to make it relevant to target consumers. However, while at it, do not allow other people to modify your proposal to meet individual needs. Your focus should be general and not prone to manipulation.

Confidentiality is very important when surveying any business environment. The possibility of bias is real. Respondents might give you the information you want other than what you need. To avoid this, approach them with caution. Be sensitive to the answers given. Choose a group that cannot leak your ideas and intentions to your competition.

A full marketing survey could be hampered by lack of funds. This calls for innovative ways of information gathering. You may use internet surveys while at the same time spending more time to understand the market and sharpen your ideas. Ensure that you hit at the right place. Schedule all your actions and be ready to modify ideas from time to time during implementation.




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