Saturday, September 3, 2016

Excellent Market Research Tips For New Businesses

By Michelle Fisher


Data indicates that that most start-ups fizzle out within two years of initiation. The reason given for this trend is failure to conduct market research. Established brands also face this challenge when introducing new products into the market. This means that it is not an issue of funding or business experience. The main problem is failure to understand the environment you will be operating in. Successful ideas have been executed through razor sharp focus after thorough survey of the operating environment.

A little planning, diligence and proper timing of decision is required to succeed in market entry. Always begin by investigating about the environment as an individual before passing the responsibility to a professional firm or co-workers. One of the methods you can use in this examination is SWOT analysis. This involves examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to executing your idea.

Collect both qualitative and quantitative figures on intended plan. Deductions from SWOT analysis combined with your findings during primary survey help you sharpen the specifics of your plan. Engage target clients on the impact your idea will have and expected reception. Let them give you a feel of pros and cons of such a plan.

The purpose of any study or survey is to gather information. In order to get the best information, you must ask the right questions. Soft questions that leave the customer feeling easy are the best to begin with. They help you break the ice and win the confidence of respondents. You may then turn to the direct and hard hitting questions later. Avoid forcing respondents to answer. They are likely to mislead you or give doctored answers.

Turn the information you have received into action. Discussions and questions to respondents should give you valuable information about customer perceptions, needs and challenges. Use this information to develop a plan of action. Create what is referred to as SMART goals. This means that they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timed. Since you do not control the market, you should be ready to make adjustments when need arises.

At inception, all ideas are brilliant and their owners are enthusiastic about them. However, response from the ground and unexpected challenges cause some people to abandon them. This should not be your story. Find a way of modifying it such that it remains relevant to the business environment. Avoid distraction from individuals who try to modify it in order to suit their business models or goals. Implement your idea with the bigger picture in mind.

Industry penetration and execution of ideas requires a great deal of confidentiality. Respondents can be misleadingly biased. Respondents on the other hand may give you skewed information that misleads your decision making. This can be avoided by approaching questions and respondents with caution. Ensure that your respondents are honest and reliable not to leak information and ideas to competitors.

Funds are not always available to conduct a comprehensive research. The alternatives at your disposal include an internet based surveys. Invest time into sharpening your idea and understanding the environment such that you will not waste time and resources hitting the wrong targets. Every detail of your plan should be scheduled. Be quick to change decisions that do not work.




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