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Thought Leadership

Marketing Strategy in Education Services

Many do not often realize that Education is a business, even for non-profit universities.  Attracting appropriate students and planning ahead financial are vital in a competitive industry with many different competing substitutes.  The rise of the Digital Disruption means that more substitutes to traditional Education services are flourishing.  Developing and implementing cogent strategies are critical. … Lees meer

What are some Analytical Tools in Market Research?

What are some of the key Analytical Tools in Market Research? Here are some common analytics: Customer Satisfaction/Unmet Needs Some examples:  Matrix Analysis, Customer Loyalty Drivers or Stage Diagrams Competitive Analysis Competitive Issue Targeting Graphics, Loyalty Quadrants, Venn Diagrams Winn/Loss Research Win/Loss Factor Displays Brand Awareness and Equity Brand Equity Driver Diagram, Structural Equations Modeling, … Lees meer

Corporate Sustainability Strategies: A Siemens Case Study

Siemens is one of the world’s most prominent companies and Europe’s largest technology conglomerate. With 430,000 employees, $77 billion in revenue and industrial manufacturing, the company naturally has a major impact on greenhouse gases emissions emitting 4.53 million tons CO2e.

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Qualitative Research in China

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When to Resume your Slashed and Burned Market Research Budget

Worldwide market research budgets have been slashed.  Much of this is my own primary research in Asia, North America and Europe in the past 3 weeks speaking among colleagues and clients on-the-ground.  In the US, management has decimated their budgets often to zero; or US marketers have not released funds, even if they have been allocated budgets.  In Europe, budgets have been dramatically reduced, but not eliminated as in the US.  Asia and the Middle East have also reduced their market research budgets.  Clearly, corporate management has focused on survival in this horrific global recession.  But research shows that management should very closely look at when to resume their currently slashed and burned budgets.

US Employers Note Generation Y Skill Deficits

In a new survey by Experience, Generation Y is unclear about the necessary skills for success in their careers.  The survey explored the ideas of both employers and Generation Y.  Experience found that 54% of Gen Y respondents were unclear about exactly the skills considered desirable by employers.  But a large number of Gen Y respondents felt that they were not lacking necessary skills desired by employers.  This optimism contrasted with the reality of employers believing Generation Y was deficient in important skills.  Employers can take confidence in the study’s findining that 97% of Gen Y respondents would take action to rectify their skill deficit.

An Overview of the Contraceptive Sector

The contraceptive market consists of all products used for birth control or as prophylaxis in sexual relationships and includes the following forms: oral, chemical, barrier and hormonal.[1]

Gone with the Wind? The Financial Crisis and Wind Energy

Undoubtedly, the Global financial crisis is impacting formerly high growth energy sectors.  The wind energy sector has witnessed dramatic growth over the past 10 years.   Our researchers explored some of the ways the wind industry has been impacted by the financial crisis.

American Food Habits during the Recession: Organics

Amidst the growing food prices, many American consumers are still leaning towards natural and organic foods that are pesticide-free, hormone-free and non-GMO. The cost-conscious American consumer is putting a premium on practicing healthier eating habits, as certified organic growers begin to develop specialized niches and loyal customer base in the market. 

The natural and organic food and beverage market is reshaping the US consumer lifestyle, with a wide range of products available in every retail outlet in the country.  US consumers are also increasingly becoming health savvy consumers with preference on purchasing natural alternatives to processed foods and other mainstream offerings.

US Consumerism during the Great Recession

The growing financial crisis in the US is taking its toll on consumer confidence in the economy with real consumer spending falling at an annual rate of 3.1% in the third quarter of 2008 and real spending on durable goods falling at an annual rate of 14%.  American consumers have long been living beyond their means; however, this lifestyle is expected to end as consumers began to focus on saving their money. In the mid-1980s Americans saved about 10% of their income. Lately, however, the savings rate has generally been below two percent, sometimes registering negative percentages; and consumer debt rose to 98 percent of G.D.P., twice its level a quarter-century ago.

The current financial crisis has influenced the changes in American consumer behavior. The “new” American consumer can be characterized as:

Manhattan Office Space Flooding the Market

These days, developers and commercial real estate brokers have a tough time filling office space in Manhattan in New York City.  Following a building boom in which developers flooded the market with office space in newly constructed towers, tenants are hard to come by.  According to the NY Times, many tenants who signed deals in 2007 are seeking to abandon their prime office space.  Part of the problem is that the hedge funds have become defunct, leaving the prime real estate locations in the city.  While only 20 Million square feet have been built in this decade according to CB Richard Ellis, supply is finally catching up with demand.

 

SIS International Market Research.  US Real Estate Market Research

Generation Y surprisingly upbeat about the future

Generation Y is one of the hardest hit generations in the recession.   Surprisingly, the generation is optimistic.  According to a recent survey by Experience, 50% of US Gen Y respondents believe that their job prospects are optimistic.  Experience’s Survey also shows that 25% believe that the media are presenting an excessively negative job outlook. Only a third believe that their career development will suffer due to lack of opportunity. Surprisingly, only about 30% of Gen Y feels they should work longer hours and take on more projects for job security.

What industries are Gen Y young people interested in?

China’s Desire to Ditch the Dollar as World Currency

China’s central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan has written a rare essay about his desire for a world currency, other than the dollar, to be be administered by the IMF.  His rationale is that the world is no longer “unipolar,” implying that the US no longer a single superpower.