News

QR codes not hitting the spot

Many marketing people have been promoting the value of QR codes for quite a while. After all, the promise seems obvious – post a targeted code somewhere, make it easy for someone to reach the website, and track the results of different campaigns. Studies such as this February 2011 survey from Baltimore based agency MGH [Read More]

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Impact of cell phones on 2010 Midterms and beyond politics

Whether you are a political junkie or not, recent articles and analysis about mobile phones as part of data collection should be of interest to those who design or commission survey research. Cost, bias, and predictability are key issues. In years gone by, cell phone users were rarely included in surveys. There was uncertainty about [Read More]

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Why you should run statistical tests

A recent article in the Seattle Times covering a poll by Elway Research gives me an opportunity to discuss statistical testing. The description of the methodology indicates, as I’d expect, that the poll was conducted properly to achieve a representative sample: About the poll: Telephone interviews were conducted by live, professional interviewers with 405 voters [Read More]

Hyatt’s “random acts of generosity” – good idea or off target?

Sunday’s New York Times Magazine has an article about a new program being introduced by the Hyatt hotel chain intended to stimulate real loyalty in the form of future business through gratitude generated by generous acts such as having a bar tab waived randomly. It isn’t totally clear how closely the new program is associated [Read More]

SurveyMonkey acquired – what does this mean?

SurveyMonkey is being acquired by an investor group. Dave Goldberg, who previously led Yahoo’s music business, will take over as CEO, but founders Ryan (current CEO) and Chris Finley will remain with the company according to the news. The company will be opening an office in Menlo Park, CA, where Goldberg is based. From the [Read More]

I have come to know both Mike and Stefan as creative, thoughtful, and very diligent research consultants. They were always willing to go further to make sure respondents remained engaged and any research results were applicable and of immediate use to us here at Bellevue CE. They were partners and thought leaders on the project. I am happy to recommend them to any public sector client.

Radhika Seshan, Ph.DRadhika Seshan, Ph.D, Executive Director of Programs Continuing Education Bellevue College

I hired Mike to develop, execute and report on a market research project involving a potential business opportunity. I was impressed with his ability to learn the industry and subsequently develop a framework for the market research project. He was able to execute the research and collect data efficiently and effectively. Throughout the project, he kept me abreast of the progress to allow for any adjustments as needed. The quality and quantitative output of the results exceeded my expectations and provided me with more confidence in the direction of the business opportunity.

Mike ClaudioVice President Marketing and Business DevelopmentWizard InternationalSeattle

Since becoming our contracted consultant for market research services in 2010, 5 Circles Research has revolutionized our annual survey of consumer opinion in Washington. Through the restructuring of survey methodology and the application of new analytical tools, they have provided insights that are both wider in their scope and deeper in their relevance for understanding consumer values and behavior. As a result, the survey has increased its significance as a planning and evaluation tool for our entire state agency. 5 Circles does great work!

Blair ThompsonDirector of Consumer CommunicationsWashington Dairy Products Commission

Profiting from customer satisfaction and loyalty research

Business people generally know that satisfying customers is a good thing, but they don’t necessarily understand the link between satisfaction and profits. This is partly because much of the original work was done so long ago that contradictory cases and nuances have created confusion to build up. Additionally, some companies have appeared successful for a [Read More]

Van Westendorp pricing (the Price Sensitivity Meter)

This is a follow up to classes I taught that included a short section on pricing research methodologies. I promised some more details on the Van Westendorp approach, in part because information available online may be confusing, or worse. This article is intended to be a practitioner’s guide for those conducting their own research. [Read More]

Methow Valley Ski Trails gets pricing right

The Methow Valley is a remote area in Eastern Washington State. It’s a destination recreation area year-round, and even more so in the winter when the North Cascades Highway is closed making a circular drive impossible. I’ve enjoyed skiing the trails in the Methow Valley on a number of occasions, and on a recent visit [Read More]

Dutch ovens: paying a lot more means better value

An article on Dutch ovens in the September/October 2018 of Cook’s Illustrated gives food for thought (pun intended) about the relationship of between price and value. Sometimes higher value for a buyer means paying a lot more money – good news for the seller too. Dutch ovens (also known as casseroles or cocottes) are multipurpose, [Read More]