Exam 4: Managing Marketing Information to Gain Customer Insights

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following question(s). Jason West, owner of A1 Cleaning, started his enterprise in 2001. Jason's primary focus had been on office cleaning for large corporations. But in recent months, Jason has seen a decline in demand for his office cleaning services. Surprisingly, the competitive environment appeared relatively stable with no new competitors. However, Jason knew that office cleaning was a high-frequency service that is usually performed daily; therefore, competitors must have been doing something to attract his customers. Building a competitive advantage seemed to be the only option to offset competition. But as Jason pondered over his dilemma, he realized that prior to building his competitive advantage he needed to better understand how customers assessed service quality and what they look for in a superior cleaning service. Jason developed a research plan. First, he gathered information about his competitors, primarily through pamphlets and Web sites, as well as through a few phone calls in order to find out exactly what the competitors offered in their cleaning packages. In addition, Jason obtained from the Chamber of Commerce an updated list of local corporations. He planned on sending written questionnaires to them. Though the list of corporations contained 141 local company names, Jason chose to survey 75 of them. To better understand customer service expectations between both small and large corporations, Jason divided his surveys into two categories. The survey questions were designed to extract specific data from respondents with regard to service quality expectations in correlation to service frequency and price. Jason awaited the results. Though his primary focus had been on large corporations, he was flexible and would aim his efforts differently if needed. -The goal of competitive marketing intelligence is to evaluate and prevent high employee turnover.

Akira Takano, a marketing manager, is about to test the hypothesis that the sale of a particular product will increase exponentially if there is a $5 drop in the selling price of the product. Akira is involved in ________ research.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following question(s). Jason West, owner of A1 Cleaning, started his enterprise in 2001. Jason's primary focus had been on office cleaning for large corporations. But in recent months, Jason has seen a decline in demand for his office cleaning services. Surprisingly, the competitive environment appeared relatively stable with no new competitors. However, Jason knew that office cleaning was a high-frequency service that is usually performed daily; therefore, competitors must have been doing something to attract his customers. Building a competitive advantage seemed to be the only option to offset competition. But as Jason pondered over his dilemma, he realized that prior to building his competitive advantage he needed to better understand how customers assessed service quality and what they look for in a superior cleaning service. Jason developed a research plan. First, he gathered information about his competitors, primarily through pamphlets and Web sites, as well as through a few phone calls in order to find out exactly what the competitors offered in their cleaning packages. In addition, Jason obtained from the Chamber of Commerce an updated list of local corporations. He planned on sending written questionnaires to them. Though the list of corporations contained 141 local company names, Jason chose to survey 75 of them. To better understand customer service expectations between both small and large corporations, Jason divided his surveys into two categories. The survey questions were designed to extract specific data from respondents with regard to service quality expectations in correlation to service frequency and price. Jason awaited the results. Though his primary focus had been on large corporations, he was flexible and would aim his efforts differently if needed. -Of the 141 companies on the list, Jason chose to survey only 75 of them. He sent surveys to both small as well as large companies. If Jason selected survey recipients randomly from two mutually exclusive groups comprising of small and large companies respectively, he most likely used a ________.

For her current research project, Margaret Rogers wants to select a sample in which every member has a known and equal chance of selection. In other words, Margaret is looking for a ________.

Consumers who mistrust marketing research are more likely to ________.

The market researchers at HoneyCamp Foods gather daily sales data and sort it by product line and region. With the help of sophisticated tools and techniques, they develop the data needed by marketing managers to evaluate the market share of the company's different products and also to gain valuable market insights. This mix of people and procedures at HoneyCamp Foods that generate actionable marketing insights represents a(n) ________.

The real value of marketing research lies in the customer insights that it provides.

Describe the three decisions involved in designing a sample.

While looking for ideas on how to craft a user-friendly dishwasher, the designers of a dishwasher-manufacturing company spent 10 days observing people as they used their dishwashers in their homes. In this instance, the designers were conducting a(n) ________.

Since secondary data provide a good starting point for research and often help define problems and research objectives, companies do not need to collect primary data.

Redrunners Inc., a manufacturer of sports merchandise, is gathering customer opinions about the firm's new sports shoe line. A team of researchers in the company invited eight regular customers to talk about the new line of shoes, asking why they chose to buy the shoe and what they disliked most about its design. A moderator was present to monitor the discussion. Which of the following types of contact methods is Redrunners using?

Experimental research is best suited for gathering descriptive information.

________ consists of inviting 6 to 10 people to meet with a trained moderator to talk about a product, service, or organization.

Kinger Burgers came out with a new hamburger and, before including it into its main menu, released it in two different cities with two different prices. The marketers at Kinger Burgers then analyzed the different levels of purchase made at these two different places, planning to use the information to help them set a nationwide price for the new offering. This is an example of ________.

While creating research questionnaires, researchers must particularly AVOID the use of ________.

Which of the following refers to a nonprobability sample in which the researcher uses his or her evaluation techniques to select population members who are good prospects for accurate information?

Why do some consumers resent marketing research?

________ involves gathering primary data by closely examining relevant people, actions, and situations.

Which form of marketing research involves talking with people in their homes or offices, on the street, or in shopping malls?

Often, international researchers must collect their own primary data because ________.