DOT drug Consent Form Image

What is Dot Drug Testing

Several millions of individuals rely on public transport all over the world. People use this public transportation to go from one place to another, be it within a city or state. Our families, friends, co-workers, and other acquaintances safety are dependent on the person who operates the public vehicles. They must be therefore ensured of not being drug addicts or from any criminal background. This is why drug testing is critical in the public transport industry. A DOT drug test is one such test that is government regulated to ensure the safety of the citizens. Contant NTA,Inc for DOT Drug Testing.

What is the DOT drug testing?

DOT or Department of Transportation has regulated a drug test to ensure this industry to be alcohol and drug-free, referred to as the DOT drug test.

US congress regulated an omnibus transportation employee testing act in 1991. This act directed the department of transportation and its agencies to implement alcohol and drug testing for their employees. This was in view to sustain the travel safety of the workers and the public.

The procedures and rules of drug screening are listed under CFR-Code of federal regulations Title 49 or Part 40. US coast guard and DOT has specific regulations that are valid to the industry. It clearly states the person who has to be tested, under what circumstances, and when.

Difference between a DOT drug test and a regular drug test

The two primary differences are:

  • DOT tests use urine samples, while a regular drug test can be carried out using hair, urine, or saliva.
  • DOT test makes use of the Federal drug testing CCF, also known as Control and Custody Form.

Who needs to get DOT test?

Anyone who is “safety-sensitive” and is an employee of the department of transportation should get tested for alcohol and drugs, according to DOT regulations.

Who is a safety-sensitive employee?

Any employee who has a job with DOT and can harm the safety of himself and the public is a safety-sensitive employee.

Which departments of DOT can come under these positions?

  • Federal aviation administration- Employees include flight attendants, ground security, flight crews, dispatchers in aircraft, and so on.
  • US coast guard- All crew members who run a commercial vessel.
  • Federal motor carrier safety administration– Employees include CDL-commercial driver’s license holders operating CMVs-commercial motor vehicles, automobiles transporting inflammable materials, and carrying over 16 passengers. They need a DOT placard.
  • Pipeline and hazardous materials safety administration– Workers involved in maintenance, operations, and emergency services.
  • Federal transit administration-Mechanics, vehicle drivers, armed security, and controllers.
  • Federal railroad administration-Workers are operating train and engine, signal service, train dispatchers, and others.

Why only industry-specific employees for the DOT drug test?

When taking public transportation to visit someone or for work or flying from one coast to another for any business meeting, you keep your life’s safety in the hands of the operator of the transport and other people of the department. This test assures travelers that they are safe traveling with them, and they take it as their responsibility.

What is DOT drug testing, and what do they test for?

DOT test requests your employer to carry out a drug screening while you have to undergo physical DOT. A DOT drug test makes use 5-panel test. These drug test screens for drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, phencyclidine, opiates, and marijuana. Amphetamines that include MDMA and methamphetamine, Opioids include morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, heroin, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone. DOT drug tests are regulated to be carried out by using urine samples.

What is DOT drug testing- How is drug test administered through urine?

There are three steps involved in a DOT drug test. These steps are:

  • Urine collection
  • Lab testing
  • The medical officer did review

DOT drug testing includes the following steps.

  • A specimen collector will check for a photo ID that is valid and current. It can be the employer issued ID, driver’s license, or passport. This is to verify your details.
  • Secure the collection area by access restriction, water sources accessibility, and securing cleaning fluids.
  • Privacy to specimen unless any rule exception to adulteration.
  • Check for unnecessary items or garments by emptying your pocket.
  • A sealed collection kit is handed over after opening it in your presence.
  • After collection, pour it into two different bottles and seal them in front of you.
  • Details of name, DOB, time are provided by you.
  • Finish the documentation.
  • Give you a CCF copy and ship the sealed bottles to CCF.
  • Send it to the lab for tests
  • Once the medical officer receives the report, paperwork is accurately checked.
  • For a negative result, report to a DER-designated employer representative.
  • For a positive result, an interview is set up with you for any legitimate reason medically and, if not, send the report to DER.

What is DOT drug testing- When should the employees take this test?

A DOT drug test is carried on safety-sensitive employees. It is taken:

  • Before beginning your job or pre-employment.
  • When there’s a cause or suspicion that you may be under drugs influence.
  • When any of the trained supervisors suspects or believes the influence.
  • Any observations of concerning behavior, smell, speech, or appearance.
  • Random tests on each of the employees through random selection. Usually finished quarterly.
  • When returning to duty after any drug violation or any rules related to alcohol consumption, testing is done.
  • On return to duty, the employee may be subjected to testing without prior information for about 6 times in the initial year. The testing is carried out under observation.
  • SAP-Substance Abuse Professional handles your follow up a return to duty testing. This is done for 5 years. Depending on the substance and times of testing, this testing is done. This is taken along with other testing needed by DOT.
  • When an employee gets into an accident or is involved in any such criteria, post-accident DOT testing is done. A drug test is carried out within 32 hours and an alcohol test below 8 hours of the occurred accident.

Failing DOT drug test

When you fail the regulated DOT drug test, the employer who hired you must eliminate you from any DOT safety-sensitive work. You are not eligible to perform any such job activities. You may lose your license/certification, too, based on your employment agreement or business policy.

Conclusion

DOT drug testing is carried to safety-sensitive employees to ensure the safety of the lives of the travelers of public transportation, flights, and other means. It is regulated and tested by the collection of urine samples. DOT drug testing ensures the safety of the drivers and the passengers who entrust them their lives.

Advanced Packaging Products – At a Glance

Advanced packaging product involves a standard grouping of various distinctive techniques such as 2.5D, fan-out wafer-level package, system-in-package, and 3D-IC.

Conventional industries depended upon the innovative architectures and conventional chips scaling for a new device. In the case of chip scaling, the notion was to pack additional transistors on a system-on-a-chip or a Monolithic die at every process node. This enabled a faster chip at a lower cost for each transistor. However, the traditional chip scaling was becoming more expensive and difficult at every node.

The driving force for Advanced Packaging Solutions & Products Inc. is positively correlated with the popular Moore’s Law. The wires and transistors shrink, and the length of distance that signals require to travel or to transmit from one part of a chip to another over thin wires increases at every node. These chips are connected together by using thicker pipes that are available in the form of interposers, through-silicon vias, simple wires, or bridges. The signal’s speed can be raised and the energy amount needed to drive the signals can be diminished. Moreover, based on the type of package, there can be lesser physical effects and the components that are produced at different nodes can be combined.

Advanced packaging approaches are being used for wide-ranging products. However, the initial concern about time and cost continues to slow down the process of adoption. EDA firms have developed new tools that automate the process of advanced packaging and OSATs are continually refining these processes, making it less expensive and more predictable.

There are various methods by which a chip design can be implemented using heterogeneous integration. The issue with advanced packaging products is the cost factor since the technology still remains really expensive for various niche applications. The companies mentioned below have introduced new packaging technologies which are most likely to address this problem of high cost and also other challenges in this field –

  • ASE has described high-density fan-out technology which supports HBM or high bandwidth memory.
  • Leti and STMicroelectronics jointly have described the 3D packaging technology by using chiplets. The idea of using chiplets involved a list of modular chips in the library. These chiplets can be integrated into a package by using a die-to-die interconnection scheme.
  • TSMC has described details about the next generation 3D Technology and fan-out Technology.

Flip-chip and Wirebond

There was a time when IC packaging was not popular in the industry of semiconductor. The packaging was simple and the cost of packaging was the lowest. However, the advancements enabled chips to have the smaller form factor and this paved their way to an advanced form of heterogeneous integration. If one wants high-performance, he will require different packages that have more I/Os. Worth mentioning there is no single full package that meets all the requirements of both markets.

There is another way by which one can segment the market of packaging and that is by the interconnect type. This includes flip-chip, wire-bond, wafer-level packaging, and TVS or through-silicon vias.

Wire bonder stitches 1 chip to another or substrate by using small wires. The wire bonding process is used in low-cost legacy packaging, memory dies stacking, and mid-range packages.

For processors, however, the wirebond does not offer enough I/Os. Hence, a flip-chip is more superior than a wire bond when it comes to increasing that number. Fan-out on the other hand is in between the two in terms of the I/Os whereas, the 2.5D and 3D are at a far superior end.

Fan-out, Chiplets, 2.5D/3D

Just after the flip-chip, the next that came in the I/O hierarchy was the fan-out. It has recently gained a lot of attention after Apple started using info fan-out packages of TSMC for their iPhones. The package integrates the application processor of Apple and the third-party memory of the same unit. This enables more I/Os compared to other types of packages.

Fan-out does not need an interposer which is why it is much cheaper compared to the 2.5D and 3D technologies. The packaging of the dies is done on a wafer and hence it is known as a wafer-level package. It is split into 2 segments namely, low and high density. The low-density fan-out is used mainly for power management and the high-density fan-out is used for smartphones and servers.

One of the major culprits is the DRAM, the data rates of which seem to have been lacking, especially in the requirements of memory bandwidth. The solution to this problem is HBM or high-bandwidth memory which loads DRAM dies one above the other and connects it with the TSVs. This enables more bandwidth and I/Os.

Generally, the HBM is added in the 2.5D package where the dies are placed of stacked side-by-side on an interposer. The interposer behaves like a bridge between the board and the chips.

Typically, the 2.5D or 3D is very costly the HBM relegated for most of the high-end applications. Moreover, the fan-out packaging with HBM has more advantages over the 2.5D and 3D such as the electrical performance in fan-out which is far superior to the latter.

When it comes to chiplets, there are some challenges too, faced by the industry. The packaging is implemented most commonly in the high-end applications and that has generally brought down the costs.

Integrating the chiplets into the package is not an easy task. The lithography challenges increase as more individual chiplets are used in completing one single package. This leads to interconnect overlays and involves the process of TSV for chip interconnect and the productivity or system throughput which provides the required technical solution at a cheaper cost.

For a heterogeneous integration, the requirements of quality for the devices being integrated are rising rapidly. The requirements are demanding for a more accurate die screening, the value of and the number of ICs put together into a system-in-package is also increasing. For die-level and wafer-level, the subtle or small defects that were previously acceptable have now become unacceptable with the incorporation of the dies in complicated, multi-device packages. The whole heterogenous package can be ruined with just 1 die in the system-in-package.

Biotech Recruiters And The Available Opportunities

Choosing a career is a very exciting but difficult task. There are many different areas from which a person can choose how they want to spend most of their life. It is important to choose a career that allows you to maximize your unique talents and skills. Sometimes professional researchers should step back to see what the future holds. For many of these people, a career in biotechnology seems to be the answer. Here we will look at biotech recruiters at Biotech Partners and the opportunities available in biotechnology so that you can better understand what exactly this career is about and what opportunities arise from choosing this career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU_EsiaaUGU

If you are aiming for a career in biotechnology, you may choose to enter the branch of science, which is responsible for taking basic living things like cells and generating new objects that benefit the quality of human life. Taking a job in biotechnology means participating in the development of new products and processes for the benefit of humanity and the quality of life. Before seriously considering a career in biotechnology, you must have a thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, and other life science areas.

Biotechnology also has far-reaching effects in other different areas, including human health care where inherited diseases, cancer, heart disease, and AIDS are recognized and treated. In veterinary medicine, animal science and animal production, and in agriculture and physiology. A biotechnology company has several departments, each carrying out different tasks and functions. The biotech recruiters focus on finding individuals who have relevant skills and qualifications in filling these positions.

Careers in research and development:

Like any other business, a biotechnology company needs a qualified research team to represent its future. While some research may focus on an application, some may be done to acquire new knowledge that may not need to be applied immediately. Researchers can also work in academic settings such as universities or company facilities. Most importantly, research and product developments are the foundation and foundation of any biotechnology configuration.

Careers in production and quality control:

Biotechnology companies need employees with in-depth knowledge of technical or industrial manufacturing technologies in production and manufacturing. To ensure that finished products meet specifications, a quality assurance group or quality assurance team takes care of the production, research, and development process. This group of experts belongs to the Quality Control department.

Manager career:

Biotechnology companies need managers who can monitor the operation of the business, for example, in production, Research and development, and quality control. These people often hold doctorate-level scientists who have found their way through successes or special successes. Sometimes they also have business training and experience.

Careers in marketing and marketing:

A biotech company requires these professionals to help in the marketing research and conducting analysis of the marketing research data. They also help in assessing and estimating the needs for a certain product, and it would be sold. They advertise, promote, and try to find new markets for products that have already been sold. Sellers negotiate directly with consumers by selling, receiving feedback, etc., and are the most visible representatives of the biotechnology company.

Career Regulatory Affairs

A professional with expertise in this field is required by the biotech recruiter because all biotechnology companies, especially agricultural and pharmaceutical companies, are regulated by federal and state authorities such as the FDA, USDA, and EPA regarding safety, ethics, etc. For manufacturing and products, they need a team of experts and specialists to ensure that the company complies with all the regulations set by these agencies.

Legal career:

An invention or discovery is not immune to copyright infringement without the corresponding patent. As biotechnology companies and businesses are constantly on the lookout for new and better products, they need people with legal expertise to prepare the patent application or to monitor patent laws.

A career in public relations, communication, and training:

Biotechnology recruiters know that their companies must be able to communicate information to the public or other authorities in a language they understand because biotechnology mainly uses technical terms. They must also be able to convince others of the credibility and usefulness of their products. As the company grows, its field of recruitment increases. This would mean the need for more training and development of staff, and therefore more trainers.

Why Hire a Professional pest control company

Pest control can be termed as eradication of animal or insect infestation in a certain residence. Regardless of your country of origin, there are dominant types of pests that will invade your home. Pest infestations have a number of negative effects such as contamination, damage of property, and the creation of an unfavorable atmosphere. In addition, pests cause sickness. Therefore, no one likes pests around the home. However, pest eradication isn’t an easy task, as many individuals may think. Some pests may need professional pest control companies because they come in great numbers, or they are too strong. You should choose a reputable pest control company because they have the right chemicals and equipment to control stubborn pests. Hiring the right pest control company will not only save your fruitful time but also your money in the long-run. Below are different types of pests and animals that need a professional pest control company.

Types of Pests

  • Bedbugs
  • Roaches
  • Bees
  • Ants
  • Termites

Types of Animals

  • Rats
  • Mice
  • Bats
  • Frogs
  • Moles
  • Squirrels
  • Birds

Choosing an experienced pest control company is beneficial because they will investigate to identify the root cause of the pests. This will help them eradicate the pest in a strategical way. Trained and qualified pest control experts offer quality and reliable services. The key reason behind this is that they understand where to treat, know how to handle an infestation, they have been in the field for quite some time, and they have a good reputation. A pest control service is an excellent idea if you’re opting to protect your home against pests.

Key Reasons For Hiring Pest Control Services

1. Hazard

It’s a great idea to hire pest control experts because they have a good understanding of this field. Doing it yourself may cost you a lot because you may cause more harm than cure. For instance, you may mishandle some harmful chemicals which may negatively affect your respiratory system or cause food poisoning. Pest control technicians have enough experience in using various chemical products to control the pest. Recently, pest control firms are going green to minimize environmental pollution.

2. Time and Flexibility

Doing it yourself waste much of your valuable time because you lack the required skills. Pest control company Virginia Beach provides quality work in the given time. The right pest control company will employ the proper chemical product at the required time. This is the key to success in this field.

3. Customized Plans

The provision of the best protection techniques plays a crucial role when protecting your home from invaders. Expert service providers will set their objectives and plans that will satisfy your tastes and preferences. Due to their expertise, they will consider some key factors, such as the level of infestation, type of pest, long-term prevention, and size of your home.

4. Risks

It’s not a good idea to perform the task on your own because you may use the wrong pest elimination method. It’s, therefore, fundamental to hire expert service providers because they clearly know how to deal with various types of pests. In addition, professionals will ensure that your family is safe from harmful chemicals that can cause illnesses. The right pest control company will save much of your time, which can be used in a productive way in your area of specialization.

5. Cost Minimization

For instance, if pests destroy your property, you’ll have to spend a considerable amount of money on repairs and maintenance practices. A reputable pest control company will perform a thorough pest inspection to identify the right chemicals and tools to use. Hiring an experienced service provider will save your money in the long-run.

Tips For Choosing the Best Pest Control Service

1. Treatment Method

The best service provider will perform an in-depth inspection to identify the source of pest infestation, the type of pest, and the extend of the problem. An expert pest control company will, therefore, plan on the best approach to use so as to give the best outcome.

2. Excellent Reputation

The best pest control company will have a good track record. Pest control companies in Virginia Beach have dealt with various pest infestations. They have good reviews and ratings from their clients due to high quality work. If you’re selecting the best, ask your friends and colleagues if they know any experienced company. Short-list these companies by asking their customer service questions regarding the company.

3. Licensed

A licensed pest control company is recognized by pest control authorities or the local health department. Research shows that a licensed company has a high probability of providing quality services compared to unlicensed companies. Uncertified pest control companies are operating against the law. Therefore, their reputation is ruined. A licensed company will not only adhere to pest control rules but also the latest innovations and development in the industry.

4. Experience

An experienced pest control company will have more knowledge about this field. The key reason behind this is that they have dealt with various pests in the past. An experienced pest control firm will answer all your questions. A reliable company will not only be friendly to you but also provide you with more information. The best company will give you tips and guidelines to prevent further infestations in your home.

5. The Right Equipment

Recently, due to advanced technology, a reliable pest control company should have the latest equipment. You should consider not only their equipment but also their chemicals. Consider choosing a company that prefers organic chemicals to inorganic chemicals. The key reason behind this is that you’ll be conserving the environment. Also, you’ll be protecting your family members from health problems associated with pesticides.

Conclusion

Hiring pest control company Virginia Beach is important because they have the right skills and experience in this field. Expert service providers from Virginia Beach have the ability to assess the seriousness of the infestation and determine the right method to use. Hiring professionals will give you peace of mind because you’ll be guaranteed of quality services.

Know the benefits of employee sensitivity training for employees.

The present diverse workforce has become even more important for helping the organization to achieve its goals and objectives and for this the employees need to work comfortably with each other. But there are a huge difference with respect to the traditions, lifestyles, beliefs and backgrounds of the people working in the organization including the managers, employees and co-workers. This is the reason why employee sensitivity training has become increasingly important because it enables the employees to enjoy greater understanding of the differences that exists between one another. Moreover, this training has become even more important with the rise in the workplace issues regarding sensitivity, diversity and harassment. These live, engaging and interactive training sessions are considered as the best way of educating the employees about the corporate culture, influence behaviors and ensure that they will work together without any issues.

Employee sensitivity training is also considered as the most popular organizational development technique that helps in increasing the well being of the employees. It also helps in increasing the self awareness of the people working in the organization when it comes to dealing with the sensitivity and prejudices to other workers. This training is especially designed for fostering a culture of integrity, respect and accountability towards the people working together in a company. This is the best way of improving the workplace culture so that any instances of cultural differences will be eliminated greatly. Moreover, it also helps the employees to become aware of their behavior towards other employees who are different in the age, gender, race, color, sexual orientation and ethnicity and thoughts. The modern workplace is becoming more tolerant than before and this is because of the sensitivity training where they are taught to become more sensitive towards the other people. This training also allows the employees to get a better understanding about their role in the organization and those people who are working along with them. If the employer wants to build a safe as well as an inclusive environment for all the employees to work together as a team then the importance of sensitivity training cannot be underestimated. With the better understating among the employees, there will be an increase in profit and productivity of the workers. This will eventually help in increasing the retention rate and reducing high turnover so that no employees will leave the company due to discrimination and conflicts. After the training is completed, each employee will feel respected and welcomed so that they will work together with other for solving the problems affecting the organization.

Employee sensitivity training is very beneficial for the success of every organization that it helps the employees to interact with other people without discrimination regardless of their cultures and backgrounds. The training has a positive impact on the multicultural work environment because it prevents employees’ conflicts and increases cultural competency. The incidents of retaliation, harassment and discrimination between the employees will be reduced considerably after the training schedule so that the organization will have a peaceful work environment. The unfair assumptions and stereotypes that are ingrained in the minds of the employees will be eliminated as they will become more tolerant towards each other. Among other important topics, sexual harassment is a common issue that arises in the workplace and with the right training; these incidents can be reduced considerably. Additionally, the employees will become more empathic and understanding to the other employees after completing the training so that human interactions will be carried on with any kind of conflicts. The training is also used for unfreezing the old values of the employees so that they don’t have a biased opinion about any other employees. The training is done with small group of employees who are thoroughly trained in unstructured group by a trainer who uses examples for making the concepts clear. This will also help in development of the new values and it will have a strong impact on the interpersonal behavior of the employees undertaking the training. The benefits of the training are that the employees will also develop emotional intelligence so that they can become more sensitive towards the other employees. It will also help them to manage their emotions and be good to other working with them.

Charlotte Deck Builders- benefits of hiring the best professionals.

Decks are considered as a popular choice among homeowners who are opting for decks for enhancing their outdoor space and making it look even more attractive. But you need to make sure that the deck is designed and planned carefully so that you will enjoy getting additional space for entertainment and relaxation. Hence for this, you will need to hire experienced and skilled Charlotte deck builders who will put in efforts for constructing a high-quality deck at your property. Hiring the right kind of professional will guarantee that your deck will last longer and you will not have to spend additional money for its replacement. Moreover, you will not have to put in a lot of time and effort into the maintenance of the deck so that you will invest your time in other productive tasks.

There are many benefits of hiring Charlotte deck builders and the most important benefit is that these professionals will follow the correct installation process of the deck. This will enhance the longevity and functionality of the deck so that it will help you to enjoy yourself with your family at this additional outdoor space. These professionals will offer their best quality work for making sure that you will get up to date look and quality of the deck that will impress your guests and visitors. Whether you want to relax in the deck to entertain your guests, you should hire the best deck builder after proper research so that you can hire the right kind of professionals. These professionals will offer a high-quality deck installation service so that the overall value of your property will be increased greatly. You also have the option of selecting the decking material as it should be according to your tastes and preferences. It should be within your budget for making sure that your outdoor space will be a gathering place for you and your family members. You should select the features and elements in your deck for making sure that it will reflect your style and personality to the fullest. The kind of deck that you need should be designed according to the purpose for which you want this outdoor space. You should never try doing any kind of installation work yourself because it might cause injuries and accidents. But it is always advisable that you hire professional deck builders who have been working for deck installation for a long period of time. Apart from improving the overall look and beauty of your outdoor space, the deck can also improve your mental health and well being. You will be able to spend more time outdoors which is very important for making your more active and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Having your own deck can be very beneficial for you and your family because this space will increase the value of your home while helping you earn a higher return on your investment. But you should always seek the assistance and guidance of skilled deck builders who have been working in this field from the past many years. They will also make sure that your deck is installed in a safe manner so that it does not pose any risks to the homeowners and will also complete the project successfully. Additionally, these deck builders also have the expertise and know-how that is needed for the correct installation of the deck that will suit your requirements. They will never make any mistake pertaining to the deck installation so that you can rest assured that you will get a host of benefits along with your family members. This amazing addition to your property in the form of the deck will help you enjoy its benefits for many years. You will not have to face space constraints because the deck can add valuable space to the outdoors without much of an effort. Therefore, it is very important that you hire someone who has the experience and knowledge in deck building for helping you get the best quality decks here. You should look for a reliable and reputable deck company that offers the right kind of professionals for high-quality services. This is the best way of improving your outdoor space so that you can spend some quality time with your loved ones in the open space.

Is Marketing Research Important for Small Business Owners?

Is Marketing Research Important for Small Business Owners?

Simply put, YES! Marketing research is important for small business owners, large business owners, corporations, and really all businesses. Keep reading to find out why! But first, what is market research?

What is Marketing Research?

According to Entrepreneur, marketing research is defined as the process of gathering, analyzing and interpreting information about a market, about a product or a service to be offered for sale in that market, and about the past, present and potential customers for the product or service; research into characteristics, spending habits, location and needs of your businesses target market, the industry as a whole, and the particular competitors you face. Marketing research is the foundation of any successful company and Is utilized in many capacities from identifying market opportunities and problems to making well-informed decisions. Marketers conduct research to make well-informed decisions, evaluate market actions, define opportunities and challenges, monitor performance, and improve the understanding of the company’s marketing process.

Why is Marketing Research Important?

Marketing research is used to identify problem areas in your business; it is essential to conduct market research because the results of your research provide your company with the necessary information to make a well-informed decision. As a marketer or business owner, it is vital to understand your customers and the conditions of the market. Marketing research can be conducted to acquire the information you need to gain insights. Utilizing research allows small businesses to gain insights into their customers, potential customers, industry, product/services, and market. This information, if utilized appropriately, can be beneficial and can help you enhance your marketing efforts and grow your business.

Marketing research will provide small business owners with ample amounts of data that can be utilized to enhance their business, boost sales, generate leads or customers, and become more competitive in their market. It is essential to conduct research to ensure that your money is being spent in the right place and is providing a return on your investment. Marketing research is also used to optimize marketing campaigns to ensure your business is targeting the right buyers, at the right time, with the right content. Are you targeting the right market? You won’t know if you don’t conduct research. But, what data should you collect to conduct your marketing research?

What data is used to conduct marketing research?

It is essential to consider what type of data you should collect in order to obtain the appropriate information you are looking for. Often your business already has the data you need from other areas in your business, such as sales reports. If you don’t already have this information readily available, you need to know where to go looking for it. Most information is available on the internet or at the local library, but not all, so it is necessary to determine where to begin your research.

Marketing research utilizes two types of data sources:

1. Primary:

Primary data is data focused on specific decisions and is usually obtained from an outside source. These sources include experiments, interviews, surveys, and more.

2. Secondary:

Secondary data is data that has previously been collected within your company for another purpose, such as financial/sales/industry reports, and is typically cheaper and faster than collecting primary data.

 

Further, these data sources can be broken down into two types:

1. Quantitative:

Quantitative data is data collected to quantify data and compare numbers to conduct a statistical analysis. Quantitative information is presented in the form of numbers or percentages to develop and understanding.

2. Qualitative:

Qualitative data is collected to understand the reasoning behind an action and to answer the question of why something is happening. Qualitative data are presented in the form of words to recommend a course of action.

It is essential for small business owners and all business owners, for that matter, to have an understanding of the market to enhance their business opportunities, growth, generate new customers, establish effective marketing tactics, and more. Accurate market research is the foundation of a successful business and provides insights that can be utilized to your advantage.

Is Market Research Useful for a Small Business?

Wondering if market research is important for your small scale business? Stuck between choosing qualitative, quantitative or statistical sampling methods? You have stumbled upon the correct blog to answer all your questions.

People dealing in small business have to manage a lot of day-to-day operations. Thus making time for market research is difficult, especially when you have to learn about the whole process of market research. But it becomes necessary to keep a check on the audience periodically; otherwise, revenue could be lost. For a business venture to be successful, accurate information is required. Information about the existing customer base and the competition prevailing around the industry, in general, is an important aspect. It helps the business owners to determine the feasibility of the business before they make any commitments relating to substantial resources being used in the venture.

Effective market research helps to get inside the customer’s head. What kind of marketing research is to be used depends upon the availability of budget. It is tricky to find out which kind of market research would be suitable for the available time and cost investment.

What is Market Research?

Market research is an important tool to assist in business planning. It is the process of collecting information which provides an insight into the customer’s way of thinking, buying patterns and location. Market research helps to monitor the market trends and keep an open eye towards what your competition is doing.

It is the process by which information about the market is gathered, analyzed and interpreted. It helps in solving the marketing challenges that a business is most likely to encounter. The process of market segmentation and product differentiation is impossible to be conducted without a properly developed market research strategy.

Types of Data in Market Research

Primary information

Primary research helps in gathering two types of basic information which are either explanatory or specific. Explanatory research is an open ended research. It helps to define a specific problem and involves detailed and unstructured interviews in which lengthy answers are asked for from a small group of respondents. Whereas specific research is precise in scope and is used to solve a problem that exploratory research has identified. Comparatively, specific research is more expensive than exploratory research. Primary research is targeted to the group by using resources such as direct mail, telephone and personal interviews.

Secondary information

This type of research uses information gathered by government agencies, trade associations, labour unions, media sources, industry associations and chambers of commerce. This information is usually printed on pamphlets, newsletters, magazines and trade publications.

Advantages of Conducting Market Research

  • Helps in identifying potential new customers
  • Learn more about the existing customers
  • Have a better understanding of the competition
  • Test new markets
  • Identify new opportunities regarding performance, pricing and promotion
  • Communicate their decisions regarding existing and new products or services

Why is Market Research Important for Small Businesses?

Helps in spotting business opportunities

Once the market research has been conducted, it becomes crystal clear as to which section of the society the business wants to target and what kind of goods or service they are reaching out for. Sometimes approaching other small businesses becomes mutually beneficial when the joint promotion is carried out. Knowing about the other products and services which the customers can buy helps in coming up with additions to the existing one.

Business risk is reduced

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of the businesses around the world don’t make it past the fifth year. Thus, to ensure that the business survives longer in the market, proper research about the customers and sales has to be done, which can be done only through market research. Regular market research needs to be conducted so that they can keep a check on the current and the upcoming potential customers.

Decision making becomes easier

Market research becomes an important part when tough business decisions are being made. The market research report can be used while making decisions. Decisions – such as where to spend advertising and marketing budget, opening a storefront in a new location, the price to be charged, and which products are to be discontinued – can be made with market research.

Create relevant promotional materials

Proper promotional materials need to be designed so that it would attract the eyes of the customers. To choose what type of text and images to add on the fliers, website, and social media accounts, thorough market research needs to be done to know exactly how to proceed. Since target customers have been identified and their needs properly recorded, it will become easier to know what to address and how to address when the marketing materials are being created.

Outsell competitors

A business which knows its customers more tends to capture the market. They can easily beat their competitors by fulfilling the demands of the customers in a better way and standing out in the market. To outsell competitors, market research can be used to target the dissatisfied customers and fulfil their unsatisfied needs.

Set better goals for the business

When targets are set out for the business, they are based upon the sales and customers. Without carrying out market research, it would become difficult to determine whether the goal is achievable or not. With the help of market research, it becomes simpler to determine the directions which the company has to follow to reach its goal.

Know where to advertise

Small business owners have budget constraints. Hence, it becomes very important for them to decide where to spend to optimise the maximum returns. Market research can help in identifying the intended audience and on which platform they would likely to see the passage being advertised.

Marketing research is an important task for a small business to be successful. It is very easy to begin with by gathering information about two things – the target customer and the competitors. One doesn’t have to get all the information at one go. The sentiments of the target customers keep changing over time. Thus, market research is an ongoing process that must keep a record of these. But a business must not forget about the proper execution while doing the research.

5 ways to improve your business with market research

Successful entrepreneurs use market research to keep up with trends, make better business decisions and maintain their company’s competitive edge. Regardless of whether you’re starting or expanding your business, research is vital to understanding your target markets and increasing sales.

Here are some specific areas where market research can help you build a stronger business.

1. Improve your branding

Many companies don’t have a good handle on their brand. They ask themselves: How do customers perceive us? How does our brand stack up against our competition?

You can use market research to improve your branding by exploring such subject as:

  • Brand awareness—Are customers aware and familiar with your brand?
  • Competitive comparisons—How do customers view your company compared to the competition?
  • Personification—What characteristics and traits do customers associate with your brand?

You can also survey customers to gather feedback on marketing content such as logos, brochures, websites, etc. Brand research is typically conducted by interviewing customers or organizing focus groups. In this way, you can explore different topics in-depth and get feedback from the participants. The results will help you develop brand positioning and improve your marketing assets.

2. Understand your customers better

Sometimes entrepreneurs need better information on the size of their market, their target customers and how best to reach them. We recently completed a study for a client who had developed a new kitchen product and wanted insights on her target market. Here are some of thing we wanted to find out about typical customers for this new product.

  • How old are they?
  • Are they male or female?
  • What is their marital status?
  • Do they have children?
  • Where do they live?
  • What is their level of education?
  • What kind of social media do they use?

We designed a questionnaire to be answered online by 1,000 consumers across Canada. This type of consumer study helps us to understand the profile of the target audience so that we can develop focused brand positioning. By focusing your efforts on the right target market, you can see faster results, improved efficiency and greater overall performance from your marketing campaigns.

3. Measure the effectiveness of your marketing

Lots of entrepreneurs want to do a better job promoting their companies and generating sales. Market research can help by providing information on the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. We can design studies to gather feedback from customers on the look and feel of your marketing messages. We can also measure customer awareness and reaction to specific marketing campaigns and activities.

Gathering this type of data can really help maximize your marketing budget by helping you design marketing that reaches and resonates with your audience.

4. Identify new opportunities

Market research can help you identify new market opportunities that might be available to your company. It can help identify geographic regions for expansion and/or test the market’s readiness for your new products or services.

For example, you could be looking to open a new retail store and need to find the right location. Or you may be planning to change your distribution channel and need to determine how the decision will affect your customer base.

To answer these questions, we could analyze existing data from government publications, Statistics Canada data and/or industry specific reports. These sources provide insights in such areas as:

  • Market size
  • Demographics
  • Market share statistics
  • Industry dynamics
  • Major industry suppliers
  • Key competitors
  • General industry data such as number of firms and their geographic distribution

Obtaining this type of market data is a necessary first step to help firmly “size up a new market” to determine the optimal business strategy and operations.

5. Get insights into product features

If you’ve come up with a new product or are improving an existing one, you will want to know whether you have the right features and packaging. Research will provide insights your company can use to refine your products before you commit to expensive production costs.

When we design new product research, we gather consumer feedback on a concept and/or a prototype. We also collect data on consumer reaction to the product and its features, including its look, design, usability, colours, packaging and other variables.

We might also ask how consumers would shop for this product to gather insights for a distribution plan. We can also ask for reactions to the marketing messages, creative content and promotional ideas that are planned for the product launch.

Typically, we’d start with qualitative research (interviews or focus groups) because this conversational format allows us to gather rich, in-depth feedback from consumers. If possible, we would provide a prototype or sample of the product for customers to touch and use.

After that, we would validate the research insights with comprehensive survey with a similar audience but a larger sample set (i.e. more than 100 consumers). By doing this, we will have rich data to make informed decisions on finalizing the product concept and/or design.

Market Research for Small Businesses

Market research is an essential tool for businesses of any size or industry to understand their target audience, identify customer needs and preferences, and gather information about their competitors. In a nutshell, market research helps businesses grow and succeed. This is a primary goal for small businesses, making market research integral to small businesses making data-driven decisions that will help them to grow and succeed in their industry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), almost 45% of new businesses fail during the first five years, and the biggest reasons for this are almost obvious: poor market fit, lack of funds, competition, lousy location, drastic market changes, and many others. Most of these challenges can be stymied by understanding customer needs and the market environment – which is what market research does.

Market research may look like an unnecessary step  that costs some money, time and effort yet looks dispensible for smaller businesses.  However, it is a basic step that may determine the business’s life. Conducting market research can be expensive and time-consuming, but not having proper data can lead to even costlier mistakes and a lack of understanding in the market, so it is critical to be able to invest in market research.

And market research doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In this article, we look at simple steps to conducting market research for small businesses and the important data that they can collect.

Steps to conducting market research

One of the first steps in conducting market research is to define the research objectives. This will help the business to focus on the specific information that they need to gather. The research objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and once the objectives have been defined, the business can choose the appropriate research methods to collect the data.

There are two main types of market research methods: primary and secondary research. Primary research is conducted by the business itself and can include surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This method allows the business to collect firsthand information from its target audience and gather their opinions and feedback. Secondary research, on the other hand, is conducted by using existing sources such as published reports and studies, government statistics, and industry publications.

After the data has been collected, it should be analyzed and interpreted to extract valuable insights. This can be done through statistical analysis, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis among other methods. Once the insights have been identified, they can inform critical business decisions such as product development, pricing strategy, and marketing efforts.

Types of market research data that small businesses can collect

There are several types of market research data that small businesses can collect in order better to understand their customers, target market, and industry. Some common types of market research data that small businesses should consider collecting include:

  • Demographic data: Information about the age, gender, income, education, and occupation of their customers and target market. This type of data can help a small business understand the needs and preferences of their target market and tailor their products or services accordingly.
  • Behavioral data: Information about how customers use a small business’s products or services, as well as their opinions and attitudes towards the business. This type of data can help a small business understand customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
  • Competitive data: Information about the products, services, and marketing strategies of a small business’s competitors. This type of data can help a small business understand its competitive landscape and identify opportunities for differentiation.
  • Sales data: Information about the sales of a small business’s products or services, including information about the number of customers, revenue, and profit. This type of data can help a small business understand its financial performance and identify areas for growth.
  • Social and Online data: With the help of different tools one can collect data from various social media platforms, reviews websites, ratings, searches, and other online data, which can be helpful in understanding how customers view the business, how they find the business, and how they engage with the business.
  • Surveys: One of the most potent tools of market research, surveys are a way to gather direct feedback from the customers, which can be used to improve products or services, customer satisfaction, and understanding of the target market.

The Bottomline

In conclusion, market research is a valuable tool that small businesses can use to gather important information about their target audience, competitors, and industry. By conducting market research, small businesses can make data-driven decisions that will help them to grow and succeed in their industry.

The Significance of Market Research to Small Business Owners

Market research is the process of gathering and analyzing information about customer groups, competitors, your industry and the general business environment. Whether a company is small or large, market research plays a vital role in decisions about what products or services to offer and how to sell them. A small business owner must make gathering market information an ongoing process and a high priority. He then can be more confident in the decisions he makes, knowing they were based on solid data rather than guesswork or hunches.

Assessing the Feasibility of a Venture

Before an entrepreneur launches a new venture, it is essential that he can state with confidence that the marketplace truly needs what he plans to offer — his products or services — and that there are enough potential customers to support the business and allow it to be profitable. Market research at the pre-launch stage involves the business owner talking to as many different experienced businesspeople as he can about his venture and soliciting their opinions about its feasibility. He also gathers statistics such as demographic data and predictions about the future growth of his proposed target markets. He talks to prospective customers as well. This information is critical in helping him decide whether to take the risk of launching the company.

Setting Strategic Direction

To grow his company, a small business owner may decide to offer new products and services, may expand the geographic scope of his marketing efforts and may change the marketing message he delivers to his market or the media he uses. The decisions whether to implement any of these changes are supported by market research. For example, if he wishes to begin selling his products internationally, he must have information on the number of potential customers and how many entrenched local companies he will have to compete against.

Determining What Customers Really Want

Before bringing a new product to market, large companies do significant test marketing, either selecting consumers to try the product or showing and explaining the product’s benefits to them and soliciting their opinions about it. They seek information about whether these sample groups are enthusiastic enough about the benefits of the product that they would be highly likely to purchase it. A small business owner can do the same thing in a less formal way by talking directly to potential customers on an individual basis and asking them what his business could do to better meet their needs.

Monitoring Competitors

Market research also means keeping close watch on your major competitors’ activities, particularly what strategies they have deployed to capture additional customers that are potentially your customers. Small businesses have many ways to monitor competitors’ activity, including studying their advertisements, talking to their customers, visiting their websites, asking business associates about them or even visiting their businesses, in the case of retail enterprises. A small business owner also needs to be aware of new competitors planning to enter the market.

Identifying Opportunities

Small businesses that seek to continue growing are always on the lookout for emerging opportunities — new products or services they could offer, new distribution channels they could use or ways of adapting their existing products to meet the needs of different customer groups. For a small business owner, everything he reads, such as trade journals, general business publications, newspapers and stories about consumer trends shown on TV, are rich sources of material for ideas on how to accelerate the company’s growth. This type of market research involves paying close attention to the world around you and then creatively developing these pieces of information into potential opportunities.

Spotting Potential Trouble Ahead

A small business is affected by the performance and direction of the local and national economy. Monitoring the environment helps the business owner identify signs of a potential economic slowdown, for example, and take steps to be ready. Again by talking to his customers, vendors and other businesspeople he is in contact with, the owner can get an idea of whether they are optimistic or apprehensive about the direction the economy is going and can adjust his strategies if necessary. The small business owner might decide to postpone expansion plans if it appears the economic environment is turning negative.

Why is market research important for small business?

A simple definition of market research

Market research is the process of gathering and analysing data about one or more of the following:

  • A specific industry – For example, trends and patterns affecting the industry as a whole.
  • A product market – Research concerning the performance of a specific market. This research may look into things like the forecasted growth of the market and the number of competitors active in the market.
  • Products or services – Research involving a specific product or service. This kind of research may involve estimating demand for a new product, or determining if sales would be improved by changing the appearance, branding or the cost of a product.
  • Customers – Research that seeks to understand the behaviour of past, present and future customers.

The market research process can reveal information about product branding, product differentiation, pricing strategies, marketing campaigns and much more. It can be useful for established businesses who are looking to improve their sales, or for new businesses seeking to understand if their business model is viable.

Small-to-medium enterprises, freelancers, consultants and entrepreneurs can also gain a significant advantage by using market research strategies and services.

How can market research help a small business?

Some of the many ways market research can help your business include:

Finding out who your potential customers are

The more insight your business can gain into potential customers, the more easily you can craft your product or service to suit their requirements. Information including the potential customer’s gender, age, buying habits, intended use of the product or service, and level of education can all be very useful.

Your business can use the valuable information gained from the market research process to fine tune the marketing strategy of your product or service. It can also help test the feasibility of a new product or service before bringing it to market — potentially saving you thousands of pounds.

Obtaining more information about your current customers

Market research into your current customers can help your business improve sales figures, customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.  Some of the valuable information that market research strategies and services can provide include:

  • Learning which aspects of your product or service customers like or dislike.
  • Discovering how much customers would be willing to pay for your product or service.
  • Understanding why customers choose your business instead of your competitors.
  • Learning if customers believe your business offers good value for money.
  • Understanding which things influence customer’s buying decisions.

This information can help you refine your products or services in ways that will make them more attractive to your target market.

Determining how effective a marketing campaign will be

The information you gather during the market research process will help you develop effective, evidence based marketing strategies.  You will understand how a price change may affect demand in the market, what kind of advertising appeals to potential customers, which media channels are the most effective, and much more.

The ability to make informed decisions and create effective marketing strategies can save your business thousands of pounds.  You won’t be taking a “stab in the dark” when creating a new advertising campaign or product line — you will know precisely what will work, and what won’t.  Market research can also help you make informed decisions about other business activities, including when to expand, consolidate or diversify the business.

Defining appropriate production goals for your business

The information gathered by the market research process can be used to accurately predict sales for your business. You will also understand how well new products or services will be received, allowing you to properly prepare for their introduction.

Identifying obstacles that your business may face in the future

Market research strategies and services will help you identify any problems that exist — perhaps the product or service is priced poorly or the market is simply crowded with competitors. The information obtained will help you understand if your business should cut its losses or improve the product or service you are offering.

Develop your business

Increasing the size of your small business can be a daunting task, because unnecessary over-expansion can cause a business to collapse. Market research allows you to determine if an expansion of your business is the correct path to take, giving you the assurance that you need to invest wisely. It can help you develop new products or services, make changes to distribution channels, increase/decrease output and much more. Market research gives your business some certainty about the decisions being made.

Monitoring the activities of your competitors

Market research allows you to keep a close eye on the performance of your competitors and answers important questions like — Why do customers prefer a particular competitor? Are competitors selling more product than me? What do customers think of the competitor’s branding and marketing? This information can help you devise business strategies that keep you ahead of the game.

Research new products and services

Businesses can use market research to predict how successful a new product or service will be in the market. For example, you can determine if the branding and price of a product or service is appropriate before launch.

Discover new opportunities in the market

Having a deep understanding of prevailing market conditions helps a business to take advantage of new opportunities. Market research can help you identify if a market is under serviced and helps you to take advantage of that fact. It can also help you spot changes in the overall market like population increases, shifting demographics and other important trends.

How to Perform Market Research: A 5-Step Method

Performing research doesn’t need to be difficult; however, it does need to be complete and inclusive of specific information.

1 – Create Buyer Personas

Learning how your customers make their buying decisions is important; however, it’s essential that you know who they are. Knowing who your buyer personas are is just the beginning during your research of the primary market.

Buyer personas are fictional representations of your perfect customer. Personas help you develop your strategy, streamline your communications, and visualize your ideal audience.

Some key characteristics that you should focus on including in your business persona are:

  • Gender
  • Age
  • Job titles
  • Family size
  • Income

Basically, the idea is to help you use your persona as a guide when you experience real life customers. For all you know, your business may end up having multiple personas and that’s perfectly fine! Just be certain that you’re being thoughtful about the persona you’re planning to optimize. It’ll make things easier when you’re planning campaigns and content.

2 – Identify Market Segments

market research surveys

Now that you’ve learned about buyer personas, it’s time for you to find a sample of your ideal customers. Doing this is going to help you understand the customer’s buying habits, challenges, and characteristics.

Your customers should be people who recently bought something or who have decided not to make a purchase.

Here are some ways you can meet with them:

  • Create an online survey
  • Conduct phone interviews
  • In-person through the means of a social group

An important factor to keep in mind when choosing who you wish to engage with is starting with characteristics that apply to your personas. Not to mention, it will help you conduct your marketing research.

3 – Increase Engagement

A lot of research firms in marketing have groups of people that they can pull from whenever they need to perform a study. The fact of the matter is a lot of individual marketers are unable to afford that kind of luxury. However, that’s not exactly a terrible thing. All the time you’re going to spend recruiting people for the study may lead to having better participants.

Below is a brief recruiting guide to make things a little easier:

  • Bring up a list of people who have made a recent purchase
  • Have a list of those who made an active evaluation of your product, but haven’t made a purchase
  • Ask for participants via social media
  • Try to leverage your network
  • Make sure you have an incentive

4 – Ask Questions

One of the best ways to get everything out of your conversations is to prepare your questions in advance. Try creating a discussion guide for everything such as a social group, surveys, online and phone interviews. This will ensure that frequently asked questions are covered and you can use the extra time wisely.

It’s worth mentioning that this should not be a script. All your discussions are better when they’re conversational and natural.

5 – Know Your Competition

Figuring out your potential competitors starts off your research of the secondary market. With that said, there’s a lot more than just one company against the other. In some cases, a fraction of a company may compete with another company’s service or products, despite the fact that this company puts more effort in a different area.

Even if you think you know your target audience, conducting market research can be an eye-opening experience. Consumers of today are more powerful than ever. They know what they want and usually aren’t willing to settle for less. And why should they? With so many options out there, the world is their oyster.

21 Best Market Research Resources for Small Businesses

When you’re starting your business, you need to have a deep understanding of your customers. In fact, knowing your customers inside and out is probably the most important key to success.

Your customers are the people who desperately need your product or service. You need to know who they are, why they want your solution, what they like and dislike, and even what they had for breakfast. Knowing all of this will help you find more customers and build a better product that your customers will clamor to buy and tell their friends and colleagues about.

This is where market research comes in.

What is market research?

Market research is the process of gaining information about your target market—a fancy way of saying “getting to know your customers.” Ideally, you find specific information about your target market and the key factors that influence their buying decisions. This is a key step in your larger market analysis. For more information on that check out this article.

As you get started, you’ll need to determine what type of market research is going to work best for you. Make that decision based on the value of the insights you think you’ll gain, versus the time and effort you need to invest to find the information.

Market research is often confused with an elaborate process conducted by fancy consultants that takes a tremendous amount of time and money. That’s certainly not true. You can, and should, do most of your own market research, and it doesn’t even have to be that hard.

After I explain the different types of market research, I’ll share all the resources you can use to do your own.

Types of market research explained

1. Primary market research

Primary market research is research that you conduct yourself, rather than information that you find that’s already published. You gather this information by talking directly with your potential customers. This can either be exploratory research, where you ask open-ended questions, or specific research, where you try to obtain quantifiable results.

Here are a few methods you can use to conduct primary research.

Conduct focus groups

focus group requires you to gather a small group of people together for a discussion with an assigned leader.

Survey your customers

Distribute these both to existing customers and potential customers. Sending out a survey using tools like SurveyMonkey is a great way to collect this type of information from current or potential customers of your business. You can even run tiny surveys right on your website with services like Qualaroo. Make sure to ask specific questions—but try not to lead people toward the answer you want to hear. Be as objective as you can.

Assess your competition

Look at your competition’s solutions, technologies, and what niche they occupy. This can help you better understand their position in the market and how you can compete. Complete a competitive matrix or SWOT Analysis to streamline your competitive analysis.

Hold one-on-one interviews

Find potential customers and talk with them about their problems and your solutions to those problems. Ideally, conduct these in-depth interviews in your customer’s workplace, or wherever they will be when they might consider shopping for your solution. You can also just ask to conduct these interviews remotely.

2. Secondary market research

Market research may also come from secondary sources. This is information others have already acquired and published about customers in your industry.

Access to this secondary market research data may be yours for the asking, and cost you only an email, letter, or phone call. Much of it is entirely free and easily available online. Here are a few ways to gather secondary market research.

Trade associations

Trade associations are organizations that serve specific industries. There’s almost certainly one for your industry. Once you find it, contact them and ask them for information about their industry and markets in the industry.

Government information

The U.S. government has a treasure trove of information to wade through. The data is all free but may take a little bit of time to find.

Third-party research sites

For reasonable fees, there are market research companies that will sell you pre-written industry reports that provide information on industries and their target markets.

Best market research resources

There’s so much information out there that it can be difficult to know where to start with your market research. Here are our favorite resources for doing market research.

U.S. government resources

If your business is operating within or expanding to the United States, these are the top sites you should use for your research.

  1. U.S. CensusThis is a great starting point for data about the U.S. population. You can drill into the data and find out nearly anything you want to know about different locations and demographics.
  2. Census Business Builder: Beyond population data, you can look at how much people in your industry spend.
  3. Bureau of Labor StatisticsA fantastic site for information on specific industries, like hiring and expense trends as well as industry sizes. If your target market is other businesses, this is a good place to look for data.
  4. Consumer Expenditure Survey: If you want to know what people spend their money on, this is your go-to source.
  5. CensusViewer: While it’s not a U.S. government resource, this free tool leverages US Census data and other data sources to give you access to data in an easy-to-use format that you can explore both visually on a map or in data reports for cities, counties, and entire states.
  6. Economic Indicators: Offers free economic, demographic, and financial information.
  7. Pew Research Center:  A nonpartisan fact tank that was founded with the mission of informing the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. They conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis, and other data-driven social science research.

Industry summaries

If you’re looking for information about specific industries, these are some of the best options to look into.

  1. SBDCNet Business SnapshotsYou’ll find a great collection of industry profiles that describe how industries are growing and changing, who their customers are, and what typical startup costs are. You should also check out their list of market research resources, sorted by industry.
  2. Hoovers Industry Research: While not a free resource, the industry summary data provided here can be helpful if you need in-depth industry reports.
  3. IBISWorld: Regularly updated industry reports, that provide insight regarding the current status, market outlook, and competitive landscape of a given industry. It is a subscription service, but you can download free reports to test it out.

Business location market research tools

Interested in learning more about the demographics and customer base in a given geographic location? Check out these resources.

  1. ZoomProspector: This tool can help you find the ideal location for your business, or find new locations similar to where you already are for expansion and growth.
  2. MyBestSegments: This tool from Nielsen is a great resource for finding out what demographic and psychographic groups live in a given zip code or where the highest concentration of a given segment lives. While the most detailed data is not free, you can get a lot of great insights from the free version.
  3. SizeUp: This is a useful mapping tool to help determine where your target customers are. It’s very useful to help you determine the ideal location for your business.

Survey tools

If you plan on conducting primary research, here are some of the surveying tools you should look into.

  1. SurveyMonkey: Should you need to poll a group for business purposes, SurveyMonkey is free and reliable. Simply build the survey and send it out to your audience.
  2. Google Consumer SurveysYou don’t need to have a contact list to send out a survey on this site. With Google Surveys, you can target users from around the web and get instant feedback on your business idea.
  3. TypeForm: Whether you need a simple form or a survey, TypeForm does it beautifully. It’s especially good on mobile.
  4. Qualaroo: If you run a website and want to get quick feedback from the people that are already showing up there, Qualaroo is a great tool for this purpose.

Trade and industry associations

Many industries are blessed with an active trade association that serves as a vital source of industry-specific information. Such associations regularly publish directories for their members, and the better ones publish statistical information that tracks industry sales, profits, ratios, economic trends, and other valuable data.

  1. Wikipedia’s list of U.S. trade groups: This is a fairly comprehensive list to kickstart your research.
  2. Directory of Associations: Another long list of associations. You should be able to find an association for your industry here.
  1. Google TrendsUse Google Trends to discover what people are searching on and how search volume on important topics is changing over time.
  2. Statista: If you’re looking for statistics and trends, Statista is a great place to get started. You’ll find data on virtually everything here.

Leverage market research to inform your business decisions

Doing market research is a powerful way to reduce the risk for your small business or startup. The more you know about your customers and your industry, the less likely you are to waste money on marketing and advertising campaigns that don’t reach the right people.

You probably already have a gut feeling about who your customers are and what their needs and pain points are. But taking the time to validate (or invalidate) your assumptions can make a big difference to your company’s bottom line and long-term viability.

Market research for small business

A small business owner holding binoculars and doing market research

How market research can help small businesses

Knowledge is power. And whether you’re selling coffee, computers or conferences, it pays to know and understand your target market.

Big businesses do this using market research that’s usually quite costly. They have teams dedicated to interviewing customers, carrying out surveys, arranging focus groups and analyzing buying patterns.

While much of that work does require a big budget, it’s still possible for small businesses to carry out lean and effective market research – and there are good reasons for doing so.

When should you use market research?

There are certain times in a company’s life-cycle when market research can be particularly useful. For example:

  • To see whether a new business idea is viable: You have an idea for a new business. Is there a market for it? Don’t just guess – use market research to find out.
  • When moving into new markets: This is especially true when selling abroad. Different countries and cultures have different markets. What works in one might not work in another. Research will help you uncover the differences and adapt to them.
  • Before launching a new product or service: You might think you have the perfect new product or service – your customers may think otherwise. It pays to get feedback before you launch, so you can make any necessary changes quickly.
  • When applying for funding: Show potential investors that there’s a gap in the market – and that your company is the one to fill it.

Stay focused

If you’re planning to carry out market research, keep it tightly controlled. Concentrate on the key questions that matter to your business, then work out what information you need in order to answer those questions.

With that knowledge you can decide how best to obtain the answers – with a focus group, online research or survey.

Don’t be tempted to ask all sorts of additional questions. Stay on topic and you’ll get useful answers that will help you shape your business strategy.

Effective market research for small business – five top tips

If you want to make the best use of market research, here are five key points to bear in mind:

1. Start researching early

Whether you’re selling locally, nationally or globally, it pays to know the potential size of your slice of the pie. Do your research before you start trying to sell in a new market.

2. Don’t waste money

Small businesses can’t afford to splash out on expensive research – and luckily they don’t have to. Small focus groups and surveys of your existing customers can be effective and inexpensive.

3. Use existing research

Someone may have done the hard work for you already. Check out online reports, industry reviews and magazine articles.

4. Find out what your customers are saying

The internet makes it easy to find out what your potential customers think. Read consumers’ blogs, watch their YouTube videos and vlogs (video blogs), and check out discussion forums and social media.

5. Use the cloud and big data

Companies such as Google spend vast amounts of money collecting research. Take a look at Google Trends and Google consumer surveys. Google Trends will let you see what people are searching for. For example, if there’s a large volume of people searching for glow-in-the-dark cat collars and no one is selling them, then there may be a gap in the market. Google’s findings are often free so make use of them.

Know the limits of market research

Market research will give you some information about your target market, but it can’t predict the future of your business with perfect accuracy. That’s because:

  • a small sample of your potential customers might not be representative of the whole market
  • people don’t always say what they truly believe in surveys
  • the research might not take new trends into account
  • the way your business acts in the market will change the outcome

That doesn’t mean market research for small business isn’t useful – far from it. But you should take the findings with a grain of salt and consider other factors too.

In particular, trust your gut instincts, because they are often based on the experience you’ve gained working in the industry.

Market research is a useful tool

Doing some low-cost market research can really help you learn more about the market demand for your products or services. And while it’s not always a sure-fire way to predict whether your business will succeed, it’s a great way to get new insights and opportunities.

When you have a combined strategy that includes your own intuition and customer feedback, market research can help your business perform better and enter new markets successfully. You can read more about doing market research in our guide to starting a business.

Five tips for running a successful business

Running a successful business takes passion, dedication, and strategy. The passion and dedication can only come from within you. The strategy, however, can be learned. With that in mind, here are five tips for running a successful business.

Start with the why

Every successful business has a reason for being in business. That’s “the why”. In other words, it’s the reason why people should care about your business. Defining the why can help you answer many other key questions about your business.

For example, if you know how you’re going to improve someone’s life, you know who your potential customers are likely to be. This in turn gives you a reasonable idea of the size and value of the potential market.

Set appropriate goals

Your goals are essentially your definition of business success. There are various approaches you can take to defining them. In the context of business success, however, the SMART system is probably the most appropriate. These initial goals are just to get you started. As you start getting close to achieving them, you’ll set yourself new ones.

Create a written plan

Your why is your starting point and your goals are your first milestones. Your business plan sets out the path you believe will take you from your starting point to those milestones. Write down your plan in as much detail as you can, then conduct a thorough SWOT analysis on it. Ideally, ask someone you trust for an independent second opinion.

If you identify weaknesses and threats in your plan, then try to address them before you even start your business. If you can’t, then start addressing them as soon as you possibly can afterward.

In particular, make it a priority to deal with anything which may limit your ability to make and receive payments. For example, if you’re setting yourself up as a limited company, apply for a business bank account as soon as your incorporation is confirmed. Likewise, if you’re planning on using a payment processor get your account(s) set up as quickly as you can. You’ll probably have to go through some kind of verification process before you can actively use the account(s), and you may need time to familiarize yourself with the system.

Keep reassessing your plan

As you work on your plan, keep asking yourself three key questions.

  1. Do I still believe in my why?

  2. Do I still believe in my goals?

  3. Do I still believe that I’m on the right path to sustainable business success?

If the answers to any of these questions are “no” then you need to make at least one change. Realistically, this one change will probably lead to others. In a worst-case scenario, you may decide that your business venture cannot succeed.

If this happens then recognize the difference between business failure and personal failure. Take the lessons you’ve learned, be grateful for them, and move on. Remember that many successful entrepreneurs have at least one failed business behind them. Some have several. They persevered and, in the end, they achieved business success.

That said, if your initial business plan was solid, you’ll likely just make adaptations to it as you go. Follow the same process of writing them down and performing a thorough SWOT analysis on your new plan.

Delegate as much as you can

Traditionally, new entrepreneurs have had to put in a lot of hours to grow their businesses. There is still a lot of truth in this. Fortunately, however, there are many more opportunities for strategic delegation. If you have no money to spare at all, then look for free/freemium tools that can help you automate straightforward but time-consuming tasks.

Using these can help you to grow your business more quickly. You can then use the income from your business to invest in paid-for tools and, ultimately, professional services such as accountants, PEOs, and legal support.