A lack of time or access to outside resources, such as a large sample of your target audience or highly experienced interviewers, might affect your ability to complete a research project in-house. In any case, it may be best to bring in a research vendor to help execute your project.
Because outsourcing for research design, data collection and more can surface feelings of trepidation towards the vendor’s ability to acquire reliable and timely results — we get why professionals hesitate to take the plunge.
First and foremost, it is possible to find a reliable vendor who meets your quality standards! As you seek to accelerate business growth, the right choice of vendor can be a huge asset. Not only will they meet quality standards, but they will add value to projects and increase your capabilities.
Here are some critical factors for consideration when vetting your next vendor:
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Communication
A trustworthy vendor will anticipate, identify, and communicate obstacles and solutions long before the issues would derail a project. They should offer to provide frequent quality and project updates, keeping you in the loop and assuring the project is on track.
Ask yourself, “Does this vendor have a relevant process to ensure the desired level of communication for this project?”
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Expertise
Not all vendors offer the same expertise or suite of services. In fact, most research firms have a niche or area of comfort when it comes to research services. A trustworthy vendor will be clear and upfront about their process and methods in which they excel and why. For example, if you are searching for a vendor to execute recruitment, they should have a team of specially trained interviewers dedicated to recruiting projects.
Bonus tip! Take a look at their case studies or ask for a full list of supported methodologies. This will give you a clear perspective of their research capabilities.
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Industry Memberships
Membership in organizations like Insights Association or ESOMAR shows that a vendor is dedicated to advancing the insights profession and playing an indisputable role in driving business impact.
Both organizations possess ethical and professional guidelines and exemplify a vendor's commitment to shared values. Check out the Insights Association directory or the ESOMAR directory to see if a vendor is a registered member.
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Working with a research vendor doesn’t have to be transactional and segmented. When you partner with the right vendor, they’ll be like an extension of your team, providing quality information you can rely on to make decisions.
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