When business-related information is collected to be analyzed by respecting certain rules, such as business ethics, it becomes marketing research. Marketing plan research backs-up all the elements of the first chapter of a marketing plan while market research is only about analyzing one of its elements: The prime market, or markets, of the business.

1. Analysis of the current situation c h a p t e r o n e Marketing Plan DIY d anny abramovich Chapter 1out of 4 Sources of Information www.MarketingPlanNOW.com

2. 1.8 Sources of information a n a l y s i s o f t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n Marketing research & your business The term “marketing research” is often very distant from the day-to-day business operations, but it should NOT be the case. Worthy information does not have to cost money, but can save money, time and often personal distress. As already recommended, talking to potential or existing clients can lead to better understand your marketing arena : Direct competition , USP’s-ESP’s ( unique selling propositions) and positioning (perceptions). www.MarketingPlanNOW.com

3. 1.8 Sources of information a n a l y s i s o f t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n  ?  ? Marketing research & your business ‘ Small talk’ with a client has a research-oriented terminology : It represents primary, qualitative & field research. Primary data is a direct, first-hand grasp of information : observing your customers behavior… Secondary data is any existing “on-the-shelf” source : national statistics… Qualitative research includes open questions seeking to gather explicative random data : focus group… Quantitative research includes systematic closed question with quantifyable properties and their relationships : survey…

4. 1.8 Sources of information Marketing research & your business Field research takes place as close as possible to the real setup of the sampled interviewees : ethnographic observation - watching women selecting a shampoo in a pharmacy. Desk research is more technical and distant and that’s why more communicative tools are used : omnibus survey - a low cost quantitative survey in which data on a wide variety of subjects is collected during a phone interview. a n a l y s i s o f t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n www.MarketingPlanNOW.com

5. 1.8 Sources of information a n a l y s i s o f t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n Marketing research & your business Valuable online information does NOT have to cost money ! - Use online business databases in public libraries - Join or create a group to discuss your market - Make use of online free survey Internet sites

6. a n a l y s i s o f t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n www.MarketingPlanNOW.com