News

Kodak Shares Keys To Success At ESOMAR Panel Conference

Does Web 2.0 enhance the value of research? Can clients run their own panels? These were the key questions at this year’s ESOMAR Panel Conference. One of the presentations was Aprille Byam from Eastman Kodak and Ellie Sykes, Vision Critical’s VP of Qualitative and Online Communities about how Kodak is getting value out of running their online panel and community.

Aprille demonstrated that her approach to running the panel and community has integrated a lot of Web 2.0 philosophy by getting members to update their profiles, upload photos, post links, participate in discussions, etc. The panel has helped Kodak to identify new product and marketing opportunities through analysis of how members shop, how they operate within their work spaces, and how diverse the projects are that they print.

Eastman Kodak is just one of over 200 examples that Vision Critical can provide where clients are building their own panels and using Web 2.0 to address business challenges.   

More and more companies are now considering running their own panels, especially those who are now re-examining their relationships with suppliers and agencies given the downturn in the economy. Many clients are realizing that they can get more research for less money by investing in their own online panel.

Want to learn more? Register here to see our upcoming webinar.

Posted on October 30, 2008
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Vision Critical Group Named One of BC’s Top Employers

Vision Critical Group, global leader in interactive online research, has been recognized as one of BC's Top 50 Employers. This special tribute recognizes the British Columbia employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.

"Vision Critical is a Canadian success story in the market research industry. Our employees are the key to our success - they contribute to our high level online research products and services," said Angus Reid, CEO of Vision Critical. "Our growth is being fueled by increased global demand, and supporting our staff of the best and brightest is the only way we can continue to be successful."

"We are dedicated to finding smart, driven and dynamic people to join our team here at Vision Critical. In order to maintain the strength of our culture as we grow and evolve, it's essential that we recruit employees that embody our entrepreneurial culture," notes Erin Hirsch, Talent Acquisition Manager.

Recently, Vision Critical was ranked as number 5 in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Canada. Vision Critical is the highest BC technology company on the Fast 50 list.

"We continue to have a family feel within the organization and hold on to that as we continue to grow," said Kathy Enros, SVP of Human Resources. "We believe that even the little things, such as providing onsite gym access, pop and coffee, and a foosball table are part of the bigger picture when it comes to creating a comfortable working environment."

While it's not unusual for attractive companies to offer a balanced environment for its employees, Vision Critical Group places a strong focus on functional fun. We value contributing to the society we operate in, for instance how our running team recently raised over $5,000 for the Race for Cure event. The fun part? Our senior male management staff agreed to dress fully in drag for the event to celebrate the accomplishment; talk about an incentive to contribute to a great cause! Additionally, we show our employees that we value them and their contributions with benefits that include summer BBQs on our patio overlooking BC Place, transit passes to our central Vancouver location and a family friendly atmosphere. Every employee is also granted stock options when they join the team, incenting our teams to gel on a common goal of organic growth by providing exceptional results for our clients.  

When we survey our employees to dig into why they joined the team here at Vision Critical, the unanimous response is for the opportunity that lies ahead. Our employees are limited only by themselves when it comes to career growth. Case in point?  It's been rare for one our receptionists to be in his/her role for more than six months before being promoted to another role in the organization.

About BC's Top 50 Employers
Now entering its fifth year, BC's Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the British Columbia employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. http://www.canadastop100.com/bc/

Posted on October 20, 2008
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Vision Critical’s Chief Panel Officer to Help Clients Generate Superior Panel Results

Vision Critical takes another step to help clients run more effective panels and communities. The company has appointed Jennifer Reid as Chief Panel Officer, whose sole focus is to identify the key elements that help companies generate superior panel results.

Angus Reid, CEO of Vision Critical said “Custom panels and private communities are still a relatively new research technique; much of the industry research is on access panels. With Jennifer as CPO, she will provide our clients the necessary data and insight they’ve been looking for to help their efforts. With her experience and leadership, she is the perfect strategic advisor that all clients can utilize to make their panels and communities the best they can be.”

As the world leader in custom panels and private communities, Vision Critical and its 250+ client panels and communities provide Jennifer the ultimate resource to analyze what elements create excellence. For example, what makes profile questionnaires with lower than average stop rates better or worse? Or what evidence supports the notion that newsletters impact panel retention?

By examining the full life cycle of panel health, Jennifer will be conducting research on research around everything from panel recruitment to retention. The results will deliver actionable insight that all clients can use. Jennifer will be compiling these reports by reviewing panel and study level statistics across all our panels.  

On a quarterly basis, clients can receive the outcome of her investigation for that period.  One of Jennifer’s first initiatives will be to begin a thorough analysis of panel participation statistics across our many clients. The results will be presented in aggregate format and at no time will the data include client names or study results unless clients have provided consent to a case study example.

Jennifer is considered one of North America’s foremost experts in online panel recruitment and management. From its infancy in 1998, Jennifer pioneered the development of online panels with the Angus Reid Group. Recently, she held the position of Senior Vice President, Panel Strategy Group within Vision Critical. Working with Fortune 500 companies throughout North America, she has recruited and managed over 1 million people for access and custom panels

If you’d like to learn more about this new program led by Jennifer, contact her directly at  jennifer.reid@visioncritical.com

Posted on October 14, 2008
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AMD and Bloomingdales Share Panel Best Practices at MRE

For the fourth year running, Vision Critical will be making a splash at The Market Research Event (MRE) in Anaheim. Speaking with AMD, Vision Critical will be sharing best practices of respondent engagement, one of the most notorious challenges for researchers.

In tough economic times, it’s critical to stay in touch with how consumers are changing and continue to drive business forward. Jim Slevin, AMD Director of Market Research, is sharing some of the key benefits of using an online panel with Vision Critical, including getting quick responses to gauge the good ideas from the bad ones, and collecting rich feedback with fast turnaround.

“Companies are using online panels and private communities to gain immediate access to their customers. The results provide timely assessment of brand loyalty, changing tastes and shifting priorities,” said Jason Smith, President of Vision Critical. “AMD demonstrates many of the benefits our customers are experiencing by using online panels.”

Another client of Vision Critical, Bloomingdales, will also be sharing their experience with using an online panel. Miriam Shigon, Manager of Marketing Research will be talking about how they rely on the panel for customer centric integration throughout their organization.

During The Market Research Event, Vision Critical will be turning up the volume and rocking out at the fourth annual party at the House of Blues. Open to a select group of VIPs, this party is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Posted on October 14, 2008
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The Value of Panels and Communities in a Market Downturn

Custom panels and private communities provide a number of advantages you can leverage during these tough economic times. The big ones are saving money, retaining customers and generating revenue.  We’ve assembled a list from our experience to highlight some of the key benefits.

Save Money
Clients have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars. A national ISP saved between $200k and $300k by conducting research with their online panel.  In the first six months a National Grocery Chain was able to field roughly $200K worth of customer research at a cost savings of $115K.

Retain Customers
In a downturn, companies will focus more on their customers than on their prospects for the simple reason that it's easier to make money from existing customers than to spend money acquiring new ones. What better than to use your panel or community to find out what they want.

Generate Revenue
One of our clients, a large bookstore experienced a 400% sales lift by changing from employee to panel/reader recommended titles.  The company also experienced an average promotional lift between 8% and 26% through one quarter. Key findings from a fast food restaurant’s panel show that new menu designs with more photos would increase sales by two to three percent.

Gain Efficiencies
Many companies begin looking at cutting expenses and becoming more cautious. Your panel or community can help with evaluating options to decisions that need to be made right.  Gut-check your ideas before making the investment to go to market.

Future Proofing
Invest today and, even if we are doing the survey programming for you, know that if your budget is reduced, you can take it on yourself to and save some money.

Flexibility
Panels and community provide the vehicle to generate both qualitative and quantitative research.  They provide the platform to conduct an incredible amount of research during like attitudes and usage, ideation, ad testing, customer satisfaction, and share of wallet studies.

If you’d like to speak with one of our industry experts on how a custom panel or private community can help during a downturn, contact Caroline Hickton.

Posted on October 10, 2008
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