How can you collaborate better with your market research outsourcing partner?

As a market researcher partnering with my client—scoping is both the destination and the path we'll take. My best practices to avoid common pitfalls while scoping are: - Involve Top Stakeholders: Engage project approver to prevent misunderstandings down the line - Apply SMART Criteria: Ensure objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound - Be Specific and Detailed: Leave no room for interpretation; this clarity reduces errors - Use Clear Language: Avoid technical jargon for seamless communication - Document Changes: Keep everyone in the loop about scope modifications - Ethical Implications: Keep a sharp eye on any ethical dilemmas or hidden agendas that might compromise the project's integrity and objectives

Understand objectives. Determine key questions, audience and methodology. I like to preach client do some interviews. It drives into the DNA of the organization.

Clearly Define Objectives: Begin by outlining your research objectives and goals. Make sure both you and your outsourcing partner have a shared understanding of what you aim to achieve.

Most companies I work with overestimate what can be done in X amount of time. I have had conversations where clients want to understand: - the buying journey of their best customer - why they are losing deals - new market opportunities But those are three SEPARATE research studies. Too often they want to combine them into one. Research succeeds when we can dive deep into one section of the business, rather than take a broad-stroke approach.

I typically start by delving into the genuine concerns of the client, probing deeper with insightful questions. It is often by attentive listening that I gain insight into my clients' challenges, enabling me to offer appropriate solutions. I'm also adept of writing up a report after each meeting. Every detail is important to the success of my mission.

For my clients, they always get - recordings and summary of all our meetings - a timeline and breakdown of when things will happen - access to all the documentation we are using for a project - updates 2-3 times a week via email or video - any follow-up meetings required after the research is complete Any outsourced research partner should be approaching your project with the respect it deserves

Choose the Right Partner: Select a research partner with expertise in your industry or the specific type of research you need. Check their track record, references, and capabilities.

All my clients get all the raw data and working documents that I use to deliver the final report and insights. I call it "showing the math". If a researcher can't show you how they got to a conclusion, then I would question the validity of the work.

Open and Transparent Communication: Establish clear lines of communication. Regular meetings, updates, and feedback sessions are crucial. Ensure that you can reach your partner easily and that they are responsive.

Providing clients with the individual data sets (properly identity protected, of course) is a great way to let them peek behind the curtain. They can revisit these many months later, see if there's any additional insight to be gleaned from the raw feeds, and extend the life and the value of the research.

Develop a Detailed Scope of Work: Create a comprehensive scope of work (SOW) document that outlines the project's specifics, including the research methodology, timeline, budget, and deliverables. This document should serve as a reference point throughout the project.

A detailed scope, in writing, helps alleviate any disputes or disagreements, and allows for the deliverable to be clearly described so that expectations are properly set.

Set Expectations: Clearly define roles and responsibilities for both parties. This includes who will provide data, who will conduct the research, and who will analyze and present the findings.

This particular excerpt highlights an integral keyword to keep top of mind (i.e.,) "Collaboration"🤝 📋 This goes without saying, but you cannot hope to get far in any kind of outsourcing collaboration process without any type of formalized needs analysis and/or requirements elicitation framework that serves as an overarching "guiding light" for clarity on overall mission-critical priorities. The aforementioned systematic process (i.e., formalized req's gathering/analysis) is not limited to just market research projects per-se, but serves as a best practice that one should (ideally) continually leverage when faced with projects that have too many underlying multifactorial/multifaceted problems prefacing the scope of the project itself.

Foster Two-Way Feedback: Encourage open and constructive feedback from both sides. Share your thoughts and concerns, and be open to your partner's suggestions and recommendations.

I've found that research like this opens up a great dialog with clients, as the questions asked, and the data they generate, gets their gears turning and they start to realize the potential of this powerful tool. It becomes more of a two-way street if they are in on the discussion from the beginning and can follow you along on the journey.

Consider building a long-term relationship with your research partner if the collaboration is successful. A long-term partner can better understand your needs and provide more valuable insights over time. Remember that effective collaboration is a two-way street. Both parties need to be committed to the partnership's success and maintain open, respectful, and productive communication throughout the project.