No Blowing Smoke: Sharp, Sensible Thoughts from Swedish Match’s Research Chief

Posted by MFour on May 29, 2018 9:49:19 AM

Blog Swedish Match Quotes 15May18 

Here are some thoughts well-worth passing along, from Steve Seiferheld, Director of Market Research for the U.S. Division of tobacco-products company Swedish Match. They’re from a recent edition of Quirk’s Media’s ongoing Q&A feature, Conversations with Corporate Researchers.

What stands out is Steve’s willingness to call out complacency and inertia in the market research industry with a clear, strong voice. He’s rightfully adamant about the need for insights professionals to bolster their self-confidence about their importance to their organizations. To which we would add that confidence starts with an unshakeable self-assurance that the technological tools and data sources you’re using are state-of-the-art.

A lack of confidence in your tools and the data you've obtained with them is likely to color your presentations to decision-making stakeholders. Conversely, smart, specific recommendations  grounded in confidence that your data is state-of-the-art will go a long way toward earning you a respected spot at the decision-making table.

Take it away, Steve Seiferheld – and thanks!

  • “We continue to focus on the same tired, in-the-weeds issues without being able to construct a simple story on how to move a business forward. Twenty-five years ago we were worrying about how to weed out bad survey respondents. Today, we are worrying about how to weed out bad survey respondents. Why?”
  • “…let your objectives drive your methodology, and never vice versa. I choose the methodology that will make it easiest for my target audience to provide the type of feedback I need.”
  • “Nobody seems willing to point out how we are our own enemy. Our industry needs voices to steer us toward being leaders in our organizations. Swedish Match values me because when I present, my key findings tell people what to do. Other researchers hurt our industry by worrying more about Likert scales and eye-tracking than how to acquire more customers and improve profits.”
  • “Repeatedly I encounter corporate researchers who see themselves as subservient to marketing, sales and other functions. We cannot expect progress until researchers shed that mentality. My role is just as important as anyone else’s. I understand the consumer better than anyone else in my organization and understanding the consumer is vital to ensuring a company’s success.”
If these thoughts make sense to you, start putting them into action. Learn how the most advanced mobile-app research capabilities, such as proprietary GeoIntensity® and GeoNotification® can get you reliably validated data, vivid insights and compelling consumer stories you can bring to the table to drive positive action for your company, and earn respect for your role as researcher. To get in touch, just click here.

Topics: consumer research, quirks, market research, consumer insights

MFour Adds Instant Amazon Cards for Panelists

Posted by admin on Sep 22, 2015 8:22:54 AM

payout-2"Respondents can now choose either Paypal or Amazon"

MFour added Amazon gift cards to its Surveys on the Go application as an additional instant mobile payment option.

This new option expands choices for panelists to cash out once they hit the $10 benchmark.

"For us, it's all about a five star panelist experience. Amazon gift cards are a great fit and add options for panelist payouts," explained MFour CEO Chris St. Hilaire.

MFour was recently featured in Quirks Daily News Queue for our new Amazon instant payout option. Click here to see full press mention.

Topics: amazon, daily news queue, instant payout option, quirks, four mobile research, MFour Blog, mobile application, mobile panel, surveys on the go, four

MFour in the News - August 2015

Posted by admin on Aug 12, 2015 12:23:42 PM

inthenews

 

August is a busy month for MFour, with new hires, rollout of MediaMatch 360° technology, and news of our impending expansion to Newport Beach. Here are some of MFour's recent press mentions below, including coverage by Quirks, Research-Live, and Daily Research News Online.

New Hires

MFour welcomed Andrea Han to the team as Senior Research Consultant. Han comes with 16 years of quantitative market research experience, click here to see press coverage by Research-Live

MediaMatch 360° Rollout

MediaMatch 360° launched, a product that integrates media matching technology, validates consumer behavior, and tests recall & behavior with a real-time view of consumers. Click here to see press coverage by: Quirks, by Research-Live, and by Daily Research News Online

MFour Expansion News

MFour is moving to a 14,000 square foot office in Newport Beach , effective November 1, to accommodate the growth of the company and its staff. Click here to see press coverage by Quirks and Daily Research News Online

Topics: new hires, daily news queue, daily research news online, mediamatch 360, mfour, mobile research, mobile surveys, News, quirks, technology, mfour expansion, newport beach, research live

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts