M/A/R/C®
Search the blog:

Archive for October, 2014

« Previous Entries

Are You Ready For Some Football?! Join the Week 10 Football Pool!

Friday, October 31st, 2014

Congratulations to Ken Troupe, who won week 8 of the football pool and will get a $25 American Express gift card. For winning the week Ken joins Scott Waller, Ryan Barry, Jason DeVoe ,Lynn Stallone, Colleen Nelson Ryan Rojas, Brooks Deaton and Bobbie Kirkland to qualify for championship week.

To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Remember, the weekly winners will be given a spot in the grand prize pool which will be during week 17 for an opportunity to win $500 and, of course, bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people (as of today Phillip Savage and David Leicht) with the highest cumulative score (these standings will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

All picks need to be in by 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, November 6, 2014.

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (298) »

Time to Get a Haircut…is Getting it Colored Next?

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

I get my hair cut about every three weeks and I always make fun of the amount of gray hair I have. Recently, the person who cuts my hair (thanks S.Y.) has been asking me if I’d like my hair colored and every time I say “No, definitely not, whatever is supposed to happen will happen.” However, I must admit that I’m coming off my answer a little bit and asked S.Y. what % of men over 40 color their hair and I was shocked to find out that the percentage is very high – over 50%! After I heard that, I started to ask around: Who does get their hair colored? While many of my friends won’t say they do it all the time they WILL and DID admit to having it done a few times.

I think gray hair looks distinguished on a guy…but maybe that’s the wrong way of looking at it!

  • Do you like gray hair on a man over 45?
  • What % of men over 40 do you think get their hair colored?
  • Okay…Here Goes! Should I get my hair colored?

    I look forward to reading your comments

    Posted in General Comments | Post Comments (14) »

I Need Your Help! I Need a New Homepage….Any Ideas?

Monday, October 27th, 2014

For the last few years, MSN has been my internet homepage. Within the past few weeks there have been some changes to the site and frankly, I just don’t like it as much as I used too.

I need your help. I am ready, willing and able to change my home page but haven’t decided what to go with.

Are You Ready For Some Football?! Join the Week 9 Football Pool!!

Friday, October 24th, 2014

Congratulations to Scott Waller who won week 7 of the football pool and will get a $25 American Express gift card. For winning the week Scott joins Ryan Barry, Jason DeVoe ,Lynn Stallone, Colleen Nelson Ryan Rojas, Brooks Deaton and Bobbie Kirkland to qualify for championship week.

To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Remember, the weekly winners will be given a spot in the grand prize pool which will be during week 17 for an opportunity to win $500 and, of course, bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people with the highest cumulative score (these standings will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

All picks need to be in by 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

PS: 45% of pool participants say that Fall is their favorite season, followed by Summer with 31%, Spring with 18% and Winter with 6%.

Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (296) »

Time To Watch Our Video Post…Let Me Know: Did I Do The Right Thing?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Please watch the short video.

    • Did I or did I not do the right thing?
    • Have you thought about leaving a doctor’s office because he or she made you wait too long?
    • Have you actually left an office like this?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in General Comments | Post Comments (17) »

Attention Researchers! A Quick Interview with Global Leaders by Guest Writer, Ed Sugar.

Monday, October 20th, 2014

This past summer, I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with two extraordinary individuals in today’s market research profession; Kara Mitchelmore, CEO at the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association of Canada and Finn Raben, Director General of ESOMAR. I thought it would be interesting to share with my fellow stateside researchers just a few of the issues these two leaders are facing as our industry continues to rapidly change and evolve.

Q. What is the one thing that differentiates Market Research in Canada/Europe from the United States?

  • Finn: Well, firstly, Size!! The US is the single largest MR market in the world, and the growth that it recorded in 2013 is the equivalent value of the total Canadian MR market!
    The other element which differentiates us from the US market is our attitude towards Privacy, and the enforcement of regulations relating to it. In the US, Privacy is (primarily) regulated by the FTC, as a kind of consumer right, whereas in Europe it is viewed and regulated as a fundamental human right, and so it is much more likely to be enshrined in law.

  • Kara: Yes, I would agree. The benefit of the FTC approach is that breaches and fines can be more quickly implemented, but the downside is that it will always be based more on interpretation, rather than on a prescriptive law. There is currently a debate going on in the Canadian Government regarding privacy, which could see a shift in how privacy will be regulated in the future.
    That said, the closer alignment between Canada and Europe on these matters, means that there is less misunderstanding of the requirements of the different countries in Europe, and allows us to facilitate our members global operations in a very streamlined way.

    Q: In your opinion, why should anyone join an Association these days?

  • Kara: This is a great question – and one which we (both) struggle with daily!
    Being a part of an association essentially offers members a way to distinguish themselves from others –through the multiple networking opportunities to meet your peers, the professional development opportunities to build your expertise and knowledge, and the adherence to recognized international standards. We need members and the industry at large to understand the importance in belonging to and working with Association members as it shows a commitment to quality and high standards.

  • Finn: Indeed! Bearing in mind that membership is a voluntary choice – and thus the adherence to standards (and the associated disciplinary systems in case of a breach) is also voluntary – is a clear signal to peers on both the supplier and buyer side that you are willing to invest more in your business (and the industry) to provide high quality work. From an ESOMAR perspective, we also try to connect international researchers, facilitate a global exchange of best practices, and with partners such as the MRIA in Canada and others elsewhere, provide a resource for formulating guidelines (be they on emerging methodologies or nascent legislation) that aid clients and agencies alike.

    Q: What is the biggest challenge to your association today?

  • Finn: In a catchphrase: “Future-proofing”….those who are current members, or who have had prior experience or exposure to what we do, know our value – but does the next generation? And are we “fit for purpose” for that next generation? This is true of both client-side and agency-side, and often times, our (extensive) “bite” is considerably less well known than our “bark” – yet it is this very “bite” which demonstrates to our members our association’s wish to enforce the standards we all sign up to, as well as our efforts to ensure those standards are current and topical.

  • Kara: That’s true – Remaining relevant to the industry is key, so that buyers of research recognize and require (insist?!) that their supplier MR professionals have membership, in order to qualify to respond to RFP’s. Membership for them should be an added “value” – an added insurance, if you like – that their supplier company operates to the highest standards, and has willingly invested in his/herself and their company, to demonstrate a true USP.

    • Do you have any questions for Kara or Finn regarding their organizations?
    • Any thought on global market research or the future of our profession?

    I look forward to reading your comments!

    Posted in Guest Bloggers, Interviews | Post Comments (9) »

    • Are You Ready For Some Football?! Join the Week 8 Football Pool!!

    Friday, October 17th, 2014

    Congratulations to Ryan Barry & Jason DeVoe who were tied for week 6 of the football pool and each will get a $25 American Express gift card.. For winning the week Ryan & Jason join Lynn Stallone, Colleen Nelson Ryan Rojas, Brooks Deaton and Bobbie Kirkland to qualify for the championship week.

    To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

    Remember, the weekly winners will be given a spot in the grand prize pool which will be during week 17 for an opportunity to win $500 and, of course, bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people with the highest cumulative score (these standings will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

    All picks need to be in by 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

    Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

    Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

    Good luck to all.

    PS: 6% of the pool respondents do not have a favorite NFL team. Additionally, 50% of participants DO live in the city where their favorite team is located!

    Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (308) »

    Take a Quick Look Into Your Wallet…and…Read One.

    Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

    A few weeks ago, I was going through my wallet looking for something and came across something of interest. Yes, my wallet is like most, it includes a few pictures, credit cards, cash, loyalty cards and my driver’s license but I also found something that I thought I would share today.

    I found a quote that was a favorite of someone very close to me who passed away far too early. LKW was the father of my college roommate; a rare individual who had a permanent smile on his face and could light up a room with his personality as soon as he walked in. Without question, he was one of the most special people I have ever spent time with. For over ten years I’ve kept this quote in my wallet:

    “The only possible way to get through a day is to face life with optimism – no matter the obstacles. One has to look for the goodies they hand out – you have to savor a sunset, a good set of tennis, an hour spent talking to a good friend, someone you’d tell anything to – a hot fudge sundae. There will always be bad news that comes in under the transom, but I think we’re here through the tough times to survive. If there is one thing you should always have…it is a sense of humor. If you don’t have one, do anything to get one: buy one, borrow one, steal one. That’s the springboard to get you over the hurdles.” -James Kirkwood (1930-1994).

    So today, take a moment to go through your wallet or purse and tell me:

    • Did you find a treasure like I did?
    • If you did, please describe what it means to you
    • Were there any surprises in your wallet?

      I look forward to reading your comments!

      Posted in Life | Post Comments (9) »

    Attention Researchers: Do you Agree with My Opinion?

    Monday, October 13th, 2014

    Today’s post will be a little bit different. My message is a video that Michelle Adams from Brainology shot after a recent conference at which I presented.

    Please watch the short video.

    Get the Flash Player to see this content.

      • Do you agree with my opinion?
      • Do you like video posts?
      • Moving forward, would you like for me to have more video posts on the blog?

    I look forward to reading your comments.

    Posted in Business | Post Comments (7) »

    Are You Ready for Some Football?! Join the Week 7 Football Pool!!

    Friday, October 10th, 2014

    Congratulations to Lynn Stallone who beat out 320 participants to win the 5th week of the pool and the $50 American Express gift card. Additionally, Lynn joins Colleen Nelson Ryan Rojas, Brooks Deaton and Bobbie Kirkland to qualify for the championship week.

    To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

    Remember, the weekly winners will be given a spot in the grand prize pool which will be during week 17 for an opportunity to win $500 and, of course, bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people with the highest cumulative score (these standings will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners. Currently Stacey Zontini and Brooks are tied for the lead with 54 wins followed by FrankieV and Amy Shields with 53 wins

    All picks need to be in by 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, October 16, 2014.

    Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

    Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

    Good luck to all.

    PS. Interesting note: Only 21% of the pool participants would like to have Friday night football!

    Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (307) »

    « Previous Entries