Analytics or intuition? What’s most important? There’s a spirited debate around this question. Are the big data and analytical “quants" really going to rule the new world? Or, will the more intuitive and creative types offer leading companies the competitive edge? A quick review of three independent surveys across thousands of companies yields this answer: analytics is your winner. Let’s take a look at our three sources: Bain & Company, MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Product Development Institute (related to Stage-Gate International).

Are you losing millions of dollars as your term life policies lapse at PLT?

If you have been a silent advocate for all the benefits that market research (MR) can bring to your company, then we’re here to help you find your voice. Our Ultimate Guide to Proving Your Market Research ROI brings research to the forefront as a key player in achieving business objectives, optimizing strategies, and—most importantly—improving return on investment (ROI).

Editor’s note: we interview Philip Atkins, director of client services, who talks about how returning to and clarifying project objectives can help ensure that research insights are not wasted with inactivity. As a market researcher, do you ever feel like other departments at your company don’t render the insights and recommendations gained in studies into actionable strategy? Here’s what it takes to get all the teams are on the same page. Get the right people sitting at the table

In the first 2 installments of this 3-part series, we made the case that market research return on invest (MR ROI) can be boosted by asking 5 key questions at the outset of a project and using action standards and benchmarks.

Building an online panel with the right composition of panelists is a lot like cooking vegetable soup. Depending on your personal taste and preferences (as well as budget), you bring together a variety of ingredients and stir.

Sometimes market research (MR) takes literal rocket science, and sometimes it isn’t all that complicated, but ultimately, it’s always the right investment to make—so says the MR firm. Really? How do you know if it’s the right investment?

Panelist X is an African American male in his early 30’s living in Seattle, Washington. He works part time while attending graduate school and is married with a young child. His hobbies include reading, racquetball, and doing work around the house.

Do you have a custom online panel, or are you considering one for 2012? Make sure you avoid these common mistakes (highlighted in the slides below) to get the data you need.

Every day in offices and cyber-meetings all across the world, product management teams and innovation gurus are brainstorming new ideas for products and services. But how effective are their brainstorming efforts? And how many of their new concepts really succeed in the real marketplace?