Here are 3 things to know about implementing market segmentation.

Executive Summary Snapshot To maximize results, companies must fully leverage data and analytics Most companies use segmentation, consumer data, or predictive analytics For best results, companies must combine all three disciplines

Many companies aspire to grow and maintain their brand loyalists—the customers who purchase their products time and time again. After all, this small segment of heavy users often accounts for the majority of a company’s sales. But within this group of loyalists, there’s an even smaller—and more powerful—segment of consumers that is often overlooked. This group, known as “Super Consumers,” might just hold the secret to success for your company. 

Editor’s note: this post is by guest blogger, Corey Dall, who served as marketing manager for FGI Research for 2 years before starting her tenure as the digital marketing manager for a local bank. This is her reflection on her time here and some of the lessons she learned from our industry thought leaders.

We just get back from the 2013 Chartwell Utility Market Research Summit in sunny Phoenix, AZ.

From top to bottom to middle market, 2013 will be the year life insurers and annuity providers explore how to build powerful consumer profiles that define evolving consumer segments. 

The relationship between your business, your research, and your consumers is like an Oreo cookie. Your business is the face of the Oreo, with the logo that makes it distinct and recognizable as a top-notch snack. Your consumers are the bottom cookie, supporting your business, making the whole package sweeter and easier to handle. 

To the intrepid brand or product manager, the retail line review evokes the specter of sleepless nights, tense negotiations, detailed forecasts, and 90-minute presentations that make or break the financial future of the product. Today's retail line review is an exhaustive, high-stakes, and sometimes fruitless struggle for prime shelf space.

Plenty of people like hot tea. Many others love iced tea. Anyone for lukewarm tea? Didn’t think so. Well, if you’re launching new products and expensive advertising campaigns without segmenting your customers, you might as well be serving lukewarm tea. Too many companies develop products, services, features, and ad campaigns that attempt to satisfy the average customer or the average preferences of their customers. Here’s the catch: there isn’t an average customer.

Have you ever Googled your own company? You likely found variety of information—and whether you’re the SEO specialist or not, it’s good to know what people say about you or your business.