Developing Insights and An Action Plan

This short chapter covers preparing a report about marketing research results and presenting the information to decision-makers. You should document an entire marketing research project in a written report. The report should:

  • outline the research questions;
  • provide details about the research design and approach;
  • summarize data collection and analysis procedures; and
  • summarize results, including major findings that can affect strategic decision-making.

A formal presentation of results to key decision-makers is recommended. How would you justify sharing research results in both written and oral reports?

A successful presentation provides conclusions (based on the insights gathered) that effectively meet the objectives of the research.


Learning Objective

  • Identify the characteristics of preparing ,presenting and documenting the results of marketing research

Key Points

  • Report Preparation & Presentation is the sixth step in the Marketing Research Process.
  • The entire project should be documented in a written report that addresses the specific research questions identified; describes the approach, research design, data collection, and data analysis procedures adopted; and presents the results and the major findings.
  • The findings should be presented in a comprehensible format so they can be readily used in the decision making process.
  • In addition, an oral presentation should be made to management using tables, figures, and graphs to enhance clarity and impact.

Terms

  • Executive Summary A short document or section of a document that summarizes a longer report or proposal in such a way that readers can rapidly become acquainted with a large body of material without having to read it all.
  • Market Research The systematic collection and evaluation of data regarding customers' preferences for actual and potential products and services.

Example
  • An example of a presentation is a PowerPoint document supported by graphs, media, or visual elements that showcase the research objectives, data collection, insights, and conclusions/recommendations.

Overview of the Market Research Process:

  • Step 1: Problem Definition
  • Step 2: Development of an Approach to the Problem
  • Step 3: Research Design Formulation
  • Step 4: Field Work or Data Collection
  • Step 5: Data Preparation & Analysis
  • Step 6: Report Preparation & Presentation

Step 6: Report Preparation & Presentation

During the Report Preparation & Presentation step, the entire project should be documented in a written report that addresses the specific research questions identified; describes the approach, the research design, data collection, and data analysis procedures adopted; and presents the results and the major findings. This permanent document is also helpful because it can be easily referenced by others who may not have been part of the research.

The findings should be presented in a comprehensible format so that they can be readily used in the decision making process. In addition, an oral presentation should be made to management using tables, figures, and graphs to enhance clarity and impact.

Presentation Someone giving a presentation using visual elements.

Presentation Someone giving a presentation using visual elements.

A successful presentation will include but is not limited to the following elements:

  • Final conclusions (based on the insights gathered from data collected) that effectively meet the initial objectives of the research
  • Recommendations about how to apply the research
  • Charts, graphs, and visual elements that help showcase important facts and make the presentation easily digestible and memorable

A formal research report presentation typically includes the following:

  • Table of Contents
  • Executive Summary
  • Background
  • Research Objectives
  • Research Methodology
  • Highlights of Fieldwork Data Collected
  • Appendix (including Respondent Screening Instrument and Questionnaire)
  • Findings/Insights
  • Recommendations/Implications and Action Plan

Source: Boundless, http://www.library.snls.org.sz/boundless/boundless/marketing/textbooks/boundless-marketing-textbook/consumer-marketing-4/the-market-research-process-34/developing-insights-and-an-action-plan-180-854/index.html
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Last modified: Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 9:03 AM