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UCFTI Lunch & Learn sponsored by MRC Corporation
Thursday, October 8th
Time: 11:30-1:00
Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients) Lunch will be provided
Location: University Tower 12201 Research Parkway, 2nd Floor,
Orlando, FL., 32826
Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu
Few aspects of starting a business are more obvious yet more
overlooked than listening to the customer. Even though it is
an obvious thing to do, the marketplace is littered with examples
of businesses and products, large and small, that failed because
they didn't ask for, understand and heed the voice of the customer.
Most claim after the fact that they either thought they already
knew what the customer wanted or they simply ran out of money
and couldn't afford it.
The goal of any company is to market and sell a product or service
that is wildly popular and that everyone wants. But how do you
know what the needs of a customer are and design your product
or service to meet that need? The answer to this question is
the insight that comes from effective market research. In this
presentation MRC will discuss:
- The Value and Benefits of Market Research
- Myths About Market Research
- Why Small Businesses Avoid It
- Market Research Techniques
- How to Get Started
- Focusing on the Unmet Needs of Consumers
- Why Market Research Does Not Have to be Costly
MRC team members will reveal the secrets of "guerrilla market research" - on-traditional approaches to listening to customers and low cost methods of conducting traditional ones. If it's important to you to launch a business or product successfully, this session is a must.
SPEAKERS
J. Christopher Samulowitz
Strategic Planning, Business Development & Human Capital
Chris is the Founder and President of MRC Corporation and Managing
Partner of Tranquility Capital Partners, LLC. His skills and
experience have benefited companies ranging from small, privately
held firms to America's largest corporations. His diverse client
base includes companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device,
information systems, advertising, apparel brands, telecommunications,
research and development, construction and manufacturing. Chris'
role as a strategic advisor is focused on organizational assessment,
development and talent acquisition.
James C. Siegel
Strategic Marketing & Market Research
Prior to joining MRC Corporation, Jim spent 17 years as a corporate
senior manager in charge of worldwide consumer insight strategy
prior to forming his own consulting practice focused on market
research and business plan development. He has been responsible
for market research focusing on consumer attitudes, behaviors
and needs, including e-commerce, consumer attitudinal segmentation,
brand portfolio management, cohort studies and demographic/social
trends. Jim has chaired an international benchmarking council
of world class, non-competing, customer-centric companies which
included IBM, Xerox, Disney, Microsoft, Harley-Davidson, Ingram
Micro, Milliken, and CIBC. |
