The Research Dilemma - A new approach to market research

SSP have developed a market research analysis package that is brief, precise and accurate but entirely customised to each individual client and at a fixed cost. Our clients have welcomed the single-focus approach that we take, in which we provide the answers that they really need.

SSP has been in the business of helping software and technology companies expand for over nine years. Experience has shown us that the successful companies are those that do their homework.

However, researching new markets both locally and abroad can be costly and time-consuming. It is all too tempting to miss out what in practice is a vital step, and to jump into the fray and hope for the best.

Time-consuming, yes, but it does not have to be costly. A little money well spent, perhaps, might be nearer the mark.

There seem to be three main choices available when it comes to researching new markets.

1. Assign the task in-house.


2. Purchase an off the shelf report


3. Engage a company to do a customised and lengthy piece of research

Option 1 seems the least expensive, but involves taking a colleague off another task and expecting him or her to work completely from scratch.

Option 2 will give you good general information, although probably already out of date, and it will not be specific to your company.

Option 3 would be expensive and very often gives you far more than you need, albeit very current and thorough.

The SSP proposal

SSP’s proposal is to provide the answers to the most pressing questions in the technology industry today. The questions most commonly asked are:

• Who are our major competitors in our own market?


• Should we partner with a company with complementary technology?


• Which complementary technology we should look for?


• Who are our major competitors in country X?


• How viable would it be to market our product in another country?


• How should we market our product in another country?


• Who would be our potential partners?


• What are the main factors about our chosen country that we should be aware of?

In 2003, SSP formed a partnership with Strategem, who provide all the partnering and research for many of the UK government bodies including Wales Trade International. It was in the process of conducting several research projects on behalf of Welsh technology companies that we developed our popular market research analysis package.

We would like to offer the same research package to you as we are doing for Wales Trade companies. A typical report might include the following:

• A brief overview of the chosen market/country


• A comparative analysis of the main local competitors, including those operating globally, if appropriate.


• Potential partner details (maximum 5)


• Recommendations

This would be at a fixed cost of $2500 payable 50% at the start and the remainder upon submission of the research.

For more information and samples of research conducted, please contact us.