SurveyShop - an extraordinary research and data agency
Question: What do you get if you cross a super spy, a team of Marvel superheroes and the fastest animal on four legs?
Answer: Snap SurveyShop
Why? Because this survey research service has the characteristics of James Bond, the X-men and a Cheetah in abundance, as you'll discover in this article.
SurveyShop is no ordinary service. Few in the business of surveys combine research with custom data services all under one roof. Not many offer a 'menu' of survey options breaking down and simplifying the survey process into different choices whilst offering the full three courses if required. SurveyShop is composed of research specialists, project management and data processing staff. Together, they offer one of the most comprehensive and flexible survey services on the planet.
SurveyShop's Research X-men
Comparing the research team to a group of mutants may not appear to be a very complimentary analogy. Yet it is particularly apt when you consider the chemistry and blend of diverse skills that make the comic book heroes a unique and powerful force.
SurveyShop's research team may not have supernatural powers but their earthly talents of statistical analysis, market and social research, questionnaire design, technical expertise and project management combine to form an effective survey design and analysis unit.
The team's Dr Xavier is Research Manager Tamara Gooderham. Oddly mirroring the story of their superhero counterparts, Tamara's team has grown in a similar vein to Dr X's, organically and through approaches from hopefuls.
"Our service focuses on quality over anything else. We'd rather do one project extremely well than two or three mediocre ones."
Skilled in every aspect of designing, managing and analysing surveys, the researchers are multi-taskers and highly organized as individuals and as a team. However, the overarching emphasis is always on project excellence as Tamara explains, "Our service focuses on quality over anything else. We'd rather do one project extremely well than two or three mediocre ones."
The strength of the relationship with each client is key to the pursuit of quality. "Every project begins with detailed discussion and a close dialogue is maintained throughout the project." But the client contact does not stop there. "We always try to exceed the client's expectations by giving them added value on every assignment."
Project briefs vary from specific, clear-cut directions to open, non-prescriptive requirements that leave the team to fill in the gaps. The researchers are equally able to handle either type of brief, specific or general, full-blown survey or a single element.
One area in which the team has excelled and would be of great value to many organizations wishing to become more customer-focused is the field of customer satisfaction surveys. One client who was impressed by SurveyShop's work in this area was Cable and Wireless. Surveys based on the Gap Analysis method were conducted for the communications company involving the designing and hosting of online questionnaires, monitoring and managing replies and then producing detailed reports using all relevant tables, charts and statistics.
Jane Grange, the C&W manager who commissioned the project said, "The service provided by SurveyShop was exceptional. The staff were professional and very helpful and responded to all queries in a timely manner. I received help in the format of the survey and the end result was excellent. I cannot fault the service provided and would gladly use SurveyShop again"
SurveyShop's research X-men are always in search of new challenges to stretch their abilities.
SurveyShop's Cat-like Data Services
Efficient, fast, responsive.. SurveyShop's Data Centre is Cheetah-like in their ability to manage and process data. Like the magnificent feline, the team is always focused on its targets, evaluating and assessing the most efficient way to achieve success.
"We realize the role of data in critical decision-making, so we know how important it is to guarantee accuracy for clients."
Suzanne Wembridge manages the Data Centre and is keen to stress the commitment of her team to their work, "We do whatever it takes to complete tasks and meet our targets. The team even give up their spare time when necessary." But the overriding priority for Suzanne and the entire SurveyShop staff is attention to detail, "We realize the role of data in critical decision-making, so we know how important it is to guarantee accuracy for clients."
Services offered are varied and range from the coding, data preparation and entry to the export of data to formats such as Excel, Merlin and SPSS. But SurveyShop also offers a myriad of additional services including the joining of data from different surveys and databases, web survey hosting and even the arranging of a PO Box for questionnaires to be returned. "Our service is fluid and can adapt to all sorts of requests and circumstances. We go to great lengths to finding a solution to even the most awkward demands yet we never miss a deadline."
SurveyShop Data Services has many satisfied clients on its books including The Daily Telegraph. The team processes its reader surveys that are conducted several times a year. Tim Jones, Head of Research & Strategy said, "I choose SurveyShop to handle this task because they understand our needs and provide a speedy and reliable service."
Unlike a Cheetah, the busy Data Centre rarely takes time to recuperate after achieving each objective, it's straight on to the next one.
Best Value? Nobody Does It Better.
SurveyShop is on a mission..to set a new standard in survey project management. Though not quite as all action as super spy James Bond and British Intelligence, the agency has a reputation for applying the same professionalism and dedication to meeting the brief and objectives of each client.
But the motivation is more for 'Client and Company' than 'Queen and Country'.
SurveyShop approaches every project with meticulous attention to detail and even a sense of duty. Beginning with detailed discussion with the client exploring objectives, requirements, resources, timescales and so on, staff then prepare costed proposals for consideration. Once the brief has been finalized with the client, SurveyShop effectively becomes a remote department of the client organization, working in harmony.
Adaptability is a key strength for SurveyShop. It is equally adept at handling the simplest jobs such as organizing the printing of paper questionnaires, as it is in rising to the challenge of conducting international surveys for multinational corporations.
An example of a sphere in which the agency is making waves is the conducting of Best Value (BV) consultations on behalf of local government in the United Kingdom. The BV regime is a review process, introduced by the British Government, aimed at improving the quality of local government services. A vital part of the process involves councils consulting local people and measuring their satisfaction in various service areas.
SurveyShop is currently carrying out over 20 BV surveys for a number of town council departments including Benefits, Planning, Housing and General Services. Each survey is customized according to the Council's specification and a strict timetable is agreed.
The standard process involves a mail-out and collection of several thousand paper questionnaires. Reminders are sent out to non-respondents and once the deadline for replies has passed, the data is collated and input into Snap software where it is analysed to form the basis of a comprehensive report for the Council. A copy of the data file is also sent to the UK's Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in London. The whole process is extremely time-sensitive and the Council is kept fully informed throughout.
Best Value surveys are just one illustration of the many large-scale projects SurveyShop undertakes on a regular basis in both the UK and the US.
The future and beyond
These are exciting times for this dynamic agency. Consolidation and expansion are the watchwords of the moment. Like addicts, the teams just want more and more. New members are joining the ever growing SurveyShop family bringing with them additional skills and experience.
New developments are always in the pipeline with a package offer for organizations wishing to meet the 9001:2000 quality mark and new services for online surveys.
But most importantly, the list of satisfied clients is getting longer and longer.
For more information about SurveyShop:
Call our UK Offices on +44 (0) 1454 280 880.
Call our US Offices on 603-610-8700.
E-mail: info@surveyshop.com
Web: www.surveyshop.com