The Market Sage

Introduction -- the question Setting up the Engagement The options Contact Us A Look at Our Services: It all starts with the fundamental question. Many market research and analysis firms take the dump-truck approach to your needs. Contact them with a need for information, and soon you will hear the distinct beep of the research dumptruck pulling up to unload a mountain of data on you. The rational is somewhere in the pile is a nugget of information that will help you with the project at hand. Not necessarily efficient, but effective in some cases. We'd rather get right to the point. Thus, before a dime of your resources is spent, we want to know what it is you really need or want to know. Not sure? We can help there too. Survey research firms are set up a similar way -- you tell them what you need and they conduct a survey to find the answers. The trouble is, sometimes this can miss the mark and not be what your firm needs now. Or sometimes, the data actually already exists. Worse, you may end up with great data to be analyzed, but the firm you've hired only knows methods, and not your particular market, meaning they leave you as rudderless as before. More inefficiency and more wasted dollars. Once again, The Market Sage is different. With question in hand, and 10 years of experience in market research, the consumer electronics, and IT channels, we specifically target our products and deliverables to your unique situation. The outcome is information your firm can use for specific action, rather than for pure intellectual benefit. Setting up an engagement. Ultimately, an in-depth conversation about your goals and plans is really necessary to determine which services and products you need. Our assignments with you could range from a quick  download of information through a short white paper or presentation to a multi-month engagement involving a series of written or verbal deliverables. It is entirely up to you and can be molded to your needs as we progress and learn along the way. Some options that others have utilized in the past include:
A quick fix: For those needing just a quick take or immediate deliverable relating to a specific need, we have offered a 2-hour question and answer session -- $500, or a short written summary -- $2000 On-going consultation: For ongoing needs, some companies have arranged to have a once-per month, year-long series of phone consultations/Q&A sessions about industry trends -- $6000, or a retainer agreement for a set number of hours each month, with a series of deliverables -- price varies according to the number of hours. Tailored survey analysis: Some members of the Consumer Electronics Association wish to take better advantage of the free survey data provided by CEA by applying the results to their company situations. The Market Sage has offered customized analysis through a written report (approx. 25 pages) and 2-hour presentation of results -- $6000 Full market opportunity analysis: This flagship product as described to the right is for the company looking to develop a full business/ strategic plan of attack, involving either one large or multiple deliverables over a protracted period. Price varies depending on length of engagement, though typically is a 3+ month term.	Market Opportunity Analysis (MOA): This is our flagship engagement in which we really get to know your needs with the purpose of fully investigating an opportunity for you. A typical MOA deliverable looks much like your typical business or strategic plan and would include sections covering each of the following: Measurement of size of opportunity, including total potential revenues and number of customers Description and profiling of the target customer A look at desired features of the product An investigation of the competitive landscape Identification of the barriers to entry into the market (such as IP issues) Exploration of routes to market, including desired channel partners Strategic and tactical recommendations The net result is a better sense for whether the desired market opportunity is a worthwhile venture for your company and is a great start to a follow-on marketing plan.
Call us to start your journey. The actual scope of work, and thus the costs associated will vary depending on your own needs. Call us (703-598-0510) or e-mail for more information about how The Market Sage can help you in your own ascent up the mountains of opportunity, starting with selecting the right peak.