What would you like to see?

[FocusZenith]

Hi everyone

We're currently looking at having our web site redesigned and our developer has come up with a good idea. Each month we are thinking of having a "Research of the Month" section. Basically we will undertake a street poll on different topics and then post the results on the web site. What I would like to know now is what sort of topics business would like to see? Please give us your ideas and whether your question relates to consumers or businesses.

I look forward to your ideas.

Many thanks

Laurance

_________________

FocusZenith
Research and Information Consultants

Tel: 01949 829165
L.Higgs@FocusZenith.com

[cqueen]

I would like to know more about how to get companys to pay up, when they owe you money.

[creospace]

complete a county court summons and photocopy it. Send them the photocopy and say if they don't pay with 7 days the origional will go to court and they will have a ccj they could seriously effect future applications for credit etc.

That normally does the trick, otherwise contact nicthechick from this group.

Gary

[cqueen]

The problem is, I'll be getting work from them every year, maybe twice a year, so I dont want to upset them.

[creospace]

I have those sort of clients too, a firm reminding of there obligation to pay now and again always works, depends on your relationship with them and the amounts

sometiems it's better to drop a company, after all a bad payer isn't actually any good to you!

Sorry we've hijacked this poor mans thread :)

[FocusZenith]

I don't mind being hijacked :) . Perhaps one topic that could be looked at is:

"Has your business experienced difficulties with customers not paying? If so, how did you go about collecting what you were owed?"

Would that be something of interest?

The more ideas that people give the better.

[creospace]

Yes that sounds like a good idea.

Gary

[FocusZenith]

OK, well that's one for the list.

Come on then folks, let's hear your ideas :)

[cqueen]

What about an article about how 90% of franchises for sale in magazines are unprofitable? the other 10% being a damn right scam lol

[Coding Monkey]

The problem is, I'll be getting work from them every year, maybe twice a year, so I dont want to upset them.

Nic can still take care of this for you.

Get in touch (http://admiral-collections.com) with her and see how he can help.

[FocusZenith]

*Quick bump*

[WakingDragon]

OK. I would like a bit of research into how consumers view charity retailing. Specifically how they view charities like Oxfam selling goods that are purchased for retail rather than donations. Also, looking at what the limits are to charities doing this, and what are the things that make people buy them.

If you are keen on the idea, my company has a mailing going out to a couple of thousand charities in the near future and we might be able to work together on drumming up some future business.

PM me if it is of interest. If no, no worries.

[WakingDragon]

Another one that would be of serious use to me (and an opportunity to co-promote) would be on ethical business policies.

Again - PM for info :)

[cqueen]

Oh while you're on the subject, I'd like to find out how much the cheif exec of these 'non profit' charitys earn.

Like the adverts you see on tv for animal charitys... ''Rover never had a family to love and care for him'' - cue sad violin music.

... so people feel sorry for Rover and ring up to donante.

[FocusZenith]

So some potential topics for us to look at as part of our Research of the Month:

* Debt recovery
* Franchising
* Charities
* Business ethics

What else would people be interested in?

[FocusZenith]

I'm still looking for ideas so let's hear what you would be interested in seeing.

[Dawg]

A general survey of how much people use eCommerce, (especially smaller eComm sites), trust paying online, get satisfactory results etc. Results useful to small eComm people, not the Amazons/ Dabs of this world

[SillyJokes]

old star trek, new star trek?

[Dawg]

Silly Jokes,
isn't it "I'm a midnight toker"?
It's only just past noon. :wink:

[WakingDragon]

Come on people! This is a good opportunity to get some useful research done for ya. There must be some consumer or business market research you want doing?

How about the following (just roughly based upon some topics raised in the forums recently)...

[customer research]
- What makes a good sandwich bar?
- What makes a successful hairdressing salon?
- How/when do you use yellow pages?
- Do you buy from shops found through Google? What are you looking for from them to make you buy?

[b2b research]
- How would you go about choosing a web designer?
- What marketing is most likely to reach you?
- What are your attitudes to working with new and small businesses? What are your fears etc?