Each client has his or her own individual requirement, but we have found that by adopting a straightforward yet thorough 5-step approach to our projects we are able to produce the most effective outcomes.

Step 1: Understanding your market and business needs

Step 2: Searching the right sources

Step 3: Filtering by validation and analysis

Step 4: Creating the insight

Step 5: Presenting the results

Step 1

Understanding your market and business needs

• For SMEs, we do our very best to understand your situation, and your market potential. In our research, we make sure that we clearly understand what sort of information is necessary for analysis in order to achieve the best result.
• If you are a trade association or NGO, we can help you to develop an effective business programme or support service in Europe for you and/or your clients.
• We feed back our initial analysis and confirm our proposed work process before proceeding.

Step 2

Searching the right sources

• We can access key International data sources. Our search process involves both primary and secondary data collection.
• Primary data might include trade interviews, store checks, consumer observations and some consumer research. We use face-to-face interviews, as well as telephone interviewing and self-completion questionnaires.
• Secondary data includes extensive use of business libraries in European countries, National Statistics Offices, banks, multilateral organisations and online databases including those of both governmental and non-governmental organisations. In addition, we review all relevant published data accessible from trade associations, commercially produced market reports, trade press, trade shows and company reports.
• Searce gathers information from an international perspective. We are based in different countries, enabling us to directly access the main information sources in the UK, France, the Netherlands and elsewhere, ensuring a broad-based appreciation of available information.

Step 3

Filtering by validation and analysis

• We review all data/information before using it. As market trends change quickly, we use up-to-date information. This ensures that we are as confident as possible with the accuracy, reliability and integrity of the information.
• We endeavour to use multiple sources including industry experts, and adjust data accordingly to allow for conflicting opinions. If information is lacking or unclear, we would undertake supplementary research.
• We filter and categorize all data by country and segment, then analyse it and make relationships. We look at what is driving market trends, assess how they might influence market growth and we estimate how these trends might evolve. Understanding these and other factors will contribute to the quality of our analysis.

Step 4

Creating the insight

• Once we have processed and analysed the data, we have the expertise to create the insights that are both relevant to your business needs and consistent with the necessary actions that meet today’s demands for sustainable work practices.
• This step should highlight your key opportunities and enable you to take the necessary actions to develop your business.
• High quality, insightful conclusions are the essence of our work and we attach particular importance to this part of our methodology.
• Our results are carefully considered and the high standards by which we operate are designed to provide our clients with the quality assurance they should expect when working with Searce.

Step 5 

Presenting the results

• Our results are presented on an independent and neutral basis and we try to make honest assessments as the basis to shape your marketing strategy.
• We present our results in the most appropriate language for you and your company’s staff. We acknowledge, particularly for certain organisations that might not be familiar with some marketing or business terminology, the importance of ensuring that readers can understand a report’s content. We avoid jargon as much as we can.
• We ensure that our results are clearly written and presented. We believe that our reports can be enhanced by effective use of visual imagery such as photographs, illustrations, figures and tables, as much as by the written content itself.

Our results can take the following forms:

Research reports

• European summary reports
• Country and market reports
• Product and sector-specific reports
• Retailing and channel reports
• Strategic planning reports

Training materials

• Information sheets
• Guidelines on research
• Guidelines on business culture
• e-learning tools