Arguably, no TED Talk success story ever began with the importance of thorough market research. But it should, as marketing is the key driver of every growth-oriented business in the 21st century. With the ever-shifting trends of the modern consumer market, the rise in competition in every industry, as well as the numerous economic factors that can have a deep and profound influence on the future of your industry, it comes as no surprise that continuous market research should be your no.1 priority.
In such a dynamic environment, to constantly learn is to ensure continuous growth, and the more you learn about your customers and your competition, the better you can map out your road to long-term success. With that in mind, here are the five crucial reasons why market research matters.
1. Allows you to focus on the consumer
You might be the CEO of your own company, but even you have a boss to answer to – your target demographic, your loyal and prospective clients and customers. Given the fact that running a company involves managing internal processes on a daily basis too numerous to name, it can become quite easy to get wrapped up in internal politics, differing brand goals, and personal agendas that tend to shift your focus from the things that truly matter.
Answering the needs and wishes of your potential consumers and maintaining a healthy relationship with your loyal customers requires you to stay on top of the latest developments in the field. This includes finding out what your competition is up to and how you can present a better solution, as well as how your demographic is evolving.
2. Prioritizing goals and keeping your eyes on the prize
Multitasking and creating elaborate growth strategies has become the norm in the modern business environment, for better or for worse. Unfortunately, this also means that marketers need to monitor, manage, and improve upon their strategies and individual tactics on a daily basis, oftentimes the scope of work clouding their judgement and impeding their ability to prioritize tasks accordingly.
Continuous market research can help your team members prioritize short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals along with the exact tactics that will bring them to fruition. This way, you will be able to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace, with emphasis put on resolving pressing issues first. Moreover, such meticulous organization will help your employees stay productive, positive, and stress-free.
3. Obtaining market insights is crucial to your growth
As we’ve mentioned earlier, market trends are constantly evolving, fluctuating, and sometimes changing way too fast, demanding that you keep track of the latest developments in order to ensure continuous growth. Not only that, but thorough market research should also provide you with insights detailing how the consumers and the competitive market perceive your brand.
These insights will be crucial to your long-term growth, and you can use paid surveys online to ask the most relevant questions traditional market research channels might not be able to answer. Remember, researching the competitive market requires you to go beyond mere observation, and ask the right questions that will help you adapt your strategy and plan your way to success in the field.
4. Risk management and improved decision making
Stepping into an unfamiliar market (this can even be your local market) without prior research and strategizing is much like trying to hit a bullseye on a cloudy night wearing a blindfold – someone is bound to get hurt.
Usually, this will be your brand reputation and your future in the industry. With thorough market research backing every one of your decisions, though, you can not only make all the right choices faster, but you will also be able to make them with greater confidence, resulting in an inflated ROI. And an inflated ROI is what everyone wants. This will effectively minimize risk and prevent costly mistakes that your consumers will not likely forgive or forget.
5. Adapting to the modern trends and staying relevant
The business world is a merciless arena, something you’ve surely come to witness immediately upon stepping into the market. If you’re not focusing on surpassing your competition on a daily basis and improving your company across the board (from brand awareness all the way to the bottom line), you are losing your foothold in the industry and allowing a competitor to step in and claim their piece of the proverbial cake.
So let the “adapt or perish” aphorism guide you and inspire you to prioritize market research before making any crucial decision regarding the future of your company. In turn, you will not only be able to answer the needs of the consumers, but you will also stay two steps ahead of your competition.
Market research is the driving force behind all successful business ventures, and it should be your no.1 priority if longevity and long-term success are what you’re after. With these benefits in mind, you will have no problem tailoring a unique growth strategy backed by solid facts and relevant market insights.
About Author:
My name is Raul, editor in chief at Technivorz blog. I have a lot to say about innovations in all aspects of digital technology and online marketing.
