Detailed project information

Statistical and historical data for funding purposes – Council controlled trading organisation

Challenge: The client needed statistical and historical data to support their argument with the Government to increase their clients' benefit. Some of the questions needing answers were:

Why did the government make the decision it did?
Are the reasons for the decision made in 2005 still valid today?
How and why do some areas receive 25% more in benefits than other areas?
What is the difference in costs per area?

Solution: To obtain the information we contacted various government departments, organisations and private businesses. In some cases obtaining information from the government took one month. The time allocated for this research was 6.5 hours.

Results: Very successful. We obtained all the information the client needed and this information definitely supported their argument. This company didn't know where to locate the information and they didn't have the time to search for it. Utilising Research Services was definitely cost effective and an efficient use of their time.

What solar water heating systems are available?

Challenge: Locate what solar water heating systems are available on the New Zealand market (features, costs, guarantees, where manufactured). This research had to have enough reliable and objective information for the client to select the system that would best meet their needs and specifications.

Solution:

Obtain details from the building specifications regarding type of system required.
Search the relevant trade organisation for a list of businesses selling solar water heating systems.
Contact these businesses and obtain the above information.
Search the World Wide Web and other links to obtain positive or negative reports regarding any of these systems.

Results: After 20 hours of research, we listed 20 types of solar water heating systems available on the New Zealand market that would suit the specifications. Also we highlighted suppliers that had negative comments and two suppliers that either had awards or, recommendations about their system. Suppliers used in this research were sourced from the organisations' list of accredited suppliers and installers of solar water heating systems.

How do solar water heating systems work?

Challenge: Some clients were uncertain how solar water heating systems worked. Therefore a report explaining this and a more in depth discussion of the positive and negative reports and articles found was needed.

Solution:

Search relevant organisations to obtain details of the components and how they work.
Explain the differences between the three types of solar water heating systems.
Personally contact suppliers/manufacturers to obtain further information.
Highlight ways to increase the performance of a system.
Provide links to reports and articles mentioned in this report.

Results: A well presented report so the client could peruse and clearly understand the types of systems and how they work. Discussion on the positive and negative reports and articles found was also included, with links provided. Overall this report enabled our clients to understand what the best system is for them and how to ensure excellent performance.

Fire proofing of steel beams – builder/project manager

Challenge: to find within two hours, what fire proofing materials or products are available in the New Zealand market.

Solution: Searched World Wide Web and various databases, also spoke to New Zealand Fire Engineers.

Result: An up-to-date spreadsheet of what's currently available in New Zealand, which a Fire Engineer perused and verified as correct.

Background search of a Chinese company – fitness company

Challenge: Our client wanted to purchase a substantial amount of products from a company in China. Before they made that commitment, they wanted to know if the company was credible and reliable. Therefore a background search of that company was needed.

Solution:

Contact Trade and Enterprise for their opinion and contacts in China.
Scope the market to ascertain what methods and costs were available.

Results: After two hours we showed three different methods and a vast difference in prices. The client chose the company they wanted to perform the background search and we organised the search. After the search our client felt confident and reassured they were dealing with a reliable company.

Pedestrian parking meter shelter – property manager

The parking meter was solar powered so the material for the roof had to allow solar rays to penetrate to the parking meter. We located information about the best material to use within 30 minutes.

Digital camera – property manager

Challenge: Our client wanted a pocket size camera, 7-8 megapixels, optical zoom between 3-5 and the price to be less than $400.00. They didn't have the time to siphon through all the available information and therefore wanted us to perform the search and give them a choice of two cameras.

Solution: Research Services Ltd searched various consumer reports, websites and contacted camera outlets to locate the best price and ensure that the model was currently available.

Result: After two hours we gave them a choice of two brands based on their requirements.

Non-slip type products for footbridges and walkways – city council

Challenge: Our client wasn't satisfied with the non-slip material they were currently using. They wanted to know what alternative products were available on the New Zealand market.

Solution: We obtained a variety of alternative products. This included pricing and valuable feedback from suppliers or manufacturers as to where they have used this product and how effective it has been.

The process of obtaining this information was:

Onsite inspection of material already being used.
Searching online and relevant databases for products and suppliers.
Gathering data from the manufacturer' suppliers' websites and contacting them if more information was required.
Liaising with Department of Conservation and various councils for their opinion.

Result: The information we supplied the City Council, enabled them to select and install another product that they were confident would be suitable for that environment. Also they were able to use the same information to confidently select other products for other environments.

Alternative roading products – engineers

Challenge: To find an in-between product that is currently being used in New Zealand and to obtain comment from the users, manufacturers and their competition. Where and how long has it been used? How successful is the product?

Solution:

Locate specific information about alternative products through the client' s contacts (via website, email or telephone).
Investigate further links to obtain more information.
Obtain data and reports from appropriate businesses and organisations.

Results:

After researching for 8 hours we located and gathered the information needed. The benefits to our client in outsourcing this research was:

To enable them to continue working on their core business
To obtain information from the competition that they mightn't have been able to.
Less stress
Cost effective

New business ideas

Challenge: My client was working full-time with little time to research whether there was a business already selling their idea. If so, where were they located, what were they offering?

Solution: Search the World Wide Web, libraries and various databases to ascertain what is currently on the NZ market.

Results showed there were competitors. However, there were gaps in the service competitors were offering which my client could market. Performing this research prior to investing money into the business idea has enabled my client to assess whether it will still be viable.
Challenge: To turn a recreational passion into a full-time business, what do they have to do and who do they contact for the relevant paperwork and permission?

Solution: First we located information regarding the exact geographical areas that they would be operating in. We were then able to contact the appropriate Councils and Government Departments to obtain information about the necessary requirements and paper work they would need.

Result: Whilst my client continued working in their full-time business, we researched for two hours and located the information they needed to help them decide whether to proceed to the next stage of their business idea. The information we obtained by speaking to the appropriate person, enabled us to gain their opinion about the business idea and other vital feedback. This was very beneficial for my client when they had meetings with the council or government departments.
Challenge: My client wanted to generate a passive income from developing a new concept of the business they already own. They needed to obtain a vast amount of information throughout New Zealand to gauge if there was a demand for it, how much time and money they would need to invest and whether it would be viable.

Solution: The solution was research as follows:
- Appropriate Associations for any databases we could use.
- Searching world wide web
- Searching appropriate websites and following links to obtain costs and what they stocked.
- Personally contacting outlets by email or phone to obtain more information.
Results: We found that all the information they needed wasn't obtainable within the 3.5 hours allocated. This was partly due to not all businesses advertising in databases or online. Therefore more time was needed to search magazines, libraries and other outlets. However, from the information we did obtain it showed which areas would be viable and where there were gaps in the market.

If you would like to discuss any of these projects or your own research requirements, contact Research Services Ltd on 04 565 0739 or email k.deboer@researchservices.co.nz.