Knowing which markets or business opportunities to pursue is part of good business planning. But how do you know where to focus your money and time?

Saint Mary's University Business Development Centre has access to the latest academic research on relevant business trends, which can be  accessed to assist in your business planning.

Combined with our academic reach, our consultants are trained in the areas of:

• Survey design (both for employees and stakeholders) Conducting focus groups and interviews
• Needs assessment studies
  
  

The SMUBDC partners with faculty from a wide range of disciplines.

Primary and Secondary Market Research:

Primary research is done through the development of survey tools, conducting focus groups and one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders to your project, both internal (employees) and external (partners, stakeholders, customers). This is the collection of data that does not already exist. Secondary research is a thorough examination and summary of research and/or literature that has already been written and collected.

Customer and Employee Satisfaction Surveys:

Developed through primary research, surveying customers or other end users of your product or service is a critical step to properly reacting to what your customers want and need. Employee surveys allow you to examine whether you are meeting the needs of your employees, and gives them a formal, yet anonymous way to deliver their feedback to management. Surveys are quantitative in nature and use standardized answer scales so data can be easily collated and analyzed.

Needs Assessment / Feasibility Assessment:

Using all of the tools described above, a feasibility assessment determines the viability of a particular initiative. The end result of a feasibility assessment is to give you direction on whether you should proceed with the initiative, and if so, when the best time to do so. A feasibility assessment or needs assessment will examine feedback from all key stakeholders by using primary and secondary research techniques. It will also examine financial requirements and any other necessary requirements (legal, organizational, technical).