The 2008 US Presidential Election was fascinating for a multitude of reasons, but in particular because of the use of new marketing.

By Dmitry Shimanov, General Director of MAR Consult Research Agency
Also accessible on SIS Worldwide Intelligence Library

One of the common mistakes existing in business circles is that marketing research is necessary only for large companies. As a matter of fact, small businesses require it as much as transnational corporations.
Why? Here are four reasons.

First, in order to expand market share, small companies need to find a suitable niche. This is why market analysis and SWOT analysis of competitors will be required. Second, small companies deal with extreme pressure of competition. They have to keep hold of every client, and to do so, complete information on consumers is necessary (from social and demographic features to psychographic portrait).

New Internet Worlds are emerging online where users make a replica of themselves to live out life-like situations.

The China Institute of Competitive Intelligence (CICI) is promoting its 4th Annual Competitive Intelligence International Annual Conference from November 13-15 in Shanghai. Last year, nearly 150 people attended. The China Institute of Competitive Intelligence claims that CI in China is on the rise.

Last year, New York University (NYU) announced an agreement with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to build NYU Abu Dhabi. The research university, with a complete integration of a liberal arts and science college, will be the “first world-class, liberal arts university in the Middle East”.

NYU Abu Dhabi is still underway, with the first formal academic year planned to start on the fall of 2010. NYUAD, which offer NYU B.A. and B.S. degrees, as well as specialized graduate programs, is projected to enroll at least 2,000 undergraduate students and approximately 800 graduate students. The students will be admitted from all over the world, especially the broad Middle East and South Asia.

Last year, New York University (NYU) announced an agreement with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to build NYU Abu Dhabi. The research university, with a complete integration of a liberal arts and science college, will be the “first world-class, liberal arts university in the Middle East.”

NYU Abu Dhabi is still underway, with the first formal academic year planned to start on the fall of 2010. NYUAD, which offer NYU B.A. and B.S. degrees, as well as specialized graduate programs, is projected to enroll at least 2,000 undergraduate students and approximately 800 graduate students. The students will be admitted from all over the world, especially the broad Middle East and South Asia.

The campus will be located on Saadiyat Island, 500 meters off the coast of Abu Dhabi. This island is still not developed, but is being planned for a population of 150,000 people.

The convergence of NYU and Abu Dhabi, the capital of both the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, highlights every university’s race to take the lead on globalization. An increasing number of American research universities have been expanding internationally, many of which have created programs in the Middle East.

Yelp! is a social networking website where users create their own profiles, invite friends, and post review of businesses.

Yelp provides access to candid reviews from consumers and does not rely on advertisers. Users themselves rate businesses and essentially learn more about products from fellow Yelp users.

Overview

Major competitors in the United States market are concentrated in three regions: East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast. Particular areas of concentration include California, Missouri, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania.

Some of the major players in the industry that are from Florida and New York as are as follows:

While many economists and economic indicators proclaim the US economy is already or about to be in recession, numerous companies from Europe, Asia and Middle East are simultaneously investing in the US economy.

To many in the business world, the Market Research or Business / Competitive Intelligence process is just a bunch of numbers, analysis and reports. An executive will send a brief to the research firm and after commissioning will expect a report according to their specifications.

What is missing from this perspective is the impact of relationships, specifically that between the client and the research provider.