Debunking Four Myths about Utah Market Research Companies
Posted by Vaughn Mordecai on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 @ 04:30 PM
At a recent Market Research Industry event, I had a very surreal experience that drove me to the conclusion that I needed to clarify something. I have a good friend in market research who I've only know for a couple of years. In a recent conversation with her, I found out that when she met me...she bought in to every myth about Utah market research companies ever generated. I was shocked and surprised, but found it very amusing. You may have other myths about Utah market research companies, but here are mine:
1. When the Florida Gator's coach Urban Meyer was at the University of Utah, he had a strong rival, located south of Salt Lake...BYU. For the duration of his coaching career in Utah, he called BYU "The team down south". He would never say their names in a press conference or when he was in public. I'm not exactly sure what he was trying to accomplish, however, this reminds me of the first myth. The "company down south" is not the only Utah market research company and their business actions, philosophy, and approach are NOT characteristic of all Utah market research companies. There are some good strong local options.
2. Utah is known for a
number of things...Mormons for one. It has the "greatest snow on earth" and wonderful skiing and snowboarding all over the state. It has beautiful national parks...such as Zions and Arches National Parks. Culture abounds in the the Sundance Film Festival. And, among other things, it has Polygamists. For the record...Utah market research companies are not infiltrated, owned, operated, staffed, entirely by polygamist households with a "built in" labor base. Utah telemarketing may "encourage" polygamists to work for them (ha), but that is NOT the case with the Utah market research companies I am familiar with. Though I know a few polygamists (who are very nice...incidentally), they do not work in the market research industry, let alone own and operate Utah market research companies.
3. Stereotypes and misconceptions abound regarding Utah market research companies. Just like there are differences in market research companies outside of Utah, there are differences in market research companies located within Utah. Not all Utah market research companies are created from the same mold. Recently, a local competitor got into some trouble regarding their hiring and management practices regarding underage employees. Since then, and on more than one occasion, I've been asked if Discovery Research Group hires underaged employees for our market research interviewing. WE DO NOT! For the record...largely, Utah market research companies do NOT hire underage interviewers. And, I'm sure that the local competitor(s) that did, have stopped...or will stop very soon.
4. I've heard many conversations regarding the availability of caffeine and alcohol in Utah (or lack of). The myth is that you cannot get a drink at a business dinner or a coffee in the morning to start your day without an extreme amount of pain involved. Part of this was true, but is not true any longer...and the other part depends. For those familiar with the alcohol consumption laws in Utah and/or have tried to buy a drink, you know that in years past, you had to buy a "membership" to a restaurant or bar to get a beer...it was all very laughable...but has changed. You can now get a drink at your business dinner, without a ruckus...no applications or credit checks...no background checks or fingerprinting...just a beer. Whether you can get a coffee or not depends on your proximity to the local Starbucks (I have one near my house), or the ability, expertise, or know-how of the Utah market research company to actually brew you a pot.
So, here are some questions I wonder about...
1. Have you heard these myths?
2. Are there other myths or stereotypes about Utah market research companies?
3. Did you believe them when you heard them? Do you still believe them now?
4. Have you actually experienced anything like this when working with a Utah market research company?