1. Initiating a Research Effort
The Process at Hallmark Cards, Inc.

2. Process for Implementing a Research Project
It’s important to be clear on who the sponsor is. Sponsors need to own the research, & partner with research in making key decisions.
Identify the objectives
Agree on budget, schedule, priority
Pick the methodology
Design the sample
Select a supplier
Approve a Project Agreement
Field the research
Analyze the data
Share the learnings
Decide & act
Sponsor
involvement is needed here

3. 1. Identify the Objectives
Business Objective -- What is the business issue that we are trying to address? (The sponsor communicates this.)
Examples:
Bad: Let’s do 6 focus groups in Chicago next week.
Good: How can we attract consumers back to the card shop?
Research Objective -- What research measures need to be collected to address the business objective? (Research communicates this.)
Examples:
Bad: We’re going to do a concept test.
Good: Determine what motivates consumers to select retail stores for greeting cards.
Sponsor involvement

4. 2. Agree on the budget, schedule & priority
The sponsor needs to communicate the …
Budget: What is the budget available for this research?
Schedule: When does the sponsor need the results, given the decision date?
Priority: How important is this research vs. other priorities?
This discussion will influence research methodology.
Sponsor involvement

5. 3. Pick the Methodology Qualitative Quantitative
Research determines the best method for collecting the data.
Common research tools:
Qualitative
Explore attitudes & “whys” behind
behavior; not projectable
Focus Groups
In-depth Interviews
Ethnography
Quantitative
Quantify attitudes/behavior; projectable
Purchase Diary
Tracker/A&U/Omnibus
Panel Test/Price sensitivity
Product Preference Test
Perception Analyzer
Department/Exit Interviews
Merchandising Test
Sales Analysis
Market basket analysis
Retailer survey
Brand extension

6. 4. Design the sample Screening: Sample size:
Category Usage?
Users
Non-Users
Representative Sample vs. Target Consumers?
Representative Sample -- More projectable in forecasting retail viability & helpful in benchmarking over time
Target consumers -- OK if objective is fulfilling a niche need
Demographics?
Age
Gender
Socio-economic
Sample size:
Qualitative -- Generally <50
Quantitative -- Varies from ~150 to >1,000, depending on the method, budget, & need to drill down at a low level.
Research recommends this to the sponsor.

7. 5. Select a supplier
The Research Analyst communicates the research design specs to potential suppliers.
The Research Analyst selects the supplier.
Tips:
Low cost doesn’t always = best
Trusted, preferred suppliers can be a great help
Word-of-mouth is an important criteria

8. 6. Approve a Project Agreement
A Research Project Agreement is prepared by Research & signed by the sponsor. It contains …
Background
Business & Research Objectives
Method/Screening
Success measures
Schedule
Cost
Signatures (research, sponsor)
Why?
Helps manage expectations
It’s the sponsor’s opportunity to review/approve the research plan
Look for what’s missing
“Many can tell how to improve what’s proposed or what’s gone amiss. Few are able to see what isn’t there.”
- Donald Rumsfled, Defense Secretary
Sponsor involvement

9. 7. Field the Research Qualitative Quantitative Sponsor’s role:
Provide input for the discussion guide
Provide stimulus, as needed
Attend the qualitative research
Identify others who should attend
Debrief after the session
Quantitative
Provide input for the questionnaire
May need to help with the set up (e.g., mock shop, merchandising test)
Sponsor involvement

10. 8. Analyze the Data
Research works with the supplier to analyze the data and build a presentation.
Topline learnings can be provided to the sponsor prior to the full report.
Sponsors can preview the report prior to the presentation.

11. 9. Share the Learnings Qualitative & Quantitative Documentation:
When possible, sponsors should attend the presentation, ask questions, & discuss business implications.
Consider getting an edited video tape from qualitative groups. This can be a powerful tool, but it adds cost and it’s time consuming.
Documentation:
Research distributes a 1-page abstract with key research learnings.
Past research reports are available on the Hallmark Intranet
(Consumer Research’s “Voice of the Marketplace”)
Sponsor involvement

12. 10. Decide & act
Research offers fact-based recommendations linked back to the Business Objective, & consults with the sponsor to interpret and leverage the research learnings.
It’s the sponsor’s primary role to decide how to implement the research learnings and recommendations.
Ask …
Were the objectives achieved?
Now what do we do about the research learnings?
Who else would benefit from seeing the results?
Note: the more strategic the research, the more time it generally takes to apply the learnings to our business.
Sponsor involvement

13. A Hallmark Case Study (the first part of the Project Agreement)
Background
Business Objective
Research Objectives
Methodology?

14. Background
As part of Hallmark’s Card Category Growth initiative, a study was needed to explore deeper the overall equity of greeting cards, as well as the hurdles, substitutes, and threats to card sending. What do heavy card givers really appreciate about giving cards? Do light card givers recognize/ appreciate the same things about the process?

15. Business Objective
Identify new consumer insights into the equity of greeting cards that could be applied to a campaign to enhance the Greeting Card Category.

16. Research Objectives
Explore current hurdles to category growth, particularly among light card givers
Understand the substitutes to card sending
Explore the equity of greeting cards relative to other communication choices
Understand the role that cards play in consumers’ everyday lives
Explore the impact of card sending among recipients of cards

17. Questions:
What would you - as researchers - need to know to get at the issue at hand?
What qualitative methodology(ies) might you recommend to Hallmark?
What else should be included in the research plan?
How would you proceed with analysis?