Strategy & Marketing Overview

Specialty Offerings        Example Clients

Tough challenges -- most often, that's when companies call in Research Boston. A major new product or marketing initiative, industry realignments, acquisitions or joint ventures, or a business not earning what it should -- these are the kinds of situations that have led clients to reach for the telephone.

"Original thinking," clients have reported, is what sets Research Boston apart from other consultants they have known. Staying focused on strategic issues, introducing analytical frameworks and making the extra effort to work from fact rather than supposition are the contributions clients say they value most.

Research is a strength -- after all, it is our first name. When assignments require interviews with customers, competitors, industry observers or benchmark companies, our Reasoning Inquiry approach uncovers insights that are often missed in ordinary discussions. Quantitative research, too, is approached with an uncommon level of thoroughness and depth, avoiding mental traps that often distort or negate statistical findings.

Finally, because human communication and emotions affect the acceptance of many major decisions, Research Boston has developed fresh consulting approaches to improve organizations' receptiveness to new ideas and acceptance of new directions. Otherwise, resistance to change, "undiscussable" subjects, or unrecognized habits of thought can delay or distort the power of new ideas.

Strategy Services

Creative strategy often involves walking a fine line between too little change and too much. On one side, it is easy to become locked into old frames of thought. On the other, temptations may arise to chase too many "opportunities." To help maintain balance, clients often call on us to provide new information, an independent perspective, or frameworks to help in thinking about the issues.

After each assignment, Research Boston conducts feedback interviews with clients. Their comments over the years have reflected several recurring themes:

• Exceptional focus on sharpening the issues.
• A "systems analysis" point of view, such as tracking the flow of funds through an industry or behavioral responses of competitors.
• A strong drive to ground conclusions empirically.
• Involvement of leading thinkers in our projects.

"RBC kept pushing us to think harder and more strategically and less operationally, i.e., differentiating between tactical thought and strategic thought."

Corporate Strategic Planner
Top 10 Bank Holding Company

Research Services

People who have used our research services sometimes describe Research Boston as "a consulting firm that's also strong in research." Research clients usually come to us because their assignment requires a deeper understanding of the business than traditional research approaches yield.

We have an intrinsic interest in sorting out tough research problems. Such challenges often lead us into early use of emerging research methodologies.

Themes in clients' comments include:


• Carefulness in sharpening issues;
  
• Extent of statistical analysis;
  
• Boardroom-quality reports;
  
• Ability to relate research findings to their practical implications.

"The value we got from your study was that it directly challenged what we thought of ourselves with what our clients thought of us. It was a powerful deal for us. It gave us a lot of confidence."

General Manager Professional Software Services Firm

Director of Corporation Communications
$500M Software Company