01 | FocusVision Advantages
At FocusVision, we know what is important to market researchers when using video transmission services on their projects.
Our 2006 research study of market researchers showed that quality, reliability, customer service, price and facility network are all important factors. It also showed that researchers prefer FocusVision 8-1 over our competition.
Click here to see the ten reasons why...
02 | From the Director's Chair
 Helpful hints and tips from your friendly neighborhood Relations Director, Kevin Sheehan.
Planning on Moving? What can be more fun than packing up your facility and moving to a new location? OK, just about anything. Remember to call FocusVision any time you move or plan additions to your facility so our technicians can make sure everything is installed correctly and in perfect working order. The sooner we know, the better, and maybe we can save you a headache or two.
Testing, Testing, 1..2..3.. Testing your equipment prior to a group or interview is one of the most crucial steps in the project process. Anita and Roger (who is interviewed in this newsletter) always call ahead to find out what time is best for you. We know your time is valuable and limited and rooms aren’t always free for testing. Sure, sometimes it seems like we’re nagging you, but it’s for a good reason (as opposed to leaving the cap off the toothpaste). Our technical department is available 24/7. If you give us a time, we will test.
Facility Listings Next time you review your listing for the Impulse Survey, make sure they have FocusVision listed as your Webconference provider as well as your Videoconference provider. Incomplete or inaccurate listings make for confused clients. To edit your listing go to www.impulsesurvey.com.
03 | Jack's VideoMarker Corner
To MAC or Not to MAC
VideoMarker includes simple but powerful replay and editing tools built right into the project CD. This really helps improve the analysis process and allows a researcher to add the element of video clips to their report and presentations… without a degree in digital editing.
One of the questions I hear most often is "Can you use VideoMarker with a MAC?"
Well, the short answer is that VideoMarker’s editing software is not compatible with a MAC. You cannot pop your VideoMarker CD into a MAC for analysis and editing like you would on a PC. However, it’s not all bad news for MAC users.
You can still view the CD’s video on a MAC. All you need is Windows Media Player installed. (It’s a free download from Microsoft.) You can also import clips made with VideoMarker from a PC to a MAC, and with the proper software, convert the files to whatever is necessary for the MAC editing program. (For instance; Quicktime format for iMovie.) This is the case with many other types of files that are edited on a MAC, like video you might get from a DVD.
If you’ve seen the new MAC commercials, you’ve heard the news that MAC now claims to be able to run Windows applications. We’ve done testing on this and it’s true. However, your operating system must be configured correctly. Check with your MAC dealer for more information.
VideoMarker recordings also work with other video editing programs, enabling researchers to use video clips from their project CDs in other ways, such as highly produced multimedia presentations, Flash animations and video highlight reels. In these cases, researchers will extract the clips, or sections of video they want, and then use another editing program to build their presentation. Windows Movie Maker is a popular choice.
We are happy to work with your clients on MAC issues or any other questions. We can also arrange for additional training for your team. To learn more, drop me a line at: jack@focusvision.com.
04 | Facility Members Meeting
FocusVision held its annual Facility Members Meeting at Washington D.C.’s JW Marriott in conjunction with the MRA national conference.
We added a twist this year by holding the meeting at an all day suite, providing everyone ample time to stop up and visit. For those who couldn’t attend, we plan to use the same format next year and hope to see you there.
If you log in to WebServices, you will find the "Members Only" presentation where we discussed:
- FocusVision and Market Research Industry’s continued growth
- Results of our independent study of market researchers
- Consistently high quality scores from facilities and clients
- FocusVision’s Privacy Program
- Improved Videostreaming with value add-ons
- FocusVision Transcripts
- Growth and support of VideoMarker CD Recording
- Increased project support (24/7 over 2 continents)
- Our quarterly facility newsletter
New to the mid-year conference was the exhibit hall where FocusVision maintained a booth with a special VideoMarker clipping station. It was yet another chance for us to meet everyone and catch up on old times.
Also new this year is our series of VideoMarker CD Recording workshops where you can invite local clients to your facility. A member of our VideoMarker team will be on site to demonstrate all of the features of VideoMarker and how it can greatly enhance their focus group research results. We’ve had great success with these workshops and it’s been a real eye opener for clients, who in turn become steady users of the service. To schedule a workshop at your facility, please contact Jack Campisi at 203-428-2447 or Jack Campisi.
And as always, please contact me any time you have questions or need assistance.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Kevin Sheehan
Director of Facility Relations and Project Coordination
203-428-2422
ksheehan@focusvision.com
05 | Profile on Roger Rosa: Senior Engineer, Client & Facility Testing
You’ve all spoken to Roger at some point or another so we thought it would be great for you to learn more about him.
- How did you start working at FocusVision?
I used to work indirectly with FocusVision as a facility testing contact. At the time, I worked for Fieldwork Westchester. Having worked at a facility, I’m able to relate really well to everyone because I’ve been in their shoes and know the ins and outs of a facility. I got close to the staff at FocusVision and asked Steve Miller to take a look at my resume back in 1997. The rest is history.
- Describe your typical day.
A typical day in the office consists of calling the facilities and the clients to pre-test. I spend most of the day trouble shooting and making sure things are working properly to ensure project success.
- What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you while you were conducting a facility test?
The funniest thing I can think of was when I asked a facility contact to enter the room and give me a test count so that I could check the audio levels. I was connected to the system so I could see my contact enter the room and just stand there. I got no audio so I asked my contact to do it again. On the third time, I got my contact on the phone and told her that I was not getting any audio when she entered the room to count. She told me she was counting in her head and not out loud. We could not stop laughing.
- What do you like to do for fun?
I like to watch sports, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends.
06 | In Defense of the Focus Group, by John Houlahan
Focus group research is the most widely used methodology in marketing research and increasing in usage every year.
Yet in spite of demonstrated acceptance, focus groups in all their formats have lately become the most criticized and vilified form of research.
Trade reporters like to expose what "really goes on" in focus groups, believing they have uncovered a"big scoop" on the shabby, almost fraudulent practice of focus research. Speeches with titles such as "The Death of The Focus Group" from marketing consultants claim that focus groups impinge on their role as unquestioned consumer gurus. Innovators of new services that might benefit from replacing traditional focus groups invariably start off by denigrating current practices. Others deride qualitative interviewing as a "quick and dirty" method done only as a poor substitute for the rigor of a well-defined and well-executed quantitative project.
Click here to read more...
07 | Visit Web Services
We have an easier way for you to schedule your projects with FocusVision.
Haven't used Web Services on our website? Give it a try! It's easy: Choose Facility Login, select your facility (they're sorted by city), and enter your password (available from Kevin Sheehan at FocusVision - ksheehan@focusvision.com). Here's what's available: - Add or Edit projects (VideoStreaming / Video Conferencing)
- Edit your facility profile on the FocusVision website
- Tutorials, training materials, and marketing materials
- FocusVision & VideoMarker logos for your ads and website
- and more!
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