What we can do

While many of the areas of our work shown below intersect, we felt that sub-dividing them as follows was the clearest way to highlight our specialisms. You may feel differently! – If so and/or you’d like some clarification then please drop us a line.

New Product Development / Concept Research

This is probably our main area of operation and involves various methodologies. However, the key ones are;

Group Discussions and Depth Interviews We have preferential agreements with viewing studios and other suppliers in several parts of Britain, including central London. In-house and external moderators and depth interviewers have wide-ranging experience, as do our nationwide network of recruiters.

Clinics and Hall Tests A Proteus speciality. In the past twelve months we have conducted a range of such studies from simple table displays of 6 pocket-sized products through to a car clinic with 24 vehicles. On the automotive front, for example, our expertise covers;
Concept clinics (photos, sketches, models, bucks, interior mock-ups)
Full size clinics (prototype and pre-launch)
Drive appraisals (“on-the-road” testing)
Current Car Clinics (new market entrant comparisons)

Tracking Studies / Continuous Research

We have several long-term tracking studies underway at Proteus, ranging from monthly cycles through to annual, by means of telephone and face-to-face interviews and monitoring. Our nationwide network of interviewers and mystery shoppers, as well as our close links with the principal UK sample suppliers ensure reliable and fresh samples of sufficient size on a regular basis.
We know from experience that continuous studies often stand or fall on analysis and reporting deadlines. We like to think that we are adaptable enough to turn shorter studies around very quickly if required, but we are also well used to the regular schedules of larger, cyclical projects.

Customer Satisfaction

Our extensive experience in Customer Satisfaction research covers a number of subject areas and methodologies. The versatility of our network enables us to tackle even the largest projects accurately and to strict deadlines.

Segmentation

We are often asked to test pre-conceived segmentation of new and existing products and services (e.g. “Where do we spend our advertising budget?”) Using the methodology appropriate to each case, we are able to confirm or deny a proposed segmentation, or if required, determine the segments which should be of interest from a fresh perspective.

Usage and Attitude Studies

...do what it says on the tin. Usually small with a fast turnaround, but very useful for snapshots of “where we are” or even “where we might be”.

Exhibition Research

Show goers can provide a quick and easy sample of qualified, willing respondents in a semi-captive environment. As a dynamic agency, Proteus is well able to conduct small, effective surveys at shows and conferences, often over very short periods of time.

Data Entry / Data Processing

We’ve even been known to turn our hand to a little number crunching. Data entry, cleaning, tables and charts are all within our repertoire.

Environmental Research

Our extensive experience, particularly, but not exclusively in Automotive Research has given us many insights into the changing nature of the environmental priorities of consumers and industry alike. From our inception we’ve been involved in research across many fields.

Specifically we’ve been asked to look at changing lifestyles and the delicate balance between “being green” and cost / convenience. We’ve looked into questions such as;

• What levels of green consumerism are there and what proportion of the buying public do each of these levels constitute?
• Which companies and products are the choice of the green consumer? What is the impact of advertising and promotion seeking to promote an image of environmental awareness and care? Certain companies and products in often unlikely fields are emerging as the “green choice”.
• What is the impact of price on a product where there is the choice of a greener alternative?
• Where should companies be focussing their efforts next? Which of the emerging technologies are the most appealing?

From the perspective of transportation;

• Car manufacturers have asked us to investigate the acceptability, desirability, perceived benefits and downsides of new forms of propulsion. We’ve looked at the different types of hybrid powertrains, and the environmental perceptions of diesel engines as well as electric propulsion and bio-fuels. Do the buyers of these vehicles drive them primarily for economic or ecological reasons?
• We’ve conducted research for local and city-wide authorities about the changing mix of personal transport methods.
• The ever-increasing sales of two-wheeled vehicles has prompted some clients to ask us to find out how much of this is due to increased congestion and how much is down to increasing environmental awareness and the desire to lead a greener lifestyle.

Methodologies

The experimental and conceptual nature of much of our environmental research means we are accustomed to starting with a qualitative approach (group discussions and depth interviews are typical). But, given the pace of change, of equal importance for many of our clients are tracking studies which can often give an early indication of radical shifts in opinion and the emergence of new ideas and beliefs.