Christmas special: The way the brain buys Dec 26, 2008
People tell market researchers and focus groups that they make rational decisions about what to buy, considering things like price, selection or convenience. But subconscious forces, involving emotion and memories, are clearly also at work. (The Economist)
COMMENTARY: Lessons learned from Amnesty International Dec 26, 2008
I attended focus groups on displacement in Darfur, Islamaphobia, and how to get people interested in your cause. My favorite part of the seminar was the performance that took place that Saturday night. (Hingham Journal, MA)
State aid to Arlington cut by 8.45 percent Dec 26, 2008
Several focus groups have been held, correspondence has been encouraged heavily, and the microphone at board meetings has been used actively. "This will have a very dramatic impact on our taxes, or our programs," said Pepe. (MIllbrook Voice Ledger, NY)
Music labels hand in YouTube dispute Dec 25, 2008
"The first thing kids do when they hear about a band now is go on YouTube to find out more, according to our focus groups," said an executive at one of the major music labels, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Warner, the world's third-largest music company, was the first major media company to sign a licensing deal with YouTube in 2006, permitting the site to stream music videos from artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers and rapper T.I.. (India Times)
Sybase's Mobile And Web Future Dec 22, 2008
We ran some focus groups. People really don't want to carry laptops. (Forbes -- Technology)
Will '09 hold return to '60s chic? Dec 21, 2008
When we do focus groups, women say they need me time. They get that online playing games and they feel rewarded. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
North Gaza children bear brunt of humanitarian crisis reveals report Dec 18, 2008
World Vision, together with community leaders conducted the baseline survey involving 41 focus groups and more than 50 indicators to measure the well-being of children and their families and the ability of families and the community to meet children's needs. Survey outcomes also form a benchmark upon which to measure the impact of World Vision's work. (AlertNet)
High school principal search under way Dec 18, 2008
McGrath encouraged School Committee members to be engaged in the process by attending the candidates evening and focus groups. I hope you would avail yourselves in those venues, she said. (Hamilton Wenham Chronicle, MA)
Work gyms and performance Dec 18, 2008
The researchers also held focus groups to ask about work performance-related topics, these were recorded by an independent observer with the general discussion themes analysed in a qualitative, or descriptive way ... In the focus groups, the themes reported by participants were both positive effects of exercise, such as better concentration and problem solving, but some also reported that they felt guilty about being away from their desks, and perceived that colleagues judged them negatively for... (NHS Choices)
Revisiting the Need for Faculty Mee... Dec 16, 2008
Some discussion topics might be better served through the creation of short term focus groups or ad hoc committees. If agenda items only concern one aspect or grouping within the school community, smaller meetings can be calendared that address only those specific issues rather than wasting the time of the entire faculty. (Suite101.com)
What Your iPod Says About You Dec 16, 2008
LG's green enV phone, however, enjoyed surprising success despite testing poorly with focus groups. Rabbani says a promotional tie-in with a Shrek film probably helped. (Forbes -- Technology)
Cool Holiday Gift Cards Dec 16, 2008
New designs are tested with focus groups and tweaked before manufacturing. "We view them as trend products," she says. (Forbes -- Technology)
Residents weigh in on superintendent search Dec 16, 2008
With an eye toward hiring a new superintendent by the final week of March, and to be on job by July 1, Smith and Connolly met with focus groups made up of school and town officials, parents and students throughout the day yesterday. Connolly said he and Smith will compile the results of the meetings and present a report to the School Committee at its Jan. 13 meeting. (Hudson Sun, MA)
Survey says: IPS board discusses results Dec 16, 2008
Once the surveys were completed, Washburn hosted seven 90-minute focus groups on Oct. 7 and 8, which totaled 97 participants, or about one-third of district employees ... After the focus groups met, Washburn was able to glean a summary of information for the district. (Ionia Sentinel-Standard, MI)
Rrrrrrrobots! Dec 16, 2008
To see how they performed in the wild, I conducted and videotaped a series of focus groups with those I deemed most likely to appreciate them: namely, a pair of small children, a kindly grandmother, a live dog, and a guy who was really, really stoned ... Focus groups were almost uniformly unimpressed, though Elmo did develop a touching love-hate relationship with the live dog ... Femisapien Humanoid Robot, WowWeeDisturbing / OffensiveAfter four focus groups and hours of careful study, I still... (Slate)
Maui County seeks to stabilize economy Dec 15, 2008
"Talking about what the counties can do in focus groups with specific plans, we found we already did that," she said. "In a lot of ways, we're ahead of what the other counties are doing.". (Honolulu Advertiser)
Master of mascots, designer of fan-tasy Dec 15, 2008
Focus groups liked the brown bear, wearing Roman-style garb in red, a team color. After slight changes - an eye shield was removed and a cape added - the design was sent to Randy Carfagno, who builds Raymond's costumes in New York. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
The Firehouse owner to open eatery at The Orleans in Old Sac Dec 15, 2008
He s conducting focus groups to come up with the name and style of the restaurant. It will be a mid-priced, tourist-friendly restaurant in the evenings and aim for a business lunch crowd during the week. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Racine library's five-year plan calls for bookmobile stops outside city Dec 15, 2008
But for the first time in its history, said City Librarian Jay Chung, the plan is based on surveys and focus groups ... Nearly 400 Racine area residents participated in the planning process in some way," the report states. ``Over 300 people participated in the (random) telephone survey, 47 attended one of seven public focus group sessions and 22 staff members took part in two staff focus groups." Others submitted comments by mail ... The strong participation in the survey and focus groups, he... (Racine Journal Times, WI)
What’s in store for USFS? Dec 14, 2008
And a fairly political one, because each constituency comes with its own market surveys and focus groups, and carries some amount of weight in Washington, D.C.. Identity crisis. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Hope burns for less political, more collaborative Forest Service Dec 14, 2008
And a fairly political one, because each constituency comes with its own market surveys and focus groups, and carries some amount of weight in Washington, D.C.. All presidents in recent history have left their ideological mark on the Forest Service from Reagan to Bush to Clinton and back to Bush again. (Missoulian, MT)
Banks and consumers brace for new credit card rules Dec 14, 2008
Banking regulators have been using focus groups to test the impact of changing credit card rules for the past couple of years and on Thursday are expected finalize some changes. They are expected to prohibit credit card companies from increasing rates at will, with some exceptions such as those that apply to people who fail to pay a bill within 30 days. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
55 people tested HIV positive Dec 13, 2008
He said to achieve the project goal, 20 people were selected and trained as facilitators, who formed ten focus groups of 20 participants each in nine communities (Mando, Bisease, Osedzi, Ofebri, Etsi Sonkwa, Asembpanyin, Onyaadze, Okokodo and Obontser). Mr Owusu Poku said this was to ensure that people in the communities benefit directly from weekly behaviour change workshops. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
FDA's Midnight Mischief Heightens Mercury Risk to Pregnant Women ... Dec 13, 2008
EWG obtained transcripts of focus groups conducted by FDA. The fishing industry has campaigned aggressively to overturn the FDA/EPA fish consumption warning. (Environmental Working Group)
Group Spearheading County Recycling Effort Dec 12, 2008
There is an effort being launched to organize county and city officials and various focus groups to create a new countywide recycling center. "Our ultimate goal is to get all of Warren County working together to determine a location, a way to do it and how to fund a county recycling center," said Jackie Stewart, who works for the Innsbrook Corporation which is helping to spearhead the effort. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Family Justice Center Opens In El Cajon Dec 12, 2008
Eighteen months of planning for the center included community forums; focus groups with service providers, victims and survivors; and confidential interviews with East County victims and offenders. More than 40 agencies participated in the process. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
Superintendent search continues Dec 12, 2008
In an effort to gather input from the community on what people would like to see in a new superintendent, two focus groups for the community will be held; parents were notified of the meetings in a letter sent home with students. The first meeting will be Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 pm in the Oliver Ames High School auditorium. (Easton Journal, MA)
Tell truth, Mr. President Dec 11, 2008
Do you hold focus groups to come up with ways to tap into their ignorance and hate. By "The Corporal". (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Change could affect all property owners Dec 11, 2008
Fire Chief Clint Petersen and Public Relations Officer Susan Gwiasda presented the council with a plan that included focus groups, press releases, news articles, mailings and open houses, with the idea the council would be voting on the code changes in March 2009. On Nov. 18, the ad hoc Rental Housing Advisory Committee met with the council to present proposed changes to the rental housing code. (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
See Emily play Dec 10, 2008
How many other truly creative geniuses are being shut out of TV and film because of focus groups, and champagne and cocaine fuelled executives, with no insight nor talent. Dave, Glasgow. (BBC News -- UK)
Hudson residents can help shape superintendent search Dec 10, 2008
Interim Superintendent Dr. Stephen Dlott said during last night's meeting that members of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the firm the School Committee hired in October, will meet with various focus groups made up of parents, town officials, school staff and the School Administration, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to discuss the characteristics of an ideal superintendent candidate ... After meeting with the focus groups and hearing from community members, representatives from the search firm... (Hudson Sun, MA)
Public Input Sought POCD Review Process Detailed Dec 10, 2008
Mr. Peklo said he hopes to organize focus groups to review the POCD and draft a report that will be handed to the consultant. He also suggested the Planning Commission reach out to organizations, such as the Woodbury Business Association, for example, and attend one of its meetings to seek input from its members. (Voices, CT)
Charity goes back to its roots to find source of social evils Dec 10, 2008
"We don't think this is wallowing in pessimism'. I think it is profoundly optimistic. People have a feeling of unease. There is a sense that we have so much now, but still that something is not right here. For not much money, we found out a lot. "Our focus groups included people from all sorts of backgrounds, but they all said much the same things. It's not right that we have massive inequality, or that kids are growing up in economic and emotional poverty. (The Herald)
Edgewater accepts 'vision book' Dec 9, 2008
Council members accepted it by consensus, with some council members saying that it accomplished what they and residents discussed during public visioning workshops and focus groups this year. "You were faithful to what happened in those workshops, said Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes. "There is nothing in here that the people attending those workshops did not want. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
McDonalds has new changes under wraps Dec 9, 2008
Paul Castledine, Boxer's chairman and chief creative officer, says designers spent hundreds of hours in focus groups before settling on the concept of provocative headlines bolstered by vivid photography. But a design that relies so heavily on typography proved too much to handle in so many languages. (MSNBC -- Business)
Over-40 finds a muse in Mrs. Obama Dec 9, 2008
After listening to customers in focus groups, Saks has begun retraining sales associates to target older women by helping them cross-shop brands throughout the store, he says. Unlike label-obsessed 20-somethings, Mr. Boitano adds, middle-aged women are "more focused on products, such as a jacket with great detail that has shape, instead of a particular brand.". (AZCentral -- Business)
Group drafts vision for new Galveston Dec 9, 2008
Smaller focus groups might also take a more in-depth look at challenges like downsizing at the medical branch and the prospect of adopting casino gambling as a way to boost the island s recovery, she said. The committee s first task will be to schedule several town hall meetings to engage Galvestonians in a conversation about their future, Massey said. (KHOU.com, TX)
CML Patient Survey Shows That Side Effects Are A Serious Issue And That Options Should Be Discussed Dec 8, 2008
QUICK SEARCH BY ORGANIZATION. FREE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES. (Canada Newswire)
Growing support for tougher benefit rules Dec 8, 2008
A DWP spokesman said: "A set of qualitative focus groups conducted in October found that there was more support for conditionality than in August, particularly from taxpayers.". Aides said the research revealed that many people thought this was "a good time" to introduce more training for those out of work. (guardian.co.uk)
Turner's personality infuses every page of 'Call Me Ted' Dec 8, 2008
"I had spent over five years thinking about it, and it was time to get going. Henry Ford didn't need focus groups to tell him that people would prefer inexpensive, dependable cars over horses, and I doubt that Alexander Graham Bell stopped to worry about whether people would prefer speaking to each other on the phone. If viewers liked watching news on television, why wouldn't they want the option to do it at any hour of the day? And wouldn't it be great to see breaking news live, instead of... (USA Today -- Money)
Health care study results debated Dec 7, 2008
Lake then did focus groups in California, Colorado, Ohio and Georgia and conducted national surveys to come to the conclusion that something called guaranteed affordable choice, or GAC, is the best sell for reform. Guaranteed affordable choice, as defined by the study, looks very much like Baucus' proposal revealed Nov. 12: a mix of public and private insurance options, paid for by employers and individuals on a sliding scale, with people choosing the plan they want. (Missoulian, MT)
QUESTIONS? Ask them now for Healey's chat, 2 p.m. ET Dec 6, 2008
Do only 3 or 4 people sometimes decide on a design or do they sometimes get focus groups of a few hundred people. I know its only my opinion, but I also have never met anyone who doesnt think the Dodge Magnum, PT Cruiser or "smart-car" for example arent the stupidest looking thinge ever. (USA Today -- Money)
Catfight at Mattel: Barbie vs. Bratz Dec 6, 2008
And yet quarter after quarter you punish them by pursuing the safest possible options and blaming "focus groups" composed of children who are naturally inclined to prefer toys that are already being advertised on TV. Look, kids don't know what they want until one of their friends has it, period. That's why everyone who sells to kids has to employ a few key adults who act in many ways like overgrown kids. (Slate)
Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Younger? Dec 6, 2008
At NAMI New York City, after reading the 2006 mortality report, health workers held focus groups to assess their patients' health concerns ... "The most shocking thing was that people really wanted to be healthy but there was a disconnect," says program associate Katie Linn, who ran the focus groups. (Time.com)
Area senior communities join under parent company Dec 5, 2008
" The name of the new parent company was a result of a process that included in-depth interviews with senior leaders, organization leaders, board members, resident focus groups, staff and online surveys. Varsity, a company in Harrisburg, was hired to work with both original parent companies to come up with a name "We gathered a lot of information to understand more about who people say we are, and does it connect with who we are. " Brubaker said. "One of the areas that both organizations saw was... (Springfield Sun, PA)
How the west was renovated Dec 5, 2008
"We know from focus groups that residents want to be able to walk to the shops and bus stops. They want their children to be able to walk safely to playgrounds and school.". What Delfin does here depends on the detailed terms of its planning agreement with the State Government and Blacktown Council. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
A happy Spencer Day is coming to the Bay Area Dec 4, 2008
" While Day, a lanky guy with a Jimmy Stewart mug, has his fingers crossed about the new record deal, he's been around long enough to avoid any premature chicken counting. "I was in development with a major label but I got dropped because they didn't know what to do with me," he says, adding that it's "a very scary time" in the music business because the major labels tend to have "unrealistic expectations" of their singers. "Now, it's really music by focus groups. It's expected that you not only... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Waterfront planning session well-attended Dec 4, 2008
Close to 70 people participated in a series of five focus groups with representatives from the city and Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. at the Northern Advantage Job Center. ADVERTISEMENT. (Forest Republican, WI)
Chamber unveils 2009 legislative plan (89) Dec 4, 2008
John Gonzalez of JDG Associates led the development of the 2009 legislative agenda after reviewing the results of our member surveys and leading several diverse focus groups on a variety of topics. Our 2009 legislative agenda focuses on four areas reasonable housing costs, water conservation, transportation and education. (Boerne Star, TX)
• Hammering out the future Dec 2, 2008
They said consultants did most of the data gathering, and there were public meetings and focus groups. "Given the number of people that were involved in the development of this plan, it would've been really difficult for one or two people to have influenced a decision in a way that caused a conflict interest or some sort of personal gain," said City Manager Tom Courtney, who served on the committee. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
HealthSport, Inc. Sells Enlyten Trademark to T. Lynn Mitchell Companies for $300,000 Dec 2, 2008
The choice to use the name 'Enlyten' for our network marketing organization was the direct result from several focus groups we utilized. Everyone loves the name and feels we will benefit from its previous exposure. (Primezone Releases)
A new home for the arts? Nov 30, 2008
"It's not a guarantee at this point,'' LeGrand said of the potential redevelopment, which would run into the millions of dollars.Representatives of Artspace will make an on-site visit this week, holding a public forum on Monday night and holding a series of focus groups with local leaders and members of the artist community on Tuesday.To pique Artspace's interest in the project, LeGrand obtained letters of support from several local groups, including the city, Downtown Partners, the Art Center... (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Participants needed for air quality effort Nov 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:09 AM PST The Klamath County Health Department is seeking participants for air quality focus groups, the department said in a press release. The groups will meet at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Mt. Mazama room of Oregon Institute of Technology s College Union. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Obama not a ghost of Clinton past Nov 26, 2008
Although this is not really the change I'm talking about, it will also be a welcome difference that government policy in all matters of science policy, from stem-cell research to the search for intelligent life in the universe, will no longer have to be vetted by focus groups comprised of high school graduates bused in by Karl Rove from the Bible-belt megachurches. Yes, this administration is going to be looking very different from all its predecessors, including, and especially, that of Bill... (Asia Times Online)
New affiliation Nov 26, 2008
He envisions focus groups, surveys and town hall meetings held over a few months to get input. "Everything's on the table after [2009]," he said, while acknowledging the importance of crafts, festival food, performing and visual arts. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Australia: It\'s Australian for Bad Movie Nov 26, 2008
During the film's long and troubled production, Luhrmann shot more than one ending and screened the results for Australian focus groups before choosing which to use. (You can if you don't object to some minor plot spoilage. (Slate)
Pre-Budget report: Tories 'now in tune with electorate on economy' Nov 25, 2008
Labour's focus groups have been telling them that people are broadly in favour of tax rises for high earners. Similar groups for the Conservatives will have told them a similar thing. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Back-to-school Fashion Tips for Parents Nov 24, 2008
In Spring 2008, Signature by Levi Strauss onducted focus groups involving 11 and 12 year old boys and their parents to find the driving factors in buying new jeans for fall ... "Taking the results of the focus groups to heart, Signature by Levi Strauss esigned boys' jeans for fall with the durability parents are looking for, and the styles boys want too. Carpenter and loose fit jeans with sturdy construction, a comfortable baggy cut, and secure pockets for carrying anything from rocks to mp3... (Pekin Times, IL)
The GOP's crush on Sarah Palin Nov 24, 2008
Just because she is not the typical candidate and she does not need focus groups does not mean that she is not qualified. I don t care if she winks. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Marie Cocco: For women in politics, glass ceiling remains in place Nov 24, 2008
Voters demand more experience of a woman candidate, and judge her competence separately from whether she is sufficiently "likable." Male candidates typically must clear only the competence bar to be judged as Obama indelicately put it during a primary debate "likable enough." "We heard that over and over again that no woman is ever right," Lee says of her focus groups. "They like the concept of it but when it comes to a real, live, breathing candidate, they don't." Lee summarizes the disparate... (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Revitalization open house draws sparse but vocal crowd Nov 22, 2008
The three men were part of separate focus groups that came up with suggestions on what they would like to see developed and redeveloped in Central Peoria. The area designated in the Central Peoria Revitalization Plan is from Cactus Road south to Olive Avenue and 75th Avenue west to Loop 101. (Peoria Times, AZ)
Brace yourselves as democracy reshapes itself and remoulds us Nov 21, 2008
Monitory democracy is the age of surveys, focus groups, deliberative polling, online petitions and customer voting. A trend towards public scrutiny is evident in many policy areas, from maltreatment of children and diet, to habitat protection and alternative energy. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Islamic women pressured to stay in violent marriages: report Nov 21, 2008
"So the women who were in the focus groups were all people who were experiencing problems with their marriage.". "So its not a reflection of the wider Muslim community. So these are extreme cases.". (ABC Online)
CEOs share 2008 lessons at ACG event Nov 21, 2008
Parc also does a lot of business focus groups and sends secret shoppers into its parks. Jim Smith, CEO, , Perth Amboy, N.J.. (Jacksonville Business Journal, FL)
Nokia Selects Nine Mobile Application Developers From Asia, Europe and the Americas to Join 2008 Forum Nokia Innovation Series Program Nov 20, 2008
Developers chosen to participate in the 2008 Forum Nokia Innovation Series program cleared multiple selection hurdles over the course of the past year as part of the Innovation Series selection process, which included internal Nokia reviews and the screening of application features and functionality by consumer focus groups around the world. Each participant in the 2008 Forum Nokia Innovation Series was required to demonstrate that their application or service provided specific benefits to Nokia... (PR Newswire)
