Market and competitive pricing in the B2B sector is often a challenging area for many market researchers to tackle. Actual pricing information is difficult, if not impossible, to discuss using traditional interview techniques, as this information is considered highly proprietary. Often, pricing is not a straightforward matter as it may incorporate early payment discounts, freight, volume discounts, change orders, interest, or other finance charges and many other variants.

As schools gradually shift away from print products and move to innovative, technology-based formats, a new digital evolution is occurring in the classroom. In the U.S., growth in the number of schools, implementation of modern technological devices, and new standards and tests are all major factors contributing to the increasing demand for digital instructional materials. 

Key players in the auto industry are facing new challenges and opportunities that could shake up the U.S. market in the months and years to come. Volkswagen’s sales showed tepid growth in the wake of the emissions-cheating scandal, while Subaru set new sales records in the month of September. Meanwhile, tech and auto companies alike are vying for position in the self-driving and electric car markets. Apple plans to release an electric car in 2019 and is tripling its 600-person team to accelerate its efforts. General Motors is competing with Google in the self-driving car arena and plans to test driverless Chevrolet Volts by late 2016. To learn more, read the auto industry recap below.

Whether you are writing a business plan, making a pitch to investors, or launching a new product, market research is an essential first step. For small businesses, in particular, keeping costs down is an ongoing priority. Fortunately, there are a variety of creative ways small businesses can access the information they need without paying too much. Take a look at the following five strategies for some ideas.

“Experiential education is all the rage,” observes Steven Mintz, executive director of the Institute for Transformational Learning, in a recent article for Inside Higher Ed. From internships to study abroad programs to service-learning projects, universities are offering a wide variety of hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The experiential education trend is partly driven by demand from employers. According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 79 percent of employers would like colleges to place more emphasis on internships and field experiences in order to help teach students critical thinking skills. Currently, more than half of all college seniors have engaged in experiential learning activities such as a practicum or internship.

The current market for Global Communication Service Providers (CSP) has reached saturation with respect to customer penetration. Furthermore, core voice and messaging services are becoming increasingly marginalized. As fourth generation (4G) cellular via LTE is optimized globally via LTE Advanced (LTE-A), raw data services are next to realize ever shrinking margins. Recognizing this issue, certain leading CSPs offer telecom data Business-to-Business (B2B) services in a Data as a Service (DaaS) basis to various third party companies such as Over-the-Top (OTT) application providers.

Metals firm Alcoa Inc. will separate into two standalone, publicly traded companies.  

"In the last few years, we have successfully transformed Alcoa to create two strong value engines that are now ready to pursue their own distinctive strategic directions,” Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld said in a news release.

Alcoa’s upstream company, which will keep the Alcoa name, will focus on bauxite, alumina and aluminum, casting and energy. The value-add company, which has not yet been named, will include global rolled products, engineered products, and transportation and construction solutions.

Through Profound, users can access the world’s leading business intelligence providers in one convenient platform. With more than 200 publishers across 700 industry sectors, Profound offers a vast array of market research reports to choose from.

In this new blog series, we’ll give you an inside look at specific publishers on Profound. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about the reports they publish and what differentiates them from other publishers on the market.

Today, we’re interviewing Aroq, publisher of just-auto, just-drinks, just-food, and just-style — a publisher that provides timely news, analysis, and market intelligence. Find out more in the Q&A below.

Market research can help you reduce risks, stay ahead of the competition, and accurately gauge the pulse of the market. With the right business intelligence, you can win buy-in from executives to launch new, exciting concepts and develop products that customers love. 

Market research is undoubtedly a powerful business tool, but the way you conduct market research matters, too. It’s important to have a strategic approach to achieve the results you want. For some practical market research tips, check out the do’s and don’ts below.

For the past four weeks, we have been posting blogs about the growing trends and popular ingredients that are driving the U.S. sandwich industry. From authenticity to health and wellness, the six sandwiches we have covered so far each fulfill unique cravings for foodies everywhere.