Presented by JRA, J. Reckner Associates Inc.

You the consumer have more control over the development of new products and services than ever before. Manufacturers, retailers and service providers realize that the only way they succeed is by delighting you, their consumer. By pleasing you, they invest in your future loyalty, positive word of mouth recommendations and most importantly – repeat purchase. Without repeat purchase, a new product will fail and about 90% of all new product introductions do fail. How many times have you tried a product, been disappointed and not repurchased?

So how do companies ensure product or service success? They involve consumers throughout the entire product development process. In the beginning during “opportunity identification,” consumers participate in brainstorming sessions in which actual product developers may be present. During these group sessions consumers help companies understand their unmet needs. As an example, let’s say a group of first time moms is discussing changing diapers and how they wouldlove to have tabs that re-seal. You’re probably thinking, “but diaper tabs do re-seal.” Yes, they do now, but at one time they didn’t! It was through research with consumers that the product experience was improved.

Once product concepts are identified, consumers refine and evaluate them by participating in group discussions or by completing a self-administered web interview from the comfort of their own homes. Consumers may be asked to review mock ads or other sales materials that describe the product. The next step involves consumers evaluating different product formulations. This can be accomplished by either giving products to consumers to use in their homes or by inviting them to visit a research facility to participate in a study. Over the years consumers have been asked to use and provide their opinions about a wide range of products including cereal, laundry detergent, body soap and even insect repellent to name a few. Once the best formulations are identified, they are then tested with the product concept to make sure the concept and product are aligned with each other. An example would be if the concept says “great strawberry flavor” then the actual product would need to be rated high on strawberry flavor. The final step is confirmatory testing. In this final phase, consumer opinions direct which formulation will go to the marketplace. Other types of research are focused on developing and improving the marketing, advertising and promotion for products. And, once a product is mature additional research is conducted to improve the product. To complete all this research for one product could take the opinions of several thousand consumers. In a single year, millions of consumers participate in a wide variety of research studies.

In the Philadelphia area, you can become eligible to participate in research studies by becoming part of JRA’s opinion community. JRA offers consumers the opportunity to participate in research by visiting the JRA Opinions website at www.JRAopinions.com.

The website offers background information on the company, answers to frequently asked questions, and testimonials from consumers who have participated in studies and the opportunity to register.Once registered, you may be contacted by email or telephone to determine if your background and experience match a particular research plan. If you are a match, you will be invited to participate in the study. If you are not a match, you will remain in JRA’s database and may be contacted in the future for other studies. Consumers who participate usually receive a cash “thank you” depending on the type of study.

If your privacy is a concern, be assured that JRA will never share your personal information. They abide and are bound by the ethics and best practices of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations and the Marketing Research Association. In addition, JRA will never report your opinions connected to any identifiable information such as your name, income or other personal information you may have provided during a study.

Last year over 250,000 consumers participated in studies with JRA on a wide range of subjects. The company stays in touch with the consumers who participate in studies through their website. Here are a few consumer testimonials:

  • I was glad that I was picked to be a participant in one of JRA’s studies. I enjoyed tasting, and I’m sure giving my comments helped in some way. Bill C. - Doylestown, PA
  • Thanks for giving me this opportunity to share my comments of past experiences with JRA Research. I love getting notified to participate in a study. JRA not only offers great incentives, but also lets me share my opinions of products that might not be out on the market. As a consumer, I like to get involved with helping to choose what makes a product great! Thanks for letting me share my comments. Rebecca K. - Franklin, WI
  • I have had the pleasure of being involved in studies of various products, some currently on the market, and others still in research stages. All of these studies have been interesting, and well run. I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in all aspects of these studies. Paula B. - Harleysville, PA

JRA invites you to join their “opinion community” and collaborate with companies in the development of new products and services. You never know - you may get to help develop the next “blockbuster” product.