qprev_HBB Manual 2.qxd - Small Business BC

ProsConsInternet• Able to reach a broad crosssection of people from all overthe world• Very inexpensive• Responsive can be immediate• No personal interaction to fullyassess or discuss feedback• Not all people who respond areyour potential market• People will not have hands-onexperience with productCompetitors• Observations on traffic counts,average sale checks andcustomer patterns• Observations on any marketaspect, i.e., location,advertising, pricing, etc• Competition in othercommunities willing to talk tosomeone who won’t be a threat• Biased• Unwilling to talk to potentialcompetitor• Travel and long distance costsSuppliers, distributors,agents and brokers• Inside knowledge of industry• Knowledge of players, trendsand quirks• Could favor existing dealers• May get jaded comments withnarrow viewpointRetired from the industry• No axe to grind• Objective and open• Knowledge of industry, its.pitfalls and who succeeds• Information may be dated• May be jaded and tired ofbusiness concerns126solutions for small business home-based business