QuickMark Market Assessment

Contact: John Bradford

Case Studies

QuickMark® is designed to identify the broad potential market for new product areas, processes or services. The possibilities may relate to innovation, to new developments for an existing product, or to a new business stream for an exisiting business. QuickMark can also explore new markets for existing products or provide an insight into areas where market information is difficult to obtain. The process is not designed to replace a full market study, but is designed to move businesses closer to making good decisions.

QuickMark - What is it?

• An initial market assessment of a new product, process or service
• Exploratory, qualitative desk research
• A search of readily available databases and information sources
• Research conducted by masters students recruited from the talented pool of the participating universities
• Research is supervised by experienced marketing staff

Example of a QuickMark Report

QuickMark - How does it work?

• Contracts are exchanged prior to commencement of work
• An initial evaluation is conducted face-to-face or by telephone
• A trained researcher carries out desk based research and report writing for a fixed number of hours
• The results are communicated in a written report to a standard defined format usually within four to six weeks

QuickMark - Who can benefit?

• Small to medium sized businesses in the sub-region
• Small businesses where marketing expertise is limited
• Existing established businesses seeking to develop new markets for existing products

QuickMark - Where it might not be for you?

• Where clients are seeking specialist advice on markets - QuickMark only provides market research and evaluation to a standard defined format
• A QuickMark report is not definitive - the initial report may point out further areas for investigation
• Where clients are seeking justification for an application for financing or grant money
• Not primary research - due to time constraints we are unable to conduct individual market research interviews
• Where there is already a lot of in-house specialist knowledge about the proposed market
• In the evaluation of specific markets, e.g. particular countries, though it can be useful for understanding global competition issues

Further to the successful pilot, the QuickMark® Service now continues under Knowledge West. QuickMark is a registered trade mark of the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.