Consumer Research Category Procurement Intelligence Report

Several macro changes in the dynamics of overall Market Research as well as Consumer Research procurement trends are poised to change the business practices and procurement thumb rules. Data security and maintaining the confidentiality of client data and other sensitive information has towered over most of the discussions related to the category. Most geographies now have stringent regulations to protect data, privacy and confidentiality. Although suppliers now have a value proposition that puts data security and confidentiality at the forefront of marketing pitches, adherence to these standards have also increased OPEX of suppliers owing to increased compliance methods and requirement to change critical processes.

The growing shortage of skilled talent and increasing salaries of employees is driving the operational costs of service providers. This is expected to increase service charges at least within the tier 1 suppliers who put a high premium on the talent pool that utilize.

Service providers are increasingly investing in the adoption of automation software and advanced technologies to realize process efficiencies, broaden their service offerings and reduce time to market. This is increasing their OPEX, which will be passed on to buyers in the form of slightly higher procurement costs.

Category managers need to take note of the potential of these developments and reassess the changes required in their procurement practices.

Sometimes, procurement functions are unable to timely alter their practices while responding to market conditions. Industry experts acknowledge that periodically reviewing procurement best practices and adopting learnings from across procurement categories can help procurement teams respond to market needs in a more agile way. This report combines our experience of other categories with Consumer Research procurement insights and hand picks best practices that can work for category managers delving in this market.

For example, Buyers can engage in pilot projects with interested service providers to assess their capabilities. This also helps buyers to assess the cost benefits and value proposition of the proposal.

Buyers must clearly define clauses related to ownership of subcontracting services that are not part of their preferred partners' portfolios to ensure service consistency and control of sensitive data that are shared with subcontracted firms. The roles and responsibilities of subcontractors should be clearly defined by supplier to provide visibility on the quality of main service provider vs sub-contractors.

Buyers should invite bids from all potential service providers that can meet overall requirements. Bids must be evaluated based on pre-defined parameters such as reputation, service offerings, geographical knowledge and expertise, and track record. Buyers can use standard scorecards to evaluate service providers and provide necessary comments to rationalize the given scores. This helps effectively document the decision-making process for buyers.

Consumer Research procurement managers also need to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks that can arise in the supply chain or contracts for Consumer Research procurement. Some examples include: