How long does it take to get results?
The demand for data, balanced with the need for speed characterizes today’s competitive environment. Halpern Info Services provides business research and information generally within two weeks or less; some projects have run two months and others in two days. All projects are initiated only after consultation amongst researchers, an information interview an agreement that features a Statement of Work with specifics, time line, budget, format included.
How do I begin?
Contact Richard Halpern -- 508.346.3225 (office) or email at richard@halperninfoservices.com. After an information intake discussion, researcher(s) will be consulted and additional questions may be asked to fully understand the scope, outcomes, deliverables, deadline and budget. Upon acceptance, work will begin. Projects are conducted on a not to exceed budget. If necessary, intermittent contact is conducted.
Why do business with Halpern Info Services instead of your Aunt Tilly?
Trained researchers follow a process that starts with understanding the problem fully, and leads to a systematic collection of information, which in turn leads to analysis and final development of a report.
Project work starts with an Information reference interview which leads to a determination of database and resources likely to cover the topic(s). Truncation, proximity connectors, taxonomies and logical operators are used to delve more deeply - and quickly - into the subject matter.
In addition to training in the traditional strengths of information selection, collection, retrieval and analysis, professional researchers use emerging information technologies, tools and techniques, to complement their skills.
It's not just where you look but how you look. “Aunt Tilly” uses haphazard, anecdotal information retrieval to search. Aunt Tilly does as best as she can, but is that good enough for your business or career ?
What is a typical project? What kind of clients do you work with?
Needs vary greatly by client. Typical clients are professional services firms: economic consulting, management consulting, marketing and advertising agencies. Also, entrepreneurs, producers and manufacturers. Large multinational corporations in a variety of industries. Projects include:
For a contract medical devices manufacturer: laboratory techniques for tissue analysis, identifying standards of practice and addressable markets for applications for a new optical biopsy technology..
For a start-up medical equipment manufacturer: market assessment for wound therapy medical mattress, including "street" prices for select models, purchasing dynamics by hospital purchasing groups and revenues in North America for four competitors' makes and models.
For a technical marketing agency: a market assessment outlook for composites in nine application industries worldwide including wind energy, automotive, heavy industrial, appliances, HVAC.
For a South American industrial explosives producer: a study of the demand and use of commercial (non-military) explosives, blasting services, ANFO and packaged emulsions in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America with particular attention to quarrying, construction and mining.
For an executive recruiter: A report describing 50 industrial scientific instrumentation firms that do business with Federal or state governments, including contacts, located within New England.
For a creative advertising agency: The evolution and development of WebMD with an emphasis on launch strategy and assumptions iabout the Internet.
For a consumer market research firm: Voice of the Customer (VOC) ethnography interviews, report and observation of consumer shoppers of confectionary, gum and mints.
Is confidentiality assured?
All work is done in confidence within legal and ethical means. Your company and project is only disclosed if you want it to be. Often work is conducted under NDA (non disclosure agreement).
Why would I use Halpern Info Services when I can use any number of search engines to find information?
Big brand name search engines are good for simple look-ups, but search engines lack the ability to compile and analyze and put matters into context. We focus on specialization, relevance, time saved and erroneous information avoided.
At last count there were over 100 million websites and over 70 million blogs contributing to information overload. There are thousands of specialized search engines too.
If you’ve ever been in a position of needing specialized or hard to find information quickly, for an unplanned or unforeseen need, you know the value that only an information services team like Halpern Info Services can provide.
How is payment conducted?
Checks are typically used. Typically, 50% is required at project inception and the balance due upon completion. List orders require payment in full, in advance. To ensure payment, credit card information may be requested at inception from new clients. Thank you.