ASC/MRS Technology Social Evening

Tuesday 16^th January 2007 at the
Grouse and Claret Pub
14-15 Little Chester Street, Belgravia SW1X 7AP
(Nearest tubes, Victoria and Hyde Park Corner)

We would like to invite all ASC members to our next evening social meeting on Tuesday 16 January. We run these events quarterly and they are free to ASC members. The objective is to provide a short briefing on a technology topic of interest, followed by an opportunity to socialise with your friends and colleagues in the industry. We provide bar snacks and drinks, paid for by the ASC until 8.30pm, although we will have the venue for the whole evening if you want to stay on.

The evening will consist of a debate by two industry luminaries on the motion:

This house deplores the rise of DIY research software that has the potential to damage the professional market research industry

Proposing the motion will be Greg Smith, Ipsos MORI, a professional market researcher with many years industry experience, including the introduction of new and innovative technologies to some of the major UK research companies.

Opposing the motion will be Peter Wills, founder and CEO of Snap Surveys, one of the most popular DIY software packages with over 25,000 customers in 40 countries.

The event is open to ASC members, MRS members and those who work at MRS Company Partner organisations. If you do not fall into one of these categories you may attend the first meeting at no charge, but will need to satisfy our membership requirements to attend future events - it is possible to join the ASC at the meeting. If you have any doubts please contact the ASC administrator.

Report

This is a hot industry issue and led to passionate speeches from our excellent debaters. Greg Smith (Ipsos MORI), and Steve Taylor (Inputech), proposed the motion highlighting the dangers that such technologies can have on the research process. Peter Wills (Snap Surveys), and Nicola Stanley (Silver Dialogue), spoke convincingly from the perspective of the user describing the excellent benefits that DIY software can bring to clients.

An insightful discussion followed. The general feeling from the audience suggested that there are significant dangers caused by anyone without research knowledge using any software (from the cheapest DIY to the most complex). The concept of ‘DIY software’ is therefore somewhat misleading. The responsibility should perhaps fall on all retailers of market research software to sell their products with a health warning and recommend the services of research experts where appropriate.

The pre and post voting showed a moderate swing against the motion resulting in a final victory for the opposition 52% to 48%. Peter and Nicola celebrated their victory but congratulated their opposition on a very fair fight. All agreed that although the result was very interesting, it was the chance to get together and discuss such an interesting topic with other industry representatives in a light-hearted manner over a drink or two that was the real winner!

Timetable