Industrial market research refers to the process of systematic collection, collation, analysis and interpretation of the behaviors, attitudes, needs, satisfaction, etc. of potential or existing buyers, sellers, competitors, partners and other relevant subjects of industrial products or services. The purpose of industrial market research is to help customers formulate or adjust their market strategies to improve their market competitiveness and profitability. The object of industrial market research is usually complex, multi-level, diversified and dynamic. Therefore, industrial market research requires professional knowledge, skills and experience, as well as flexible thinking and innovative ability.

As a professional service provider, consulting firms often provide industrial market research services to their clients. In this process, the consulting company must not only meet the needs and expectations of customers, but also ensure its own quality and efficiency, as well as a good relationship with customers. Therefore, when consulting companies conduct industrial market research, they must pay attention to the following aspects:

Clarify research objectives and scope. Before accepting a client's commission, the consulting firm should fully communicate with the client to understand the client's background, problems, needs and expectations, as well as the client's use and value of the research results. Based on this information, the consulting company should clarify the research objectives and scope, including the research object, content, method, time, cost, etc., and reach an agreement with the client. In this way, problems such as target ambiguity, scope diffusion, and improper methods can be avoided in the research process.

Select appropriate data sources and collection methods. When conducting industrial market research, consulting firms should select appropriate data sources and collection methods according to the research objectives and scope. Data sources can be divided into primary data and secondary data. First-hand data refers to the data obtained directly from the research object by the consulting company through questionnaires, interviews, observations and other methods designed and implemented by the consulting company. Second-hand data refers to the data obtained indirectly by consulting companies through consulting literature, network information, industry reports, etc. In general, first-hand data is more accurate, reliable and timely, but it is also more time-consuming, costly and resource-intensive. Second-hand data is more convenient, faster and economical, but it is also more likely to be distorted, outdated and incomplete. Therefore, the consulting company should select the appropriate data source and collection method according to the specific situation of the research, considering the quality, quantity, availability and cost of the data, so as to ensure the validity and adequacy of the data.

Apply scientific methods of analysis and forecasting. When conducting industrial market research, consulting firms use scientific analysis and forecasting methods to process, organize, summarize and interpret the data collected to reveal the patterns, trends, problems and opportunities behind the data. Analytical and forecasting methods can be divided into quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods refer to the use of mathematical, statistical, economic and other tools to quantify the measurement, calculation, comparison and inference of data. Qualitative method refers to the use of logical, psychological, social and other tools to describe, interpret, evaluate and judge the data. In general, quantitative methods are more objective, precise and systematic, but also more abstract, complex and limited. Qualitative methods are more subjective, intuitive and flexible, but also more vague, one-sided and arbitrary. Therefore, consulting firms should use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of analysis and forecasting, depending on the specifics of the study.

Provide valuable research reports and recommendations. After conducting industrial market research, consulting firms provide valuable research reports and recommendations to their clients. The research report should include research objectives, scope, methods, results,Conclusionand other content, and presented in a clear, concise and logical manner. The research report should be focused, avoid redundancy, and use auxiliary tools such as charts and diagrams to increase readability. The study recommends feasible solutions or improvements to the customer's problems and needs, and describes their advantages, risks, and implementation steps. Research recommendations should be targeted, innovative and operational.

In order to better illustrate the aspects that consulting firms should pay attention to in industrial market research, we summarize the successful experience and failure lessons of consulting firms in industrial market research by analyzing several real industrial market research cases.

Case 1: Shangpu Consulting provides an analysis of the competitive landscape of the Chinese robot market for an internationally renowned robot manufacturer.

Background: The robot manufacturer is one of the world's leading robot manufacturers, with high brand awareness and market share in the Chinese market. However, in recent years, the manufacturer has found itself facing fierce competition from local robot manufacturers in the Chinese market. Its market share has declined, and it has been surpassed by local manufacturers in some segments. In order to meet this challenge, the manufacturer hopes to understand the competitive landscape of the Chinese robot market, including the scale, product, price, channel, and technical level of competitors, and formulate corresponding market strategies based on this information.

Objective: Champ Consulting accepted the manufacturer's commission and clarified the following research objectives and scope:

Analysis of the overall size, structure, growth rates, trends and drivers of the Chinese robotics market

Identify the main competitors in the Chinese robot market, including their market share, product line, price strategy, channel distribution, technology level, etc.

Assessing the Competitive Intensity, Competitive Advantage and Competitive Risk of China's Robot Market

Propose effective market strategy recommendations for the Chinese robot market

Data sources and collection methods:

First-hand data: Champ Consulting collected data from the Chinese robotics market through online questionnaires and telephone interviews.200multiple buyers (including industrial manufacturing enterprises, service institutions, educational institutions, etc.) and50The data of many sellers (including domestic and foreign robot manufacturers and agents) involve their cognition, demand, satisfaction, selection criteria, future plans and other aspects of the robot market.

Second-hand data: Shangpu Consulting has collected historical data, current situation data and forecast data on China's robot market by consulting relevant domestic and foreign literature, network information, industry reports, etc., as well as information on policies and regulations, technological development and international comparison of the robot industry.

Analysis and forecasting methods:

Quantitative method: Shangpu Consulting used descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, cluster analysis, factor analysis and other methods to quantitatively process and explain the collected data, and obtained the basic characteristics of China's robot market, influencing factors, market segments, competitor groups and other results.

Qualitative approach: Champ Consulting appliedSWOTAnalysis, Porter's five-force model analysis, value chain analysis and other methods, the collected data were evaluated and judged non-quantitatively, and the results of the competitive intensity, competitive advantage and competitive risk of China's robot market were obtained.

Research reports and recommendations:

Research Report: Champ Consulting has provided a detailed research report for the robot manufacturer, including the following:

Market overview: The overall size, structure, growth rate, trends and driving factors of the Chinese robot market are introduced, as well as the comparison with the global robot market.

Market segmentation: This paper introduces the segmentation of China's robot market according to product type (industrial robot, service robot, etc.), application field (manufacturing industry, service industry, etc.), region (eastern region, central region, etc.), as well as the scale, growth rate and demand characteristics of each market segment.

Competitor analysis: The main competitors in China's robot market are introduced, including their market share, product line, price strategy, channel distribution, technical level, etc., and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed.

Competitive landscape assessment: the competitive intensity of the Chinese robot market (according to the Porter's five forces model), competitive advantage (according toSWOTanalysis), competitive risk (accordingPESTELanalysis), etc., and the corresponding ratings and rankings are given.

Market strategy suggestions: according to the research results, the effective market strategy suggestions for China's robot market are put forward, including product strategy (such as product innovation, product differentiation, etc.), price strategy (such as price advantage, price elasticity, etc.), channel strategy (such as channel expansion, channel cooperation, etc.), promotion strategy (such as brand promotion, customer relationship, etc.), and its implementation steps and expected effect are explained.

Research recommendations: Champ Consulting provides the following research recommendations for the robot manufacturer:

Continue to maintain its leading position in the Chinese robot market, and use its brand advantages, technical advantages and channel advantages to consolidate and expand its market share.

Focus on the innovation ability in the Chinese robot market, develop and launch new robot products that meet the needs and characteristics of the Chinese market, and improve its product competitiveness and added value.

Pay attention to the changes and opportunities in China's robot market, adjust and optimize its market strategy in time, seize potential growth points and profit points, and improve its market efficiency and profitability.

Strengthen communication and cooperation with the Chinese robot market, establish and maintain good relations with customers, competitors, partners, etc., and improve its market reputation and influence.

Successful experience:

In conducting this industrial market research, Champ Consulting demonstrated the following successful experiences:

Fully understand the needs and expectations of customers, clarify the research objectives and scope, and avoid problems such as vague objectives and scope diffusion.

Comprehensive use of first-hand data and second-hand data to ensure the validity and adequacy of data, to avoid data distortion, outdated and other issues.

Comprehensive use of quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of analysis and prediction, to avoid analytical errors, prediction bias and other issues.

Provide valuable research reports and recommendations to meet the customer's purpose and value, avoid reporting redundancy, invalid recommendations and other issues.

Lessons from failure:

When Champ Consulting conducted the industrial market research, there were also the following failure lessons:

When collecting first-hand data, the diversity and complexity of China's robot market are not fully taken into account, resulting in insufficient representativeness and randomness of sample selection, which may affect the reliability of the data.

When collecting second-hand data, the data resources provided by relevant professional institutions or platforms at home and abroad are not fully utilized, resulting in insufficient authoritative and professional data sources, which may affect the quality of data.

In the use of quantitative methods, the distribution characteristics of the data and the treatment of outliers are not fully considered, resulting in the analysis results are not robust and effective, which may affect the reliability of the analysis.

In the application of qualitative methods, the specific circumstances and preferences of clients are not fully taken into account, resulting in the results of the recommendations being less targeted and innovative, which may affect the implementation of the recommendations.