Industrial market research consulting is a professional and complex service that requires a consultant with deep industry knowledge, analytical skills and communication skills. This paper introduces how to improve the effect of industrial market research and consultation from eight aspects, including clear objectives, selecting appropriate methods, collecting effective data, conducting in-depth analysis, making professional reports, presenting persuasive conclusions, establishing good customer relations and continuous follow-up. This paper also shows the application and value of industrial market research consulting in practice by combining the specific cases of Shangpu consulting service customers.

Industrial market research consulting is a professional and complex service, which involves the investigation and analysis of the demand, supply, competition, price, channel, innovation and other aspects of industrial products or services to help customers solve problems, seize opportunities or formulate strategies. Industrial market research consulting is different from consumer market research consulting. It requires consultants with deep industry knowledge, analytical skills and communication skills to provide high-quality and efficient services.

So, how to improve the effect of industrial market research consulting? This article introduces some skills from the following eight aspects, hoping to inspire and help consultants who are engaged in or interested in this service.

Clear objectives. Before starting any industrial market research consulting project, it is first necessary to clarify what the goal of the project is, that is, what problems the customer wants to solve or achieve. This requires adequate communication and confirmation with the customer to avoid ambiguous or inconsistent objectives. Clear objectives help determine the scope, content, methodology and timing of the project, as well as assess the feasibility and value of the project.

Choose the appropriate method. According to the objectives and characteristics of the project, it is very important to choose the appropriate market research methods. Market research methods are mainly divided into qualitative and quantitative two, qualitative methods mainly through interviews, observations, case studies and other ways to collect in-depth information and insights, quantitative methods mainly through questionnaires, statistical analysis and other ways to collect a large amount of data and evidence. In general, qualitative methods are more suitable for exploratory or innovative projects, and quantitative methods are more suitable for confirmatory or evaluative projects. Of course, the two methods can also be used in combination as needed to achieve complementary and optimized effects.

Collect valid data. Data is the foundation and core of industrial market research and consultation. Without effective data, effective analysis and suggestions cannot be carried out. Collecting valid data is therefore a critical step. Valid data should be accurate, complete, reliable, timely, relevant and representative. In order to collect effective data, consultants need to design reasonable samples, develop detailed guidelines, select credible sources, use scientific tools, perform strict quality control and carry out appropriate cleaning.

conduct an in-depth analysis. Analysis is the core and soul of industrial market research consulting, through the analysis of data, consultants can find problems, identify opportunities, reveal patterns, make assumptions, verify conclusions and form recommendations. Therefore, an in-depth analysis is an essential step. In-depth analysis should have the following characteristics: logical, systematic, innovative, objective and based. In order to conduct an in-depth analysis, consultants need to apply appropriate frameworks, methods and models, as well as make full use of their industry knowledge and experience.

Make professional reports. The report is the result and presentation of industrial market research consulting, through which the consultant can convey information to the client, explain the analysis, present conclusions and recommend recommendations. Therefore, producing a professional report is an important step. Professional reports should have the following characteristics: clear, concise, orderly, powerful and interesting. In order to produce professional reports, consultants need to follow a certain structure, format and style, as well as use appropriate language, diagrams and cases.

Present persuasive conclusions. Conclusion is the focus and highlight of industrial market research and consultation. Through the conclusion, the consultant can summarize the problems, explain the opportunities, make suggestions and point out the direction to the customers. Therefore, presenting persuasive conclusions is a key step. A persuasive conclusion should have the following characteristics: accurate, clear, practical, feasible and valuable. In order to present a convincing conclusion, the consultant needs to be based on adequate data and analysis, as well as considering the needs and expectations of the client.

Build good customer relationships. Customer relationship is the foundation and guarantee of industrial market research and consulting. Through customer relationship, consultants can build trust, communicate needs, coordinate resources, resolve conflicts and increase satisfaction with customers. Therefore, building good customer relationships is a necessary step. Good customer relationship should have the following characteristics: respect, integrity, cooperation, communication and service. In order to build good client relationships, consultants need to adhere to professional ethics, respect client culture, listen to customers, respond to customer feedback and exceed customer expectations.

Continued follow-up. Follow-up is the continuation and improvement of industrial market research consulting. Through follow-up, consultants can keep in touch with customers, evaluate results, solve problems, provide support and seek opportunities. Therefore, continuous follow-up is a useful step. Continuous follow-up should have the following characteristics: timely, proactive, professional and friendly. For ongoing follow-up, consultants need to regularly contact clients, get feedback, offer advice, share information, and explore collaboration.

These are the eight tips introduced in this article to enhance the effectiveness of industrial market research consulting, hoping to help and inspire readers. Of course, these skills are not fixed or complete. Each project has its own unique situation and challenges, which need to be flexibly used and continuously improved by consultants according to the actual situation. Industrial market research consulting is an interesting and rewarding service that provides valuable information and advice to clients, as well as opportunities for consultants to learn and grow.

Below, we will show the application and value of industrial market research consulting in practice, taking into account the specific cases of Shangpu consulting service customers.

Case 1: China Market Entry Strategy for a European Industrial Robot Manufacturer

Background: The customer is a European industrial robot manufacturer, mainly producing high-end six-axis robots, mainly used in automotive, electronics, metal and other industries. Customers want to enter the Chinese market, but lack the understanding and experience of the Chinese market.

Objective: To help customers formulate China market entry strategy, including market size, competitive landscape, target customers, channel models, pricing strategies, partners, etc.

Methods: Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, data were collected through desktop research, industry expert interviews, potential customer interviews, competitor analysis, etc., and analyzed by PESTEL analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis and other methods.

Conclusion: China's industrial robot market is huge and growing rapidly, but the competition is also very fierce, mainly composed of domestic low-end brands and foreign high-end brands. The advantage of customers lies in their high product quality, stable performance and advanced technology, but the disadvantage lies in their low brand awareness, high price and weak channel. Customers are advised to adopt the following strategies:

The automotive industry was chosen as the entry point because of the high demand for robots and the high requirements for quality and performance.

Choose the direct sales model as the main channel, because this model can better control product quality and service level, and establish direct contact with customers.

Choose to cooperate with well-known domestic system integrators or agents, because it can use its resources and relationships to expand market coverage and influence.

Choose to determine the price by cost plus reasonable profit margin, because this can ensure the competitiveness of the product and profit margins.

Choose to set up a localization team or office in China to provide faster and professional pre-sales and after-sales services.

Case 2: China Market Growth Strategy for a US Industrial Gas Supplier

Background: The customer is an American industrial gas supplier, mainly producing oxygen, nitrogen, argon and other gases, and supplying them to customers through pipelines or tankers, mainly used in petrochemical, steel, glass and other industries. The customer already has some business in the Chinese market, but wants to further increase market share and revenue.

Objective: To help clients develop growth strategies for the Chinese market, including market opportunities, target industries, target regions, competitive advantages, and marketing strategies.

Methods: Using quantitative-based and qualitative-assisted methods, data are collected through desktop research, industry reports, policy documents, etc., and market segmentation analysis, demand forecasting analysis, cost-benefit analysis and other methods are used for analysis.

Conclusion: China's industrial gas market still has a large room for growth, mainly due to the following reasons:

The advance of industrialization and urbanization has led to the growth of industrial gas demand.

The requirements of environmental protection and energy saving promote the alternative and innovative application of industrial gases.

The government's support and encouragement provide policy and financial guarantee for the development of industrial gas.

Customers are advised to adopt the following strategies:

Choose emerging industries as the key development direction, such as new energy, new materials, biomedicine, etc., because these industries have a large and fast-growing demand for industrial gases, and have high profit margins and barriers.

The eastern coastal areas are selected as the main expansion areas, such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, etc., because these areas have developed and concentrated industries, and have better infrastructure and policy environment.

Choose product quality and service level as the core competitive advantage, because these are the most concerned and most valued factors of customers, and also the basic requirements of customers for industrial gas suppliers.

Choose differentiation and segmentation as the main marketing strategy, because this can better meet the personalized and diversified needs of customers, and can better distinguish themselves from competitors.

These are two cases of Shangpu consulting service customers, through these cases, we can see how industrial market research consulting in practice is how to use the above techniques to improve the effect. Of course, these cases are just some simple examples, and actual projects may be more complex and diverse.