Projects related to: Assessment of Client Company Needs & Purchasing Behavior

Market Research and Analysis of SME Manufacturing Companies (NIST MEP)
  • “Market Research and Analysis Project – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Identified competitive drivers, technical assistance needs, and purchasing behavior of small manufacturers nationwide. Developed 13 separate industry analyses based in part on 160 face-to-face interviews with manufacturers. Strategic implications were developed for the MEP program based on this market analysis.
Market Research and Segmentation - US Exporters
  • “Market Segmentation Research Initiative – US Department of Commerce: US Commercial Service and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
    Acted as advisor on major research effort to understand the service needs, behavior and attitudes of US exporters.
Strategies of Successful US Exporters
  • International Growth Strategies for US Manufacturers – US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
    Studied successful export strategies employed by small US-based manufacturers.
Auto B2B eCommerce – Impact on US SMM Suppliers
  • Automotive B2B eCommerce: Impact in Small Suppliers – US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and Consortium of MEP Centers
    Studied the impact of trends in B2B eCommerce on lower-tier, small and mid-size automotive suppliers, and identified ways that MEP centers can help suppliers become eReady.
RoHS-WEEE Impact on US SMM suppliers
  • Study on the Impact of RoHS-WEEE on Electronics/Electrical Equipment Manufacturers – U.S. Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Assessed the impact of RoHS-WEEE regulations in Europe on the electronics supply chain, and identified the requirements for small and mid-size manufacturers to be ready and compliant.
Regional Market Analysis, Planning and Targeting Strategy for MEP Centers
  • Regional Market Analysis Project Handbook – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Developed handbook for MEP centers that provides practical guidance for conducting regional market analysis of the manufacturing base and for using the information to make strategic decisions about target markets, product/service offerings, and marketing.
  • CONNSTEP Target Market Research – Customer Interview Project, August 2005
    Identified competitive challenges and service needs of Connecticut small and mid-size manufacturers, focusing on areas that supported revenue growth (strategy, marketing and product development) as opposed to MEP’s traditional areas of practice (operational/manufacturing issues). Also obtained customer input on new “Enterprise Growth” service offerings.
Market Strategy for New Branded Service (NIST MEP)
  • Market Strategy for New Branded Consulting Service – US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Assisted client in strategy refinement for new branded consulting service based in part on market interviews with the MEP/Stone & Associates Market Research Panel of manufacturing company executives.
Market Research - SMM Competitiveness
  • Market Research Panel of Manufacturing Executives – US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Organized and managed a market research panel of manufacturing executives from MEP center clients. Leveraged the panel for valuable research on manufacturing competitiveness and service needs
  • 360vu Market Research Brand Equity Team Leader – US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Co-led brand equity team that managed market research, as part of national 360vu brand initiative of the MEP network.
Report on Export Assistance Strategy for SMMs
  • ON THE THRESHOLD: REFOCUSING U.S. EXPORT ASSISTANCE STRATEGY FOR MANUFACTURERS, 2013 [Full] [Exec Summary] — US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Research paper on strategies that export assistance organizations may employ to help expand international sales of small to mid-sized manufacturers.
Successful Strategies for Competing Against China / Low Cost Countries
  • Competing Against China/Low-Cost Countries in Manufacturing – US Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Studied the migration of manufacturing to China, the impact on US small manufacturers, and potential strategies for US firms to successfully compete against China-based competitors. Research based on over 100 interviews with manufacturing executives. See our report: Competing Against Manufacturing in Low Cost Regions: Focus on China (2004)