I think this idea may actually have some legs, and it's something that is completely do-able within the Cambrian House framework.

Advertisers, for instance, are always looking for focus groups to test out new products/slogas/commercials/etc., before going to market.

What you're suggesting here is that Consumer Research could actually be done using a Crowdsourcing model.

I'd be interested in knowing if any Market Research firms have looked into crowdsourced models like this before?

Hi Hagrid,

yea, thats exactly what I'm proposing, community based consumer research.

Was also thinking that some of the other CH features are equally as applicable e.g. nothing to stop advertisers posting 3 or 4 videos and asking the community to vote on their preferred options and to post comments/suggestions.

Glad you think it has some merit ;-)

garsbars

this definitely seems interesting. I can't believe nobody has this already, it seems like it would be pretty easy to get off the ground. My girlfriend works at environics.ca which does tons of market testing/studies. I'm seeing her tonight. I'll pick her brain and she what she says.

I love this idea, has lots of potential, could really become quite popular.

This has potential.

Wow yet another consumer research scam site idea. As if the Internet did not have enough all ready.

So Workman, you are a member for one day, don't have the balls to sumbit your own idea.....and then brand this as a scam idea.....you are a real class act.

C'mon CH. Do we really want to encourage people like this?

good one!

Brilliant idea loads of potential

Like it.
Tommy

ok are you gonna concentrate on any particular field of research?? in terms of products or is it gonna be open to all industries...in which case it will require a hell lot of research!

anyways all the best!...i like the idea!

cheers'
varun

I like it, but there are a lot of survey site and consumer evaluation system.

I get called to evaluate products... in a hands on way, and I give my opinion on their web site or do the surveys.

So I don't see in witch way this is new.

]V[oogy

I guess I would see this as trying to target fairly large corporates initially, companies who would normally spend quite a bit of money, and have the greatest potential to save money using the service.

As far as differentiation, you have to look at CH itself.....there are other collaborattive sites out there....but CH stands out from the crowd.

In the same way CBCR would stand out as the we would ensure the accuracy of feedback in terms of age and demographics (yes this means there would be some additional levels of authentication to join the community).

We could also use voting, as per CH, ideaWarz and the community could submit meaningful contributions.

It would be the whole package (as per CH) as oppossed to other half-baked sites.....

hmmmm...i dunno but upon reading the first line i remember Maureen's RIVAL SCOUT.

But isnt this just be another popup survey thing or unwanted email? Except if you have a good marketng blue print to let the crowd visit you of course thats another thing.

please tell us more.

Not sure about RIVAL SCOUT, there has been a few similar ideas, BUT I originally submitted this in Feb, at that time I did not see any similar ones around.

I think the KEY is that we have a validated community, in other words people need to go through some kind of screening/validation process before being allowed to join the community. This will alllow companies to target the demographics they are interested in.

As far as pop ups etc,......no way jose....the model follows CH, we have an active community that provides feedback....the companies pay to have this feedback and we run it as per IdeaWarz or similar....I HATE those crappy popups......and if I do ever do one I am always liberal with the truth...

Good idea. Like mystery shoppers. No need to limit to internet-only surveys. There could be in-person cadres as well.

If you treat the crowd well for participating, and are very picky about the quality of the feedback you provide to your customers, this could be a very strong service.

Would you also want to build the surveys for the companies singing up for this? Or would you have them suply those themselves?

I like the idea btw

Jill,
thanks yea, I think a strong cummunity and filtered feedback is key.

Eagle,

I think it works both ways, the companies could submit fairly specific questions......or they could be looking for some open ended input.... e.g. what do you REALLY want from your ISP ?

If you could figure out a way to get the same benefit that you would from a traditional focus group http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_group it would be very useful.

I find this one cool..and Brilliant if it will come cheap.

great idea.. real feedback is good

One question: what ensures that the data coming out of it is actually valuable to the companies that hire you? You said it yourself, the users of the community will be driven by making money and they will follow whatever trend it develops on rating this or the other product. But how do you guarantee that these trends have anything to do with actual success in the market?
If you have not done so yet, please read "Freakonomics". I am not kidding, it will broaden your views on why people do what they do.
If you can solve the problem above, you have a winner. Meanwhile you are in good company, many people are working on this...

great.....cambrianhouse is the the way of the future..

Great idea, I've been thinking of similar things myself lately.

I see a few really big challenges most of them already mentioned abover, plus those that apply to traditional focus groups. Plus it would really depend on the types of market research being conducted. You could focus on completed products (like your example of picking the best product or video) or if you want to use your crowdsourcing to identify new market opportunities and use customer requirements to drive innovation. I see a lot of value in the second opportunity. Check out Anthony Ulwick's book "What Customers Want".

Guys, thanks for the comments. I note that a few of you have been thinking about ideas on similar lines.

I don't have too much time to invest in starting this as a business, but if you are interested let me know and perhaps we can get 3 or 4 of us involved in developing the idea.

Gary

Noniesaft has offered to help, are there any others?

CH would be a great contributor as leveraging from their existing architecture would make things much easier to get rolling.

gettin better?...or i did not clearly get this one completely last time?
whatever you got my vote this time!;-)

Very nice idea!

very nice
do you have a value/revenue model

Check out a site/community called Ciao. Users register to take market research surveys and write reviews of products they own, for both of which they get paid. I acknowledge that it's a little different from your idea in detail, but still worth a look I think.

great idea! when are you starting?

Thanks guys.

If I get enough people interested then I will ask CH for some help and start this concept as a business.

Gazza

welcome back..whats the latest?

The only problem I see here is that the users of such a site are going to be part of just a single demographic (or at least a majority will be.) On average, your internet user would not be, say, the 65+ retiree crowd or the 15- child crowd. You will be limiting the number of clients who would utilize your service based upon the type of reviewers who would take part in your site. Not saying its not a good idea, I just see this as one potential problem.

Hi Guys,

true_daniel....nothing added to the idea, just entered it again as it seems to have gradually been gathering a greater level of support.

I think it's unusual for an idea to be so good that it wins on it's first tournament entry. Pattern seems to be that support is gathered over a few tournaments.

I'm hoping to eventually win a round. In the long run having a solid support behind the idea will give us a good head start when it's turned into a business.

ThrasherC - yea, accept that the demographics of 65+ and 15-child will not have as much presense. You could argue that lower socia-economic groups would also be less represented. In a capitalist world companies target those which have the highest levels of disposable income....these companies are going to represent our core business.

If you think about it though, nothing to stop the review community canvassing opinion from friends and family and submitting on their behalf.

just a clarification:

"Secondly the community have a vested interest in rating products, they get paid for this !! and if the product they recommend does well they will get extra $$"

do you intend to pay the member in Cambros(again)???

how has this idea changed since it was here last time?

if it doesn't grow it will not win

think positive...

What about linking it to locality so that people in the network can actually go to a customer say a petrol-station chain, take notes and write a full review to upload?!

It would be a little like those anonymous restaurant-couples that write influencial newspaper-reviews on restaurants.

Clearly chains would pay to get such reality-feedback and that could be used to pay the reviewer?

Just my small thoughts here..

Best
Torgrot

I like the idea, but there is a need for thinking through how you would differentiate yourself from these other services and show that the research is better, more consistent, more credible, cheaper, or simpler