Ulster Marketing Surveys Launch The Ulster Marketing Surveys Business Omnibus

Ulster Marketing Surveys has launched the Ulster Marketing Surveys Business Omnibus. This is a unique business research service, which provides a cost effective means of researching the opinions of the Northern Ireland business community.

The service can be used for many purposes including tracking, understanding corporate image, evaluating promotional and developmental initiatives and providing insight into awareness and perceptions of products and services.

The omnibus is conducted quarterly by telephone amongst owners/proprietors, directors or general managers of businesses based in the Province.

One recent example of its usage was to investigate the views and opinions of businesses with regard to European Monetary Union. At present, the UK remains outside the EMU, notwithstanding the launch of the European currency, the Euro.

In Northern Ireland, business opinion was divided as to whether the U.K., should join EMU, with no absolute majority one way or another. However, those opposed outnumbered those in favour.

When asked for their views of the impact on their own business if the UK switched to the Euro, the business community again expressed uncertainty. However, perhaps the most salient finding is that 22% of businesses definitively feel that a switch to the Euro would actually be bad for business: further analysis shows that the service sector companies are much more apprehensive about the prospect under the Euro than are manufacturing businesses.

Fiona Norman who is responsible for the service said "We have taken this initiative not only to listen to and understand the needs and circumstances of business customers but also as a platform for the expression of the views and opinions of the business community."

For more information on the service please contact Fiona Norman.