Archived News 2006
Archived News 2007
Annual benchmarking group voices key issues about customer satisfaction measurement and benchmarking
18 December 2007
A host of different private sector companies gathered at ORC International on 6 December to discuss areas of interest surrounding customer satisfaction measurement and benchmarking . . .
ABI to address low take-up of insurance in lower income groups
10 November 2007
Thirty-five per cent of people in the lowest income households (less than £10,000 per year) have no insurance at all. But they also need insurance most as they face higher risks from crime, fire and flooding . . .
BS7911 update: quality management systems robust and endemic in culture
5 November 2007
ORC International is pleased to announce its continued accreditation to BS7911:2003 . . .
Excellent customer service is worth its weight in gold...
26 October 2007
On 10 October 2007 ORC International hosted a research seminar at Shakespeare’s Globe, which explored key themes around excellent customer service . . .
Proud to be sponsoring the PACT Charity Ball
12 October 2007
ORC International is proud to be sponsoring a table at the PACT (Parents' Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia) Charity Ball at Cutlers Hall in Sheffield on 1 March 2008. . .
ORC International shortlisted for research award 2007
8 October 2007
ORC International is delighted to have been selected as a finalist in the Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2007. We will be competing in the category of MRS Applications of Research to showcase the success story of Premier Travel Inn’s Guest Recommend Programme. . .
ORC International’s involvement in the Customer: Strategy & Management 2007 event
17 September 2007
The UK’s leading exhibition and conference for integrated customer solutions will bring together customer insight professionals to explore key themes around excellent customer service and to gain greater knowledge about latest tools which help improve the customer experience. . .
2006 - year of success and innovation at ORC International
13 September 2007
ORC International has maintained its top ten slot in Marketing’s 2006 league table of research organisations and looks back on 2006 as an outstanding year of success and innovation. Globally, ORC ranks 17th, according to Inside Research. . .
ORC International’s seminar: Research made simple through web technology
12 September 2007
ORC International will hold a half-day seminar in Sheffield to provide DWP executives with the latest information on effective survey techniques applied in research. . .
Green energy: are we aware of the possibilities?
5 September 2007
With climate change and the need for greener energy becoming ever present topics for debate, Kent County Council commissioned ORC International to explore residents’ awareness and perceptions of alternative energy sources. . .
Linking employee opinion to your BVPI scores
31 August 2007
Examining the link between employee engagement and BVPI resident survey results can be a powerful and insightful investigation that will directly inform what impact local authority employees have on their Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) survey results. ORC International is currently implementing a national study to correlate employee opinions with BV3 and BV4 . . .
Emerging Europe – reaching beyond the comfort zone?
17 July 2007
The emerging markets of eastern Europe are progressively following the trends and aspirations of their western neighbours. These economies are developing at a fast pace and offer high growth potential for businesses in more established markets. International market research initiatives therefore need to become more closely aligned with the activities of companies looking to exploit the new market growth opportunities outside the western "comfort zone". . .
Market research in China – awakening the sleeping dragon
15 July 2007
This 5000-year-long civilisation, on path to becoming a socialist market economy, is abundant with opportunities for market researchers willing to venture eastwards. As China's research environment is currently undergoing significant socio-economic changes, the value of research to both foreign investors and domestic companies is escalating. . .
Briefing from ORC International's 12th Annual Employee Research Conference
2 July 2007
On 28 June 2007 ORC International hosted its annual, London-based conference. The event gathered together more than 100 HR and research professionals who explored a diverse range of topics covering employee engagement, action planning and managing staff through change. . .
29 June 2007
When tendering for the purchase of new services, public sector organisations need to ensure a fair and transparent process that complies with EU procurement directives. This involves a long, resource-consuming and costly tender process. . .
27 June 2007
As part of its Digital Dividend Review, Ofcom, the communications regulator, wanted to conduct research to investigate public opinion about potential uses of spectrum freed up by the digital switchover process. . .
Leitch and Apprenticeships - moving the research agenda forward
26 June 2007
The findings of the Leitch Review are commanding much attention across several government departments. This Review foretells the skills that UK employers and citizens are likely to need by the year 2020, if the country is to continue to prosper at its current level. . .
From techno to tech-yes
Pilot of the 'radically simple' myguide service readies UK online centres for national roll-out
24 June 2007
Around 16 million people in the UK are ‘excluded’ from using technology, many of whom are on low incomes, have physical disabilities or are socially disadvantaged in some other way. This group stand outside the ‘techno’ world, disengaged from becoming ‘tech-yes’. . .
New skills gap analysis informs the supply of training
22 June 2007
Addressing gaps in skills provision to meet the local priorities is a key concern for colleges, other training providers and employers. But where are the gaps, exactly? Research into skills gaps is possible using the National Employer Skills Survey (NESS), re-analysed at a local level. . .
Healthy on the inside; healthy on the outside
18 June 2007
In the education and skills sector, much emphasis is currently placed on learner and employer research, to help inform a ‘demand-led’ system. However, across the wider public and private sectors, Employee Research is a fast-growing area. . .
6 June 2007
ORC International’s benchmarking database, ORC Perspectives, shows the rising satisfaction trends with the overall service provided by landlords. Likewise, overall satisfaction levels with landlords’ repairs and maintenance services have gradually risen since 2002 . . .
No more barriers to Internet access
Pilot of new myguide service readies UK online centres for national roll-out
5 June 2007
Gaining and developing skills in using the Internet and e-mail can lead to numerous social and economic opportunities at both a personal and a community level. But around 16m people in the UK are "excluded" from using technology, many of whom are on low incomes, have physical disabilities or are socially disadvantaged in some other way. This group stands outside the "techno" world, disengaged from becoming "tech-yes". . .
No time to rest in the midday sun
28 May 2007
Public Servants are all too aware of the pressure to deliver the Government’s modernisation agenda. In a climate which increasingly calls for accountable and more efficient services, Senior Civil Servants face the challenge of ensuring that the public’s growing expectations are not only met, but exceeded. . .
Bridging the gap between data analysis and visual presentation
10 May 2007
You have collected your data - achieving high response rates - and now you are faced with endless data sheets to interpret and share within your organisation. Ever wondered how to make the process less complicated. . .
18,000 customers can’t be wrong
5 May 2007
Over 18,000 customers have recently taken part in a survey to discuss their experience of the pensions, protection and investments industry. . .
Interactive local government seminar
27 April 2007
Local government officers discuss the implications of the White Paper and the role research can play in helping to achieve strong and prosperous communities. . .
Trust Boots ... to embrace the latest employee research techniques!
18 April 2007
Boots The Chemists has adopted the tagline, “Trust Boots”. But it’s more than just a slogan. Not only does it describe the trust which customers place in the company; it also describes the faith the company puts in its 63,000 employees. . .
Talkshop at Topshop and Topman
16 April 2007
Topshop and Topman has long-since recognised the importance of marketing itself as an exciting employer in order to attract the best staff in the business. As part of its 2006 employee opinion survey, the decision was taken to review the look of the survey to align it more closely with the company brand. . .
Creating educational opportunities for all:
engaging young people not in education, employment or training
14 March 2007
Cath Jones, associate director at ORC International, will present at a national conference “Creating educational opportunities for all” on 26 April 2007. This timely event focuses on practical ways of supporting disadvantaged young people and brings together practitioners, policy-makers and others from the public, private and voluntary sectors. . .
UK employers are not alone in concerns over staff turnover...
2 February 2007
According to the 2006 edition of “Putting it in Perspective”, the annual report produced by employee research consultancy ORC International: employee perceptions of job security are declining across all sectors; only 53% of employees feel secure in their jobs. . .
Investigating the impact of crime upon local enterprise in Croydon
2 February 2007
Addressing crime concerns of residents, workers and visitors in the borough is key to creating an environment where consumers feel safe to shop, as well as to the success and growth local businesses can achieve. . .
Make your website stand out (but not for the wrong reasons)
1 February 2007
It's a buyers’ market. There is so much choice on the Internet that a badly designed website may lose customers: if visitors to your site can’t find what they’re looking for, they will simply move on to the next site. . .
Customer loyalty in the hotel industry - the success story of Premier Travel Inn
1 February 2007
In an increasingly competitive marketplace such as the leisure industry, today's consumers enjoy unprecedented choice. Therefore, retaining and increasing a satisfied and loyal customer base is the ultimate aim of any hospitality company. But how do companies go about it? . . .
One size doesn't fit all: designing response scales for your survey
1 February 2007
When developing a new survey, one of the tasks is to determine which response scale is most appropriate. These notes for market researchers describe some of the issues and criteria that should be taken into account when choosing the optimal response scale. . .
"Strong and prosperous communities" or the "third bus"?
31 January 2007
Ruth Kelly has brought forward the White Paper on local government reform.
Richard Abraham, Head of Social & Public Policy Research at ORC International, reviews this long-awaited paper, providing context for future research and consultation opportunities in local government. . .
Linking customer and resident opinion to your Performance Indicators (PIs)
31 January 2007
Linking customer and resident opinion to your Performance Indicators (PIs) can be a powerful and insightful investigation that will directly inform how and where a council might spend its money for greatest effect. Richard Abraham, Head of Social & Public Policy Research at ORC International, discusses effective ways of linking different datasets to provide real time management information with integrated performance and perception data. . .
Involving residents and stakeholders in the budget-setting decision-making process
30 January 2007
It is widely recognised within local government that the priorities of residents and stakeholders should play a key part in the budget-setting process. ORC International consistently adopts an inclusive approach to budget consultation, seeking to ensure that the views of all those affected are taken into account. . .
Fair pay view by not-for-profit employees
26 January 2007
Data drawn from employee research specialist ORC International’s database, ORC Perspectives, shows that the not-for-profit sector significantly outperforms the retail, finance, local government and central government sectors in relation to the question of whether employees feel their pay is fair, considering their duties and responsibilities. . .
Met Office - keeping a weather eye on key customers
18 January 2007
The Met Office is the world’s leading weather and climate change adviser to governments and the general public, and provides tailored services to a wide range of businesses. ORC International works closely with the Met Office to deliver detailed market knowledge focusing on the needs and opinions of this diverse group of customers and stakeholders. . .
ORC International awarded Catalist framework agreement
18 January 2007
ORC International is celebrating being awarded a Functional Consultancy Framework Agreement by OGCbuying.solutions (an executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), which is a part of HM Treasury) to supply marketing consultancy and market research services to central government and the wider public sector. . .
Private motorist survey identifies key drivers
17 January 2007
ORC International has helped the Driver, Vehicle and Operator (DVO) Group to build a strong base of knowledge about key drivers of satisfaction amongst private motorists across Great Britain. Spanning the past two years, the research programme enabled results to be tracked and compared over time, and identified where customer satisfaction levels had increased or decreased . . .
Driving change – the Mental Health Review Tribunal Secretariat
15 January 2007
ORC International has helped inform the Mental Health Review Tribunal Secretariat’s new initiatives, being developed and put in place to drive change throughout the organisation and raise satisfaction among external stakeholders and staff . . .
For further information, please contact Marketing on 020 7675 1151 or e-mail website@orc.co.uk
