Market researcher Tony Pearce has launched a new Tauranga-based company, CustomerInsightNZ.com, based on a concept initially developed by Mr Pearce in Britain during the economic downturn.
"We learned to do things smarter and cheaper, while maintaining quality," said Mr Pearce, who relocated to New Zealand in 2011 and worked asa research director for firms in Hamilton and Tauranga before deciding to set up his own company.
"I could see an increasing need for affordable research across the Bay, in particular for start-up companies and small and medium-sized enterprises," he said.
CustomerInsightNZ.com offers a wide range of market research services including online, telephone and face-to-face surveys, and provides business managers with insights into their customers and markets.
Mr Pearce said that under the terms of a trade restriction agreement with his previous employer, he had been obliged to take a six-month break from working in the sector locally, but, "as a courtesy", had waited for almost a year before launching his new business last month.
Meanwhile, he had continued to work for old clients in Britain, including ongoing research on the impact of a major sustainable transport initiative for Cumbria Tourism in The Lake District. The programme is funded by the UK Department for Transport and is being delivered by Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Tourism and the Lake District National Park Authority.
"Tony's work has helped us review the effectiveness of our marketing in influencing visitor perceptions and behaviour, and tailor our campaign year-on-year in order to maximise its impact," said Gemma Proctor, visitor travel marketing executive at Cumbria Tourism.
"With the introduction of Skype and better business communication methods we saw no reason to discontinue our relationship with Tony once he relocated permanently to New Zealand."
