Research pays off in tailor-made service to meet every need

Feb 20 2007 By The Journal

Dipsticks Research is a full service market research agency that specialises in communications. It provides bespoke solutions to the biggest media brands in the UK. Since Dipsticks operates all stages of a project in-house, its research is undertaken quickly and efficiently.

Dipsticks was formed to provide clients with "rapid research at reasonable rates" on the basis that you don't need to pay for London-style overheads.

Based in rural Northumberland, Dipsticks is on target to turn over £3m and employs 38 full-time staff and more than 700 part-time and project-based workers across the UK.

It has developed a reputation for working with clients to deliver bespoke research solutions, able to understand and deliver exactly what is needed.

Due to demand, Dipsticks has expanded and transferred its successful principals and innovative methods to a new market through the Public Knowledge brand.

Public Knowledge delivers solutions to the business, public and `third sector' agencies in the North-East.

It has expanded its portfolio and now offers additional primary and secondary research and evaluation options. Each of its projects combines rigorous design with regular interaction, keeping clients involved in all stages of the project.

For business

Dipsticks can work with you to build up your capacity to enter into partnerships with the public and third sectors, bringing you the expertise of an internationally-renowned market research company.

For public and third sector agencies

Dipsticks has a wide range of expertise, built from an international reputation and extensive experience of high-value, innovative research, evaluation and development.

The firm can assist you in marketing your activity to funders and to develop a funding and revenue generation strategy.

As resource becomes increasingly scarce and competitive, Dipsticks can help you celebrate your success and prove your value.

It can provide independent user surveys, project evaluation, capacity building, governance support and organisational development.

About the company

HERE are some key facts about Dipsticks Research Limited (DRL):

* DRL was founded in 1997 by Fiona and John Raglan and provides bespoke qualitative and quantitative market research for companies across all business sectors.

* DRL has an international client base which includes BBC, ITV, The Daily Telegraph, Yell, Sony and Centrica. The company is based in the heart of rural Northumberland.

* DRL has 38 full-time equivalent staff, plus 95 computer-aided telephone interviewing staff, 40 fieldwork supervisors and 600 fieldwork interviewers.

* DRL and Public Knowledge Limited use cutting- edge research technologies such as XDA hand-held computers; `X-Ray Spex' - an innovative research technique using lightweight, unobtrusive glasses with integrated video camera; SMS - text messaging as a research tool, ideal for reaching young people, and GPS - tracking respondents' movements over the day, exploring lifestyle and travel patterns.

* DRL holds the Investor in People accreditation, and is a member of the Media Research Group and the British Market Research Association.

* Fiona and John Raglan, founders of Dipsticks Research Ltd and Public Knowledge, were winners of North East Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the National Business Awards 2003.

* Fiona Raglan was winner of Best Rural Woman Entrepreneur at the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2003.