For this class please always avoid using companies that are gigantic for examples. So no Wal Mart, Apple, samsung, amazon, microsoft, etc.

1. Choose a smaller local company short paragraph:Name of the company and what they do- no history. How does this company remain profitable or what is their competitive advantage They offer a unique experience is not an advantage that anyone understands if you dont say what it means. It should mean they do something no one else does or do something(s) better than everyone, so say what that is.

2. Write one paragraph explaining ONE Research Problem. Example: We do not have a good understanding of our position? Brainstorm multiple possible research questions. Then narrow it down to one research question. For example: Are we the leader in reliability? Or are we the leader in Customer Service response time? Or Do we have relatively high Customer Satisfaction? Our customers appreciate the combination of price and service.

3. What exactly will you need to measure in order to answer the question? How will you measure it (give examples)? For example; the reliability question would require either asking for rankings of you and your competitor regarding reliability OR multiple questions asking, about how reliable you are then how reliable a competitor or two is.

When writing a report or assignment please Never say,

I feel that.....

It would help them......

Could be...

Might be.....

truly is .....

need to find out....

personally....

I think

Your paper should make statements that are true, not might or could or you feel possibly could be. If you say something that is not known to be true then that would be what your research is about, or you will at least need to provide some support for it. Research is not an opinion piece. (Although I may ask for an opinion once in a while)

4. At the end of the paper list these and PUT the Problem, Research Question, and Measures in BOLD (these are examples) :

Problem: What is our position? (we don't know our position in the industry)

RQ: Are we the leader in reliability? (this can be stated as a statement if you wish- we are the leader in reliability.)

Metrics or Measures: Customer attitudes toward our reliability and toward our competitors reliability?

(4 is enough, 6 max) Put Possible questions in italics: Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements.

Our Company produces reliable equipment? Strongly Agree..............Strongly Disagree

Our Competitor produces reliable equipment? Strongly Agree..............Strongly Disagree

5. A short explanation of how the responses would be able to answer your Research Question. Don't say "by analyzing ......" tell me exactly what you would do. In the example above if most people agree that both us and competitor produce reliable equipment then it's not an advantage but we're are doing ok in that area. If a competitor has significantly more people who say they are reliable than we do then we need to make operations changes or test to see if the equipment really is more reliable.