Wordless Wednesday: 8 Simple Rules for Designing a Bad Website

Research with Rob: Skyping for Depth

The following is a post by Rob Beachy, Axiom's Market Research Expert. Research with Rob is a weekly series of posts about the role of social media and technology in market research.

Smart phones have revolutionized the way we keep in contact with one another, but through video chat services like Skype, smart phones have changed the landscape of research as well.

For instance, I discussed panels vs. focus groups last week, but sometimes group interaction is not critical to the research process. This is where depth interviews (one-on-one interviews) come in, since they provide a great deal of information.

Being in-person is often difficult and time-consuming, so video chat alleviates the expenses associated with one-on-one interviews. We're constantly developing the role of social media technologies like Skype in our market research. Social media tools make depth interviews easier and faster to implement, while avoiding the time and financial cost of traveling.

The keys to an effective Depth Interview are:

• Qualify and Probe – Can you elaborate, explain, etc
• Unbiased - Explain but never sell
• Counter Question Technique – How much should it cost, weigh, etc.
• Common basis for comparison
• Flexibility to change and manage time

Depth interviews should be a strategic source of market research in every company and everyone involved in product development from marketing to technology should be trained and involved.

It is often as easy as scripting your questions and calling.

More iPhone confessions

I thought I was going to buy an iPhone, I really was...but then I started thinking (bad idea). I'm already shelling out over $200 a month for a 'family plan,' not to mention a line I'm not even using because my oldest son bailed on us to get an iPhone on AT&T. So now I'm looking at the price of an iPhone4 (starting at $199) and a data plan for another $40 a month...

Enough already. I was lucky because our office just bought a new iPad2, which actually does everything I need it to do (send and receive emails, download cool apps, conduct web searches, watch movies, take videos) without dealing with the phone stuff. The fact that my daughter also needed money for her rent this month also had a lot to do with my decision.

I guess I 'm going to have to deal with my still-usable 'feature phone' for a few more months until the much rumored iPhone5 or a cheaper iPhone4 sibling appears.

No one said being a TechnoDad is easy. The good news is that when I do switch over to a smartphone, I can start to wean the family off of super-expensive text messaging!

Facebook Friday: My Thoughts on Google Plus 2 Months Later

By @AndreaBredow

I'll admit it...I was all caught up in the Google+ buzz when it first came out. I fell victim to the all-the-cool-kids-are-doing-it hype, and I wanted in! Once I got that golden ticket, I was in love. It seemed to be the perfect mix of Facebook and Twitter plus a little more all in one. I logged on each morning, invited friends, started hangouts and even huddled on my phone (with the 5 people at work that were also on Google+).

However, all of my conversations/engagement was still happening on Facebook and Twitter while Google+ was quiet (I'm talking ghost town quiet).

I was saving my Facebook profile for more personal info, things I wanted to share with family and friends that I actually knew. After a quick look through old posts, I realized there wasn't any thing really personal on my page, so I started adding "friends" that I have never met. Basically, I was taking the Google+ approach of an expanded network to Facebook. I would just be more aware of my posts.

Lo and behold, Facebook adds a nifty new privacy setting for each post. Yes, it takes a few extra steps, but if I ever have anything uber-personal to share, I can now just let my family know...or I could just pick up the phone and call them.

I'd love to take my Facebook activity to Google+ full time, I'm a sucker for hangouts (I'm even attempting to hold a 'Hangout Baby Shower' for my sister-in-law next month), but until the rest of the world heads my way, I'll continue hanging out alone....and posting on Facebook.

What do you think? Will Google+ ever compete with Facebook...or is it just one more thing to check?

Video Post: Say 'Hello' to Heello

Watch out Twitter, there's a new bird in town. In today's Daily Axiom, Dave Sniadak takes a look at the new social media site, Heello. A social networking tool that is uncannily similar to Twitter. Dave answers 'what is Heello?" and breaks down what you need to know about this addition to the social media scene.