Marketing research for Ice pad and Outline the process for gathering Paper

Marketing for Ice pad and Outline the process for gathering data for and explain how you would analyze the inf - Research Paper Example Yet again, market research can help management decide how best to deliver their products to the target market. With many manufacturers producing and marketing a variety of ice pads in the U.S. it is important for a new entrant in the market such as Ice Pads Limited to establish what kind of products it needs to offer to win a significant part of the market. Ice Pads Limited was established in 2011 and has been a market leader in the supply of ice pads in China. The company sees a great potential in the United States, and particularly in New York City where winter sports are commonly played. The company targets individuals of either gender who engage in winter sports such as skating and ice hockey aged between 16 and 60. The sports are played by people across all socio-economic backgrounds and who have different lifestyles. Although these games are popularly played during the winter season when there is a lot of snow, there are places in New York that have ice courses for playing thro ughout the year. The major competitors in the New York market include Paragon Sports, New York Golf Center, and Jack Rabbit, all of which offer various ice pads used for sporting purposes. Problem Definition Ice Pads Limited needs to establish the kind of ice pads to offer to the New York market, the best price for the products, and the factors that people consider when buying ice pads for winter sport activities. The organization is a new entrant in the market and needs to offer unique and well priced products to win a significant part of the market within its first year of operations. Objectives 1. To establish what customers like or dislike about the products that are offered in the market currently 2. To establish what needs to be improved in the products offered in the market currently to make them better for customers 3. To establish the factors that consumers consider when buying ice pads 4. To establish the appropriate price for ice pads in the New York market Research Metho ds Data for market research can be drawn from primary or secondary sources according to Wight (2013). During the market research, primary as well as secondary data will be collected. Secondary data will be drawn from the Internet and brochures produced by competitors in the market. Primary data will be collected through a field survey. During the survey, a sample of 50 respondents randomly drawn from New York city will be issued with questionnaires containing about 10 closed ended questions. Given that the products for which the market research is conducted are mainly bought and used by individuals across all age groups, the sample frame will include individuals of either gender, living in New York City aged between 16 and 60 years interested in and actively engaging in winter sports. In this respect, the samples will include individuals who have at least taken part in one winter sport at one time or another in their life. The samples will be drawn from different streets in New York City. The researchers will draw the samples by randomly approaching individuals between the age of 16 and 60 going about their businesses. The potential respondents will be asked to spare a few minutes of their time and introduced to the research. More specifically, the researcher will introduce themselves before briefing the potential respondent about the study; its nature and the objectives of the

Biofuel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biofuel - Essay Example Biofuels have existed since the 1970s. Before 2010, every international commercial biofuels plant was either a biodiesel or a first generation ethanol. The United States of America has been termed to be the world’s largest producer of ethanol. Back in 2009, the USA produced approximately 10.5 billion gallons of ethanol using corn. Brazil comes in second producing eight billion gallons of ethanol using sugarcane. It is strange to see that in a world where there is scarcity of food, there is a massive use of water resources and land in growing crops for the production biofuels. According to the United Nations, the up-and-coming biofuels industry may risk the rising of food prices. In line with the UN-Energy report: Sustainable Energy: a Frame Work for Decision Makers, it states that biofuels production has already driven up maize prices between the year 2006 and 2007. The report also states that biofuels possibly would have a dual consequence on food supplies. Alternatively, suc h crops could avert water, land as well as other resources away from the production of food. The report quotes that unless policies are formed and endorsed to guard threatened lands, push bioenergy development in sustainable direction in general and secure communally acceptable land use, the social and environmental damage could in some cases overshadow the benefits. A key argument exists on the scope to which policies of biofuels have contributed to high volatility and agricultural prices levels. A current study meant for the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development illustrates that market driven growth of ethanol in United States’ increased corn prices by 21% in 2009,compared to the prices that would prevailing if the production of ethanol had been frozen in 2004. Lester R. Brown stated that by converting the whole grain harvest of the Americans would only generate 16% of its auto fuel wants, energy markets are efficiently positioned in opposition with foo d markets for limited arable land, consequential in a higher food price. A large number of R&D efforts are at present being positioned to the production of 2nd generation biofuels from waste, crop residues and non food crops. Second generation biofuels may possibly merge farming for fuel and food and in addition electricity could be produced simultaneously, this could be beneficial to third world countries as well as the rural areas in the developing countries (Desilva, 4). Strengths Renewability: Biofuels are easy to renew compared to fossil fuels which take relatively long time. This is because new crops are planted and their waste material is gathered. Cost: Biofuels are significantly less expensive compared to gasoline. This is true since increased worldwide demand for oil dwindles oil supplies hence biofuels becoming the only option. Security: Since biofuels