Associations and Directories
Associations
In general, associations of market researchers and analysts work to support their members and to develop professional standards. For entrepreneurs seeking professional services or who want a better understanding of research techniques, these various associations can be a useful place to start.
Marketing Research Association
The Marketing Research Association is the most extensive affiliation of market research professionals in the U.S. Much of this site's resources are available only to members; however, its Blue Book Research Services Directory is available to anyone. Also, this site contains a useful glossary of common market research terms. Members tend to emphasize more consumer research using traditional and typically costly survey and focus group techniques.
Association of Independent Information Professionals
A trade association for independent information professionals. While not specifically focused on market research, members do include market researchers. According to this site, "document retrieval and delivery, literature surveys, and data-gathering are still the mainstay of some information brokerages' work, other companies gather data, analyze it, and provide comprehensive, high-quality substantive reports." Find an Independent Information Professional allows potential clients to search membership.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
A non-profit organization partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE creates volunteer mentoring relationships between retired business professionals and current small business owners. A key word search identifies retired professionals with specific expertise (can be limited by geography) and re-directs users to a help request page. (If you're still wondering if you need to do market research, a SCORE quiz will help you rate how well you understand your product and business environment.)
Society of Competitive Information Professionals
A not-for-profit trade association for "competitive information professionals." Members engage in the "legal and ethical collection and analysis of information regarding the capabilities, vulnerabilities, and intentions of business competitors." For entrepreneurs seeking professional assistance in researching their competitive environment, this page includes a search of members by industry. Most association members have professional backgrounds in market research, strategic analysis, or science and technology.
The Market Research Society
As an international market research association based in the United Kingdom, this organization might best suit entrepreneurs needing a foreign-market research focus. The association does not provide an online directory of members, but it does provide some leads for internationally-focused research.
Special Libraries Association
A non-profit affiliation of independent researchers, similar to the Association of Independent Information Professionals. The Special Libraries Association membership can be searched online, narrowed by expertise and geographic location.
Small Business Institute
The mission of the Small Business Institute® is to strengthen the small business/entrepreneurship sector of the free enterprise system, provide entrepreneurship education, and support economic development and diversification through teaching, consulting, training, and field research with small businesses and local communities. Teaching, consulting, training, and field research are provided to small, entrepreneurial, and family-owned businesses, students, and local business communities.
California State University, Fullerton's Small Business Institute
The purpose of California State University, Fullerton's Small Business Institute (SBI) is to strengthen the small business sector of Orange County's free enterprise system through increasing the effectiveness and impact of small business teaching, consultation, and research at the University. The principal way the SBI does this is by offering affordable student consulting for smaller, fast growth businesses in Orange County. The students work like apprentices, closely supervised by a select group of experienced faculty experts and are graded on the practical results they achieve for the client. It is a win-win process where all those involved gain a better appreciation of what it takes to succeed in Orange County's challenging small business arena.
Directories
Some publishers or organizations produce directories of market research vendors you might find helpful. Having no affiliation with a professional association can be advantageous as they do not limit their lists to members.
Green Book
A prominent and fairly complete directory of market research vendors, published by AMA Communications Services.
Market Research Web
The Market Research Web provides directories of vendors and summaries of recently recent market research reports. This site also maintains lists of market research vendors operating internationally.
Competitive Intelligence Resource Index
A directory and portal focused on Web resources for competitive intelligence (CI). A sub-specialty of market assessment, CI refers specifically to analysis of competing firms and products.
Online Competitive Intelligence: Increase Your Profits Using Cyber-Intelligence, 2nd Edition
By the editor of the now out-of-print "The Burwell Directory of Information Brokers." Available from book vendors.