Why you should choose IMS Research
Fiona Thomson – Research Director
BA Geography Completed CIM Diploma in Marketing 2008 Joined 2004
It’s hard to describe an average day at IMS, because there’s no such thing. So far today I've been interviewed by BBC News 24, I’ve written to the British Embassy about a visa application for a client attending our conference, and that’s on top of getting stuck into a new report I’m starting. What I like is that each project is our own: I’ve worked on live projects, virtually from day one. We’re in charge of the report from the initial idea through to the final publication, and even after that. My role includes everything from primary research to sales, report writing to statistical forecasting and presenting to press releases. I also get to do a fair bit of travel from a day in Denmark to visit a customer to a week in Taiwan to attend a conference.
Mark Watson – Senior Market Research Analyst
Bsc Management Science Joined 2005,
After finishing my degree in business at Swansea University in 2002 I worked at Warwick University for about 3 years whilst I tried to find a job in an area that would be interesting, rewarding and give me an opportunity to travel with work. My degree had been focused on a fairly wide range of topics including law, strategic marketing, industrial relations and economics but I wasn’t sure which area would make a good career path.
I hadn’t really considered a market research role until I came across an advert for IMS Research in the local Coventry Evening Telegraph newspaper. The rest, as they say, is history! I have now been at IMS for over three years working as part of the industrial automation research group. The work is extremely varied with analysts responsible for a project from beginning to end, which includes aspects of meeting component suppliers (both UK based and abroad), analysing primary and secondary research sources and finally negotiating sales of the published report. The chance to frequently travel abroad is also great for breaking up the office based work!
The growing number of analysts now living (and “socialising”) in Northampton also means that out of office hours there is also a good social side to IMS.
Jan Zhang – Market Research Analyst
Bachelor Degree - Industrial Design Joined 2006
After working for a leading automotive company for about 3 years, I decided to try a smaller employer with whom I hoped to get more involved in company business as well as international business. Just at that time, I came across the advert from IMS Research, which seemed to be the kind of company I was looking for - small, but on the rise with healthy growth.
The world became a much smaller place to me after I joined IMS Research. The market research studies themselves help to build a more complete and world economic and industrial picture in my mind. Telephone conferences or face-to-face interviews with managers from various multinational companies bring in the latest information on technology and the market, whilst international trade shows are always fun and exciting. A half year stay in the UK whilst doing my world report not only helped me to do the project better, but also provided me with the chance to learn more about the country. There are many different aspects to the job, making the work more exciting.
IMS started with a culture of having to succeed in order to survive, so everybody here understands excellence and execution. Even though the company is getting bigger and bigger, this culture stays the same. This leads to a high level of information sharing, efficiency in decision making and continuous entrepreneurial encouragement. I've learned a lot at IMS and really enjoy the energy and the environment of excellence that I have found here.
Tom Hackenberg – Market Research Analyst
BSEE University of Texas at Austin in 2006 Joined 2006
I returned to school for my degree after raising a family which gave me a slightly different perspective on what to look for from an employer after graduation. Having worked for a range of companies from small local business' through global mega corporations in the past, I recognized the importance of the work environment and company vision. While a competitive salary is important, you have to be able to believe in the services the company provides, value the company business model and ethics, and most importantly, like the people you work with and work for.
My salary continues to grow. The coworkers here share a camaraderie that you just can't find in a cube farm, and the company sponsors regular social events to build even more cohesiveness. I started out with more vacation time in the first year than I had attained after many years of service with any prior company. All in all, a very easy place to work.
As a college graduate, don't get burned out in a high pressure, unrewarding job just because you think that's the kind of company your degree has led you to. Consider IMS Research and enjoy the rewards of a career you can grow with, believe in and enjoy your work.
A day in the life of a Market Analyst at IMS Research
It’s amazing what you can do in 6 months. Market Analyst, Alastair Hayfield, discusses some of the things you can expect to do whilst researching a typical IMS Research report.
Over 50 face-to-face meetings with company CEOs, heads of marketing and industry experts. Contact with Sony, Panasonic, Bosch, Siemens, JVC and many others.
Taking ownership of a 6 month project to become an ‘industry expert’ in that technology area.
A week long company visit to New York and New Jersey attending a series of highly focused company meetings to discuss the video surveillance industry.
A week long company visit to attend the security industry’s largest tradeshow in Las Vegas. This was a chance to network, meet new companies and sell IMS and our research.
My data, analysis and picture have featured in industry publications and I am regularly quoted in the surveillance press.
A presentation on the video surveillance industry at an international conference in Milan.
Using my analytical and technical skills to understand a complex and changing industry.
Using these same skills to put together thousands of pieces of information to form a detailed and accurate report.
Regular telephone and email contact with clients to answer questions about our reports and to keep them appraised of new research areas.
Marketing of my report (and the security group) by email, face to face meetings and telephone.