My father made me do it.

It is amazing how much of an effect our parents have on our lives.  Oftentimes in focus groups I hear statements such as: “I use this detergent because that is what my mother always used.”  “My grandmother had the best skin and this moisturizer was part of her...

Procrastination

Prior to this week I was on the road for nine days; all for one project. This of course means I have a lot of writing to do. Many people I know who do what I do for a living dread the report writing process, with good reason. We have to take multiple hours of...

Hotel Bar Hookups

What a week! Yesterday I ended an eight day project involving a series of focus groups, in home interviews, and shop-a-longs in Cincinnati and Charlotte. My brain is spent, so much so that I cannot even begin the report writing process until I get to chill out a bit....

The South Won’t Rise Again

I am in Charlotte this week for some focus groups and in home interviews / shop a longs. I am looking hard for this Southern Hospitality thing I have heard about, but thus far it has been elusive. I checked into my hotel yesterday morning which apparently had a...

It’s In the Bible

I ran three focus groups yesterday in Cincinnati and the topic of discussion was refrigerated heat and serve entrees; you know, the things you stick in the microwave, heat up for a few minutes, and call dinner. I started the session asking people what they thought of...