MRS Field Conference tackles issues facing recruitment and retention

Date: 30 June 2003

What are the current issues affecting recruitment practices? How do you motivate a remote workforce? How to reduce staff turnover and how best to communicate with a remote field force? These are just ssome of the topical issues which will be explored at The Market Research Society's (MRS) annual Field Conference.

Entitled 'Recruitment, Retention and Maintenance of a Field Force,' the two-day conference will be held at Keele University on 7 and 8 July 2003. During the first day, delegates will explore different aspects of recruitment and retention through a mix of formal presentations and group discussions. On the second day, delegates will be brought up-to-date with the latest developments in maintaining a field force and will have the opportunity to participate in an information session run by the Criminal Records Bureau, which will inform delegates how to check interviewer police records.

Amongst the high profile speakers who will address the Conference are Yvette Leonard, Head of Field - Nunwood Consulting and Iain Humphrey, Deputy Field Director - Millward Brown. Ann Ager, HR Manager - Churchill, will also compare how different industries tackle similar issues relating to workforce retention and motivation.

Yvette Leonard, Head of Field at Nunwood Consulting, commented, "Recruiting and retaining a skilled, reliable and trustworthy field force is a key issue for market researchers. This event will explore many of the issues currently affecting market researchers, such as staff turnover, motivation and retention, as well as accuracy of respondents' views and opinions. It is the ideal forum for delegates to discuss the very latest practices, to discover what works well and what doesn't and also to explore how best to overcome problems."

Debrah Harding, Director, Standards and Policy at the MRS, concluded by noting, "Interest in this conference has been extremely high which, we believe, is a reflection on the topicality of the theme, as well as the high calibre of the speakers. All of the speakers are highly experienced and knowledgeable to provide valuable insight into the latest initiatives in this area. We look forward to an interesting and informative conference."

The MRS Field Conference will run from 11am to 5pm on 7 July and from 9am - 2pm on 8 July 2003 at Keele University. At the conclusion of day one, there will be a dinner to allow the audience an opportunity to network with colleagues.

For more information or to book your place, please contact Jo Brock at the MRS on
020 7566 1874 or visit the MRS website at www.mrs.org.uk/fieldconference

Note for editors

The Market Research Society is the world's largest international membership organisation for professional researchers and others involved or interested in market, social or opinion research.
For more details on The MRS and its activities, please visit www.mrs.org.uk

Back to Press Releases

What's New - Membership - Company Partner Service - Members' Area - Code/Guidelines - Qualifications - Training - Awards
Events - Networking - Publications - Media Info - Market Research - Search - Site Map - A-Z Directory - Contact Us - Home