Operations Awards

The Operations Awards, or Oppies as they are affectionately known, are the only awards that recognise the vast amount of operations talent in the research sector.

Penny Steele, Chair of the judges, says: “The restrictions resulting from Covid-19 have impacted those working at the operations end of the sector particularly hard, so we were impressed by the number of entries that still came in – both from those wanting to celebrate the brilliant projects they had been involved in pre-pandemic and from those wanting to recognise the sterling work their people were doing in incredibly difficult circumstances. The innovation and creativity in evidence are a testament to those working in research operations and an encouraging sign for how we will continue to adapt after this crisis.”

Best Data Collection - Face-to-Face

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Winner - Face Facts Research

The judges said: “Face Facts were commissioned with the huge task of using ‘automated observation’  technology, wearing camera glasses, to recruit 1000 supermarket customers to record their entire customer shopping experience across one store. Such was the success of their fieldwork that the results enabled the client to format better store layout, helped them realise better ROI for their marketing budgets and captured essential metrics on each category across the whole store portfolio – a resounding success. Their submission was backed up by glowing client testimonials - congratulations.”

Finalists

• Acumen
• BEAM Fieldwork
• Walnut Unlimited

Best Data Collection - Online

Winner – Savanta & Brandwatch

The judges said; “Savanta and Brandwatch conducted an 87 country online study which was designed to capture both emotional and rational responses. The study looked at the influence that countries have on other countries due to their approach to social needs such as education. Both the management of this study and the high profile reporting of results impressed the judges making them the clear winner.”

Highly Commended - Kantar

Finalists

• Cobalt Sky
• Natives
• Omnisis

Best Data Collection  - Telephone

Sponsored by

Winner – RONIN International

The judges said: “RONIN International demonstrated great expertise in successfully delivering this complex and high profile global study comprising 1000 interviews across 71 countries in 20 different languages. RONIN utilised highly effective multi-mode recruitment and desk research techniques to access the hard to reach audiences required and implemented bespoke project training to equip the multi-lingual team with all the necessary tools to maximise response rates and deliver quality data for their client. The excellent supporting statements from the end client team highlighted the success of the approach and the rigorous and credible expert views obtained.”

Finalists

• Global Operations, Kynetec
• Prevision Research
• QRS Market Research
• Walnut Unlimited

Best Data Solution

Winner - mTab

The judges said: “mTab successfully developed an intuitive data marketplace for organisations who need data-driven decisions and strategies. The breadth of the solution is impressive with over 30,000 global datasets and the ability to create dynamic dashboards which has significant benefits allowing users to focus on testing hypotheses and exploring evidence and insights. The success of the approach was demonstrated by some good metrics and strong client testimonials. An innovative and elegant data solution which is a worthy award winner.”

Finalists

• Confirmit
• Colgate Palmolive & Market Logic
• Savanta

Best Support Services

Sponsored by

Winner – EMPOWER Translate

The judges said: “EMPOWER was set an ‘impossible’ task by a client to reduce by 50% the time-to-market for the translation of multi-market medical surveys. The solution developed by EMPOWER met and exceeded the original client challenge as demonstrated by strong metrics. The solution is also scalable and can be applied to other clients, particularly those seeking localised solutions, evidenced by the strong range of supportive client testimonials. All round an excellent entry which addressed fully the award criteria.”

Finalists

• Kadence international
• Language Insight
• Research Opinions

Best Training & Development

Winner - RONIN International

The judges said: “RONIN International clearly demonstrate their wholehearted commitment to interviewer training and development on their annual study amongst an extremely vulnerable audience. With MRS and IQCS quality guidelines underpinning the whole process, the impressive training program combined qual and quant techniques in order to equip the niche language speakers required with the competence, confidence and engagement skills necessary to deliver this highly complex and culturally sensitive research program. The team should be proud of this well-deserved win.”

Finalist

• Perspective Research

Best Viewing Facility

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Winner - i-View Studios

The judges said: “i-view have truly exceeded all the criteria the judges were looking for this year. They have demonstrated exceptional and consistent client servicing and participant experience, which was endorsed by three fabulous client testimonials. Within the VFA they are the only facility to have scored 5/5 in every compliance category. Their huge investment in the latest and most sophisticated technology to complement this sector is outstanding - one client has described them a ‘phenomenal’. Congratulations to the worthy winners for 2020.”

Finalists

• Aspect Viewing Facilities
• Home Sweet Home
• Perspective Research – Holborn Focus
• Taylor McKenzie – Glasgow View

Operational Excellence

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Winner – IFF Research

The judges said: “This impressive entry detailed how IFF Research had migrated their telephone interviewing operation to a home-working model. At the peak it included 1,100 interviewers with 250 working concurrently to deliver some of the largest surveys in the UK. The transition came with challenges which were overcome to help them deliver record performance in 2019/20. Congratulations and really well done.”

Highly Commended – RONIN International

Finalists

• B2B International
• Cobalt Sky
• QRS Market Research Ltd