For years, people have been predicting the death of focus groups. I may have even penned such an article. The truth, however, is more like Mark Twain's quote, "news of my death has been greatly exaggerated." Focus groups are still the go-to qualitative methodology of choice for marketers and researchers.

But, then along comes technology and the world changes. Mobile ethnography is one of those changes. The ownership levels and capabilities of today's smart phones has presented us with a powerful tool called mobile ethnography. I started doing consumer-generated ethnographies almost ten years ago. We would send research participants small digital video cameras, together with a project workbook that provided instructions about how and what we wanted them to capture. The core advantage of this methodology was that we see what the consumers sees and simultaneously hear what they are thinking. It was this "presence" that turned out to be the key advantage of this approach versus in-person ethnographies and focus groups. We are still using this methodology, but now, we are using smart phone apps as the tool.

The great thing about smart phones is the consumer interface. They are pretty easy and intuitive for consumers to use thanks to Apple's philosophy being applied to this appliance. With our app, we can send out activities for consumers to do, calling for photos, videos, notes and tags. This combination of capabilities provides a robust, flexible pallet to design our research to address a plethora of learning objectives, some of which are just not feasible with focus groups due to their "time and place" constraints.

The biggest advantage I have experienced, however, is the ability to have an ongoing dialogue with the consumer. When the consumer posts a submission, say like the one shown above, I can follow-up with a comment or question to build on my understanding, adding a creative, spontaneous opportunity to generate insights. Here again, this is a big advantage versus focus groups, where my ability to follow up and probe is, at best, constrained. You know how it goes, pass a note to the moderator, they ask the question and you are done. And, of course, you end up asking the question to the whole room.

So, to answer my own question of whether mobile ethnography will replace focus groups, the answer is that there is a time and a place for both, but I am finding that, given the value and flexibility of mobile ethnographies, the time and place for focus groups is becoming less frequent. What are your thoughts?



  

Whenever you are following a "trend" you can be absolutely certain that a "counter-trend" trend also exists.  What's more important is that often these "counter-trends" are the most profitable places to play for marketers. Trend/Counter-Trend is one of the principles of our Insightful Thinking methodology that has been one of most useful and insight producing exercises we teach our clients.

The reason this approach is so effective and profitable is that everybody sees the same trend reports, and in the rush to stay relevant, marketers are quick to adopt these trends as strategies for their innovation and brand positioning. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Trying to steer your business to where the "ball is going" is worthy advice. So why don't we see more brands following the "counter-trends" on purpose?
Well it takes some guts and it takes a higher level of curiosity to look at the "trend" and say to yourself that their might be another point of view that could be interesting to my business. That's why it is so interesting when we see an example of a brand following this approach, as discussed in the article from Fusion.net authored by Rob Wile _. 

Rob reports on the success that Hungry Man frozen meals is having with an approach that is decidedly "counter-trend" with higher calorie, more hunger satiating comfort foods. The real story here is that Pinnacle Foods, the owner of the Hungry Man brand has committed itself to understanding and delivering on the needs of a definable and large segment of consumers who are looking for a convenient way to satisfy their hunger at the end of long day of hard work. They (Pinnacle Foods) were not blinded by the trend for healthier eating.  Can you imagine if Hungry Man tried to market themselves as healthier? It's kind of ridiculous isn't it?

But, of course, that is precisely what some brands have tried to do. Can you say McDonald's? No guts, no glory!

#insightfulthinking


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The article referenced in the link below offers "five ways to design the customer into your company." Its a good read.

http://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2015/27190/stop-undermining-customer-insights-five-ways-to-design-the-customer-into-your-company?adref=nlt030315