Bumble Bee Foods Case Study: 3 Effective Ways Agile Research Helps Identify Winning Ideas Early On

In our recent webinar with Bumble Bee Foods, we explored how agile market research equips researchers with vital consumer insights throughout multiple stages of the innovation process. No matter if it’s a quantitative or qualitative approach, agile research methodologies have been proven to provide valuable quick reads to propel your research strategies forward. Let’s recap the 3 main ways agile research helps identify winning ideas early on:

1. Identify the Right Toolset and Partner

It’s important to take a step back and evaluate what exactly you need from a research supplier. If they do not meet all your criteria, moving forward with a supplier who’s not the right fit could cause you headaches instead of actually helping you. For example, a vendor could provide the most robust qualitative offering in the market, but if you find yourself frequently in need of quantitative numbers for upper management needs, this probably wouldn’t be a good fit.

It’s also important to focus on choosing a partner who has a reputable background and a track record with good customer service. With research timelines constantly in shrinking mode, it’s important to partner with someone who knows what they’re doing, someone who will provide quality results — the first time. Bumble Bee Foods chose an agile market research partner due to the speed, quality, and affordability they offered. These three attributes allowed them to use agile research at multiple stages of their innovation process.

2. Be Prepared for Your Planned Research

Timelines could not be more important in the research realm right now. Everyone needs quality results — fast — and most cannot afford for their projects or timelines to be stalled. Most brands have a standard process, many including stage gates, where timelines are set and certain aspects of projects or concepts need to be developed. Making sure your research vendor can execute within these phases or stage gates is critical for success.

Bumble Bee Foods has a very defined, yet flexible stage-gate process, making agile market research an ideal partner.

They not only need a quick partner, but someone who can change and adjust quickly to align with their business needs and changing consumer landscape. This flexibility allows them to iterate and ensure they are moving forward with the best ideas.

3. Allow Flexibility for the Unplanned Research

Whether it’s a last-minute executive question or a product that had poor in-market performance, unplanned research is becoming more and more important. Our recent survey, “State of Agile Market Research,” found 55% of unplanned research comes from a senior leadership question or idea.

And agile market research is designed to help teams adjust their strategies and plans quickly, especially during these times when additional research is needed to help answer unexpected questions or test last-minute ideas. The ability to be in field immediately can allow your team to identify any potential red flags, as well as provide you with the confidence you need in moving forward.

Bumble Bee Foods and GutCheck are clear advocates of agile market research. It’s ability to fit within planned research strategies, no matter if it’s weeks or months, and unplanned research needs by being able to connect with consumers the same day the need was identified, gives brands the ability to gain a quality, quick consumer read.

To learn more about how Bumble Bee Foods used agile market research in both their qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, watch our complimentary webinar today!