Barbara N.
Research Associate
Undergraduate Institution:
B.A., Economics
University of Virginia
Why Hanover
From my first interaction to final interview, Hanover impressed me with the scope of its client offerings as well as its emphasis on professional development. The wide variety of client types, methodologies, and in-house experts available to Hanover employees make it a rewarding environment for those who want to learn and improve.
Making an Impact:
I provide custom research to our Market Insight Center clients, primarily in the B2C space. I am somewhat of a “hybrid” researcher in that I work on both secondary reports and quantitative survey analyses. I particularly enjoy the wide variety of projects on which I have worked– in a matter of weeks, I may work on a competitive intelligence assessment, brand perception survey, and market profile analysis.
The flexibility of our research staff is not only beneficial to Hanover’s team, but allows us to address a variety of business questions. No two projects are the same, so researchers must learn to adapt their approach to suit the individual client’s needs.
Tips for New Recruits:
Consider the bigger picture. When I receive a new project, it can be tempting to immediately outline my approach and get underway. I often remind myself to slow down and make sure I fully understand not just what the client is asking, but why. When I am better informed about how a client plans to use certain information, it improves my research instincts and ultimately, the final report.