In the business world, industries are often very keen on new initiatives until they're asked to support them financially. Happily, the market research industry does not fit this mould.
Vusi Makhathini, CEO of Mictert Marketing Research, has always championed the cause of the fieldworker. He was the original driving force behind the formation of SAMRA's Fieldworkers Forum, of which he is chairperson, and his company is now the lead co-ordinator of a new initiative. Called the 1st Annual SAMRA Fieldwork Conference, this event is the first of its kind in South Africa, and is scheduled for September 17, 2003, at the Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown.
The 1st Annual SAMRA Fieldwork Conference seeks to put on the table the problems of the fieldwork industry, both as faced by the fieldworker, and as experienced by the research company and client.
By the end of the conference, the 120 delegates from SAMRA corporate member companies, will identify a shortlist of key points, which SAMRA's Fieldwork Forum will put into action.
The market research industry has responded phenomenally, with a number of major companies putting their financial clout behind this new initiative.
"We would like to thank the eight sponsors who have been the first to get behind this important event, and show their support of the fieldworking industry," says Makhathini. The sponsors to date are:
"Unless we give fieldworkers a voice, they will never attain the professional status critical to making this an accountable industry," says Makhathini.
"Fieldworkers have never before had a platform from which to voice their concerns and problems, and identify the areas where they need to improve on their service to the market research industry. By supporting the 1st Annual SAMRA Fieldwork Conference, the market research industry has shown that it is committed to giving those who form the backbone of this business, the acknowledgement they deserve."
