The
Entrepreneurs Panel - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.
What is a research panel?
Q. How is the Entrepreneurs Panel different?
Q. How do I join?
Q. What happens after I join?
Q. What happens to results of surveys?
Q. What's in it for me?
Q. Do I have to take the surveys?
Q. Is my data safe?
Q. Can I leave the Entrepreneurs Panel at any time?
Q. What is a research panel?
A. A panel is a group of people with a number of factors in common. The panel
is managed by an organisation that has particular interest in consulting the
views of the group. From time-to-time members of the panel are invited to participate
in surveys, typically through online questionnaires or by telephone interview,
or in other types of qualitative research, such as focus groups.
Q.
How is the Entrepreneurs Panel different?
A. The Entrepreneurs Panel membership represents a group of people with experience
of setting up or running their own businesses. It also contains people with
a plans or strong desire to build businesses because among these people are
tomorrow's captains of industry and it's important to understand what is driving
them now as well as what their barriers are. The Entrepreneurs Panel is especially
interested in the people behind the businesses, their experiences, behaviours
and attitudes.
Q.
How do I join?
A. To join the Entrepreneurs Panel you must complete the Application Form available
online at www.pfa-research.com/entrepreneurs-panel or download the form as a
PDF file to fill out and return by fax or post. The application form collects
your contact details and asks a number of questions about you, your plans, your
businesses, as well as other profile data about particular challenges facing
you at the moment.
Q.
What happens after I join?
A. From time to time you will be invited to participate in surveys. We will
expect to send you your first survey within just a few weeks of you joining,
though it is not our intention to swamp you with questionnaires (maybe 4 or
5 a year). We hope that you will find time to take part as much as possible,
however your participation in research will always be voluntary and we accept
that sometimes you will just be too busy or not available.
Q.
What happens to results of surveys?
A. Survey data will be stored in a database connected to members' records. Over
time we will expect to be able to chart trends in the data and gain valuable
insight into entrepreneurial activity. Data collected will analysed and reports
produced. Key results will be made available to members, through report downloads
and membership newsletters. Entrepreneurs Panel surveys will also serve as a
research omnibus, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to
buy their own space on questionnaires; in these cases the data from those questions
would be confidential to the sponsor.
Q.
What's in it for me?
Commercial success in delivering market intelligence will result in benefits
being passed back to the membership. There are opportunities for members to
place questions on panel surveys at special rates, giving you access to primary
market research solutions at a fraction of the cost of commissioning your own
surveys. There may also be opportunities for members to access other marketing
and related services at special discounted rates, simply by holding membership
of the Entrepreneurs Panel. As the Panel develops we expect to be able to bring
you a greater range of offers to benefit your business. And aside from these
types of incentives, you may also take comfort in the fact that you will be
contributing to an ongoing pool of knowledge that may benefit new generations
of entrepreneurs.
Q.
Do I have to take the surveys?
A. No, but we would encourage you to take part as much as possible. If you never
take the surveys then we reserve the right to retire you from the Panel, as
there would be no benefit to you remaining a member.
Q.
Is my data safe?
A. Absolutely. The personal data we hold about you on the Entrepreneurs Panel
will be used solely for the purpose of the research panel and for statistical
analysis and always in accordance with Data Protection Act 1998. Your contact
details and data we hold on you will not be passed on or sold to third parties.
There maybe occasions when offers or third parties sponsor survey questions;
in these situations your consent will always be required prior to any of your
personal details being released. The Entrepreneurs Panel operates with an "opt
in" policy. Please see our Privacy Policy Statement for more details.
Q.
Can I leave the Entrepreneurs Panel at any time?
A. Yes! If you don't like what you see you may leave the Panel at any time by
sending an email from your registered email address to unsubscribe@entrepreneurspanel.co.uk.
Of course, if you don't like what we're doing or are worried by anything you
see or hear then we would much prefer it if you discussed things with us first
before leaving the panel.
If you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact us
by email at info@entrepreneurspanel.co.uk
or telephone Robert Rush at PFA Research on 01208 262000.