It has been wonderful to hear from so many of our colleagues and clients over the past few weeks who’ve been in touch to discuss what we’re doing to provide a safe environment for their first projects with us since the easing of lockdown.
The dialogue, which we’ve been so keen to have, has helped us to ensure that we’re opening with the full confidence of those travelling to our venues, with every possible measure in place to ensure that your research is conducted successfully and, more importantly, safely.
Some of the measure that are in place are outlined below, but for a more comprehensive guide – along with pictures of our studios with appropriate distancing measures – please read our Covid Secure Working Practices Policy.
Additionally we’re also providing visual guides which highlight key considerations for participants and for clients.
Some of the measures we’ve put into place to support your research:
For more information on how we’re mitigating the risks of Coronavirus or to discuss a new project you are working on, please contact us by email or by calling the office 0161 242 7858
The Market Research Society has released guidance on best practice procedures on conducting Face to Face research in Viewing Facilities and research venues.
This guidance has been published to complement the existing information shared by both the British government and the World Health Organisation who have made a number of recommendations to mitigate the risks posed by Coronavirus.
Speaking about the importance of viewing facilities the CEO of the MRS, Jane Frost CBE, had this to say, “The reopening of viewing facilities and other venues is a welcome development, particularly for those businesses that have been unable to provide any services since the start of lockdown in March. Face-to-face research is a crucial part of our sector and the insight it yields will be essential in helping our economy recover and understanding the impact of the crisis on current business and society to build for the future.”
“As we move into this next stage in lifting lockdown, it is critical that research practitioners continue to prioritise the safety of their participants, staff, contractors and clients, so that they can grow and retain public confidence in the work they do. Given the fast pace of change, we will be continually reviewing the official Government advice and updating these guidelines as needed.”
To read the full guidance for Viewing Facilities and Research Venues please click here.
The MRS is one of the world’s leading market research organisations with members in over 60 countries. They support the industry with range of different membership options with access to training, professional qualifications and industry awards. And with members ranging from freelance researchers, through to established agencies, end-client insight teams and all of those who work within the market research supply chain, they are an invaluable resource for anyone either working in market research or those looking to conduct research.
For more information on how Aspect are enacting all of the necessary measures to mitigate the risk of Coronavirus in our Manchester and Stockport venues, please contact a member of our team who will be more than happy to help. Reach us by email or by calling 0161 242 7858.
We’re delighted to announce that Aspect will be opening both facilities, in Manchester and in Stockport, from the 6th of July 2020 but the Aspect team are on hand as of this week to take booking, address and queries you might have and respond to any requests that you feel will be important to the success of your project.
We also wanted to let you know what the steps we’re taking to provide a safe environment for our clients, staff and the many participants who will be visiting us in the coming months,
All of this information will be displayed throughout both of our premises, ensuring the all visitors are continually reminded of what they need to do to protect themselves and others.
Our teams at both of our facilities have been working hard since the beginning of the lock-down to ensure that we are fully prepared to deal with any of the usual research requests we receive, whilst maintaining only the safest environment for you, your colleagues and anyone else who is arriving at our venues.
Alternatively you can download our full COVID Secure Working Practices policy which provides further detail on the risk assessments we’ve carried out and how we’ve adapted our space to align with the best practice advise from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation.
If you still have further questions then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Aspect. We will be more than happen to explain the actions we’ve taken or collaborate with you if your require something out of the ordinary for your project.
Contact our team directly at enquiries@aspectviewingfacilities.com or by calling us on 0161 242 7858.
At Aspect our principal concern is for the welfare of our clients, our staff and the members of the public who attend market research events at our venues. Since the announcement of the first global cases of Coronavirus we have been carefully listening to the advice given by the World Health Organisation, the UK Government and their Chief Medical Advisors.
Based on the current threat assessment posed by the virus within the UK the advice has been to contain the spread by isolating those affected and reinforcing basic principles of hygiene in all public spaces.
At Aspect we have acted upon this advice by asking anyone who enters our building to wash their hands upon arrival. We have also provided liquid hand sanitisers throughout our venues. In addition to this, we are also speaking to clients, and anyone who is recruiting participants into Aspect, to ensure that participants who have either personally travelled to any of the countries affected by the virus, or have been in contact with someone who has, to be excluded from the research and advised to self-isolate. We will also be advising anyone who participates in research at Aspect how they can minimise risks through social distancing – not shaking hands and maintaining an approximate distance of 1 metre.
This is unfortunately not something which will be easily resolved in the immediate future and not something which can be solved by any person alone. We are committed to maintaining continual communication about this issue and will be working with all of our partners within the research community to ensure that, wherever possible, we are mitigating the risks by following the advice of experts.
In the event that the advice from the government or the health authorities changes we will be ready with contingency plans to help you continue your research with the minimum disruption.
More information on for the public and people working within market research can be found on the MRS website here.
UPDATED: 11/03/2020 16:00
We’re delighted to announce that for the fourth year running Aspect have been named as finalists in the Best Viewing Facility category at the MRS Operations Awards.
We previously won the award in 2017 with the judges words highlighting Aspect’s “clear commitment to improving the viewing facility experience” and our use of technology to make research more accessible. We’re hoping for a similar success in 2019 and will be attending the prestigious event on the 26th of September at The Curtain in Shoreditch.
The event, which is the only one of its kind in the market research industry, celebrates the outstanding contributions made by market research suppliers – including fieldwork, recruitment, viewing and other supporting companies – who are all so important in the execution and delivery of research projects.
In addition to our Best Viewing Facility nomination, we’ll also be there to cheer on our friends at Acumen who’ve been named as finalists in another 3 categories for their data collection capabilities in two different methodologies and for Best Training & Development.
While we’re thrilled with our nomination, we also realise that none of this would be possible without the ongoing support of many clients who’ve been part of Aspect’s success story – often for many years. Without that we wouldn’t be able to do the work which has previously led to our award wins which is why we’re especially grateful to be where we are now.
Aspect have been named as finalists in the Best Viewing Facility category at the MRS Operations Awards for the the third year in a row and we couldn’t be happier!
This year’s nod comes on the back of winning in the same category at last year’s ceremony and we’re certainly hoping that lightning will strike twice and let us take home the trophy again this year.
The Oppies, as they are known in the industry, are an opportunity for many of the unsung heroes of market research to get recognition for the work that they do with categories tailored specifically to them. In addition to an award for the Best Viewing Facility there are also awards for Best Support Services and Best Data Collection – with the latter category being an award which our sister company Acumen Fieldwork have been shortlisted for.
The winners will be announced at an award ceremony at London’s trendy Beach Blanket Babylon where the team from Aspect will be waiting with baited breath. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
