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Cauldron's research can help you to meet your strategic targets. We produce bespoke analysis of the financial services industry: Cauldron Consults: primary research conducted among the most relevant individuals and groups.Market Intelligence: secondary research comprising comprehensive analysis of accessible information. Cauldron's in-depth understanding of UK financial services, together with our broad range of contacts, enables us to deliver clear-sighted analysis of industry activity, issues and influences. Every report is tailored to meet each client's specific needs. Our desk research and focused interviews are thorough, swift and professional, resulting in concise, qualitative reports and presentations that provide senior management with an objective and independent assessment of their market. As one of Cauldron's clients commented: |
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Thank you very much for the report – very useful indeed and packed full of insights. A really good summary of [IFAs'] views. I felt as though I was hearing them talk, but condensed into 20 minutes. |
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Cauldron Consults |
What we do
We undertake research directly with the relevant groups and individuals identified by our clients. Topics under scrutiny are many and varied as clients seek to improve their understanding of market perceptions: from high level strategy to more detailed product assessment; from competitor positioning to specific distributor requirements. This dispassionate overview is an essential component in all business cases.
Meaningful feedback
Independent research when undertaken by people recognised as 'market aware' has the potential to elicit more valuable and candid responses. Our clients agree and many commission us to carry out further research helping them to build up a much clearer overall picture of changes in an organisation's market profile.
How we do it
We work closely with clients to draw up a suitable questionnaire, making certain that the questions are wholly relevant, focused and unambiguous so that the responses will provide precisely the information that they are looking for.
Interviewees are selected by the client and when required drawn from Cauldron's database. Interviews may be carried out face-to-face, by telephone or, when greater breadth is required, by online questionnaire. The findings are then collated, analysed and a report compiled.
Case studies
Product launch: Prior to launching a new product a UK asset manager wanted to understand better its likely reception amongst certain intermediaries. Detailed telephone interviews were conducted with participants nominated by the client. The findings led to a number of refinements being made to the product before it was actually brought to market.
Investment trust distribution: A large global fund management company sought a detailed understanding of the views of managers of funds of funds and fund platforms on UK investment trust distribution.
Cauldron conducted a survey to identify the issues surrounding why investment trusts were so seldom used relative to their open-ended counterparts. A report examining the issues together with recommendations as to what action might be taken was used by the client to inform and guide their distribution strategy.
Performance measurement: A large financial services trade association wanted to conduct an independent survey of its membership in order better to understand its perceived effectiveness. Cauldron recommended that this also presented a way to undertake an internal review and upgrade its database.
Cauldron devised the questionnaire in conjunction with the client, drawing a response from 62% of members, accounting for 80% of the industry's business. Face-to-face interviews were also held with senior representatives of the 10 largest member firms. Cauldron provided a written report for the directors and made separate presentations to the board and staff to highlight the key findings.
Marketing communications: A large UK insurer sought to obtain IFA feedback on the likely effectiveness of proposed new marketing material. Cauldron carried out detailed analysis of comparable competitor literature and arranged IFA focus groups to test preferences. A report of the findings was compiled along with a synopsis and recommendations to senior management.
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Market Intelligence |
What we do
There is no shortage of financial market information. What is in short supply is market intelligence – the focused analysis of information to help drive effective management. Cauldron's research investigates market activity, the 'players' – providers, suppliers, distributors, policy makers, regulators and commentators. Our reports analyse the implications of industry issues on our clients, and their products and services.
How we do it
Working to a clearly-defined client brief, we draw together diverse information to provide specific and detailed reports. We sift through the wealth of data to provide your business with perceptive market intelligence.
Case studies
Objective performance appraisal: A high profile fund management business sought to address sweeping accusations of poor performance and excessive charges that tarred the entire UK fund business with an objective assessment of its own ability to add value through active management.
The company commissioned Cauldron to undertake analysis of the effectiveness of its fund management capabilities. Our detailed report enabled the client to fully understand the complexity of the issues, and implications impacting the credibility of its own strong performance case.
Social trends: A large global financial services player wanted to probe the vast array of information that was available in order to shed light on why people in the UK failed to invest.
Cauldron was hired to present a clearer perspective of UK society and its attitude to saving. We produced a commercially useful body of work that could provide the company with both practical and relevant insights into its market, taking in the current situation and future trends.