Your Own Research Initiative

You may have heard about IRM Research Initiative’s first study with Homestore.com that will answer such questions as where should builders focus their marketing dollars, and how does traditional marketing reach consumers versus online marketing?

As you await the survey results and look forward to the IBS seminar, you can submit your own proposal for a study in 2006. Maybe it’s an idea that you’ve always wanted to study but didn’t have the resources, or some other cutting-edge idea that will help other sales and marketing professionals better deal with and understand the challenges of today’s busy marketplace.

The Research Initiative stimulates idea sharing and research, with the goal of building a knowledge community. “Through this new research initiative, IRM wants to increase its ability to foresee industry changes and develop sales and marketing strategies long before members encounter subsequent professional challenges,” said Jean Ewell, MIRM, president of the Institute of Residential Marketing.

Proposals are due March 1, so organize your idea and prepare it for submission. Visit the Research Initiative Web Site for the FAQ, guidelines, applications, and more.

Do you want to hear the results of the 2005 Research Initiative in person? Then attend the educational session: IRM Research Project of the Year - Builder and Buyer Online Behavior Revealed at the International Builders' Show. On January 13, from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., hear Myers Barnes, CMP; Charles Graham, MIRM; Daniel Levitan, MIRM; and Allan Merrill of Homestore.com discuss:

• Usage and effectiveness of online vs. offline marketing
• Home buyer behavior during the home search process
• How to optimize your marketing dollars