Voice an opinion - The driving forces of outsourcing

[Turbo-G]

Hi all, I would just like to introduce myself, I am a final year computing student at the University of Derby, currently reading for my BSc Information Systems degree. I am currently in the process of the primary research stage of my dissertation, which is a study into the driving forces of outsourcing IT from an SME's perspective, larger companies also welcome.

I have therefore created an online survey, which is the main backbone of the study. I am hoping for a snowball effect to take place in order to get a wide selection of respondants, targeting those who have outsourced, or are thinking about outsourcing in the future.

The survey is accessed via a URL and a simple 3 letter password. I am new here, so apoligies for my ignorance, but is it possible for me post a link to the survey? I notice due to forum rules users are only allowed to post web links after there 15th post to elliminate potential spamming.

Alternatively if I cannot post the link, could I please ask for those who are willing to assist my study and complete the short survey to please notify me of their interest and I shall forward the link to you.

Kind Regards,

Grant Archer

[Brian Turner]

You've failed the first rule of business - sell benefits to users, not benefits to yourself.

Try another approach.

[Turbo-G]

In the original message I wanted to post, I state that the finished paper is available upon request if respondants would like to view the results of this study, this will be essentially up to date research that is available free for the user.

[Brian Turner]

It's okay, I'm half playing with you, but half making a serious point - you're presuming a "snowball" of very busy people will suddenly want to volunteer their valuable time for free.

If you really want to develop a snowball on this it could help to provide a carrot - and incentive - that suggests that it really is people taking the time the effort to fill in a survey.

Hope that helps.

[Turbo-G]

Many thanks Brian, I totally understand your point, and I am extremely apreciative of those who have taken the time to complete the survey so far.

I dont think I worded the first post in this thread very well, I had been using a formal invitation which explained the whole exercise a little better, offering respondents the oppurtunity to obtain a copy of the completed research paper FREE upon request.

Do you have any other suggestions into methods in which would help me distribute this study further? Thus far I have sent it out to a short list of contacts, and also posted on a small number of forums.

Regards,

Grant

[Brian Turner]

Yes, but that's part of the point - what value does this FREE research paper offer?

The paper isn't the carrot - suggesting it could contain useful info that could save people money is a possible carrot.

Of course, to sell that carrot, you're going to have to sell the benefits in terms of the value this paper will deliver - let's be truthful here, what benefit can this paper give to people receiving it?