Results of 2008 SCIP DC Members Survey

We’re happy to announce that 40 respondents answered the 2008 member survey of the SCIP Greater Washington chapter membership survey.  This gives us a firm idea of what the members’ preferences are as we plan for 2009 and beyond.
 
Those with survey experience among us will recognize that the results are potentially colored by self-selecting responses. Survey methodology issues aside, this gives us a more up-to-date view of our membership than we’ve had in some time. Please feel free to comment if you disagree with any of the assumptions or have alternative insight or analysis to share.

Here are the questions, answers and assessment of what it all means:

1. What is your primary role in your organization? 
(n=40)

Full-time competitive intelligence: 37.5%

Marketing/Market Research: 20%

Consulting: 7.5%

Strategic Planning: 5%

Business Development/M&A: 5%

R&D: 2.5%

IT/Information Systems: 2.5%

Finance/Investments: 2.5%

Other: 7%

What it means: we have a diverse membership, and the plurality of our membership is dedicated to CI.  However, dedicated CI professionals are not the majority and it will be important to look for programs with value and appeal to our members in other practices.

2. How long have you been in the Competitive Intelligence field? 

(n=39)

More than 5 years: 48.7%

3 – 5 years: 23.1%

1 – 2 years: 12.8%

6 months – 1 year: 7.7%

1 – 6 months: 7.7%

What it means: we have a pretty experienced membership that is likely to be beyond programs about the basics of CI.  Several of our programs each year should be geared towards experienced CI professionals with considerable established skills.

3. How long have you been a member of SCIP?

(n=40)

3 – 5 years: 25%

Less than 6 months: 25%

1 – 2 years: 15%

6 months – 1 year: 15%

More than 5 years: 5%

Not a member: 15%

What it means: Overall we’ve done a good job of converting chapter attendees to SCIP members.

4. Has SCIP membership been beneficial in your business or career? 

(n=39)

Somewhat: 61.5%

Most definitely: 15.4%

Not at all: 12.8%

Does not apply: 10/3%

What it means: This is a wake-up call both for the chapter and for SCIP.  Clearly we have work to do to deliver the kind of value that will encourage members to continue to renew their membership.  As a follow up to this response I would like to ask a question to those members who responded “Somewhat” or “Not at all” as to what they feel is missing and what SCIP and the chapter can do to deliver value to you in your business and career?  Feel free to leave comments on this blog or e-mail me at august@augustjackson.net if you wish to share your thoughts.  I will ask in advance to please be as specific as you can and to make your feedback actionable.

5. Overall, how satisfied are you with the chapter? 

(n=40)

Neutral: 37.5%

Satisfied: 22.5%

Somewhat Satisfied: 12.5%

Somewhat Dissatisfied: 12.5%

Dissatisfied: 10%

Very Satisfied: 5%

What it means: The chapter has some work to do to improve the membership’s level of satisfaction with the chapter.  Another follow-up question would be what about the chapter does or does not satisfy you?  Feel free to leave comments here or e-mail me.  Specificity and actionability or always a plus in your suggestions.  If you’re a member of another local professional organization with which you are more satisfied what are they doing that you would liek to see us do?  We can’t promise to please everyone but will commit to make every effort to find win-win solutions and compromises that raise the overall satisfaction of the chapter.

6. Which of the following events did you attend?

(n=40)

None: 57.5%

May 2008: Global Hedge Fund Methods for Competitive Intelligence: 17.5%

September 2008: Chapter Business Meeting: 15%

July 2008: Competitive Due Diligence: 15%

December 2007: Holiday Networking Party

January 2008: New Ways of Knowing: 12.5%

What it means: This answer sheds some light on the previous question, possibly.  Members are not attending meetings either because the programs are not compelling or the logistics of attending are too challenging.  This is one of the reasons we have undertaken this survey and are going to plan to find ways to address those issues.  This blog is one step in that direction and to give members a platform for interaction on-line.  What are some programs you would like to see us hold?  Are there on-line or other ways you would like to interact with your fellow chapter members?

7. Overall, how would you rate the quality of each of these programs and activities? 

(n=40)

Does Not Apply: 57.5%

Good: 20%

Fair: 12.5%

Very Good: 5%

Excellent: 5%

What it means: The chapter programs obviously are in need of improvement.  Let us know what you would like to see us do differently.

8. Which of the following topics interest you, such that you would pay to register and attend a program covering these topics? 

(n=38)

Analytical Methods and Frameworks: 73.7%

Primary Collection Techniques: 52.6%

CI in the Government Market: 50%

Special Interest Groups (industry-specific): 50%

Secondary Collection Techniques: 39.5%

CI for Marketing: 36.8%

Workshops: 31.6%

Networking Social Events: 28.9%

Personal Career Tips and Career Development: 26.3%

Joint programming with other Organizations: 23.7%

CI for Product Development: 18.4%

CI for Human Resource Management: 10.5%

Other: 2.6% 

What it means: This is fantastic feedback and will be taken to heart as we plan the months ahead.  Look for new programs on analytical frameworks and primary techniques.  Let us know your favorites.

9. What day of the week do you prefer for meetings and/or program events?

(n=37)

Ranked in order of preference:

1. Tuesday

2. Wednesday

3. Thursday

4. Monday

5. Friday

What it means: We’ll aim our programs for Tuesday. Wednesday or Thursday.  While most of our events have been held on Thursdays we will migrate our day of choice to Tuesday in most instances, and Wednesday as our second choice.  If we can help it at all we won’t hold any events on Monday or Friday.

10. What time of day would you prefer to attend program events?

(n=38)

Ranked in order of preference:

1. Evening (6:00 PM)

2. Late Afternoon (4:00 PM)

3. Lunchtime (Noon)

4. Breakfast (8:00 AM)

What it means: Point taken, we probably won’t be having any breakfast meetings.  Going forward more of our programs will be held more consistently at a 6:00 PM start time.

11. What is your preferred location for attending a chapter meeting? 

(n=37)

Ranked in order of preference:

1. Arlington

2. Downtown DC

3. Tysons Corner

4. Dulles

5. Bethesda

6. Alexandria

7. Friendship Heights

8. College Park

Other suggestions included Reston, Richmond and Baltimore.

What it means: The overall preference still seems to be for Arlington, and many respondents specifically said that they wanted to have a meeting place near a Metro station.  For better or worse we will continue to hold our meetings in Arlington when we can and will endeavor to hold meetings in locations that have available parking and nearby Metro.  We’re always on the lookout for a company-provided meeting space that fits that criteria.

12. What is your preferred mode of transportation to attend SCIP Greater Washington Chapter events?

(n=39)

Car: 56.4%

Metro: 43.6%

What it means: This justifies our preference for locations with parking and Metro.

13. What suggestions do you have for improvement in either programs or member support for the Greater Washington Chapter?

• Hold events only in locations within an easy/safe walk from a Metro Station and hold events in the evening.
• Repetitive session so that more members could have the option to attend the topic missed.
• Stop having everything in Virginia.
• I have not yet taken advantage of offerings being new to SCIP. I would prefer one day or half day sessions greatly over multiple day sessions.
• Knowledgeable speakers who offer something practical that can be applied are best received.
• Continue to solicit input such as this survey.
• Small group roundtables within a given industry or function.
• Unless you’re scheduling an all day workshop, have all your meetings in the evening.
• Establish committees that members could get involved in.
• Reduce the cost of the SCIP events.

14. Have the SCIP publications helped you in your career? 

(n=39)

Somewhat: 53.8%

Most Definitely: 23.1%

Not at All: 10.3%

Does Not Apply: 12.8%

What it means: Overall the magazine and publications are received more favorably than the chapter, or so it seems.  You may see us stealing program ideas from magazine articles in the future.  If you see an article that really appeals to you let us know and we can see if there is a way to build a program around the topic, have the author present to us, etc.

You can read the survey results yourself here: greater-dc-survey-summary-december-2008.