Market Research
September 18, 2024
9 min

It's Time to Take Market Research Seriously

Author
Carter Fite

Let's face it: if you're running a small or mid-sized B2B tech company, you're probably not giving market research the attention it deserves. But here's the deal - over the next five years, companies that have raised between $5 million and $40 million are going to start jumping on the market research bandwagon. Why? Because it's a game-changer for reducing risks when making big decisions. Let's break it down.

Market Research Isn't Just for the Big Dogs Anymore

Remember when only the tech giants could afford fancy market research? Those days are over. Here's what's changed:

It's not going to break the bank anymore. Sure, the big consulting firms do great work, but their prices are out of this world for most companies under the $100M mark. Good news: you can now get solid research without selling your soul (or your entire budget).

Solo researchers with superpowers. These days, individual researchers armed with AI and automation tools can do the work of an entire team. It's like having a research department in your pocket, minus the hefty salaries.

The "Grow Fast and Break Things" Era is Over (Sorry, Not Sorry)

Remember when "move fast and break things" was the startup mantra? Well, times have changed. Companies can't afford to throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks anymore. Every decision counts, especially when it comes to your go-to-market strategy. And, on top of that, mistakes are costlier than ever: With venture capital becoming more selective, one wrong move could burn through your runway faster than you can say "pivot." Market research helps you make smarter bets.

The Market's Moving Faster Than Your Last Funding Round

Blink, and you might miss the next big shift in your industry:

  1. New competitors are popping up like whack-a-mole. And they're all gunning for your customers.
  2. Customer priorities are doing the cha-cha. What your customers wanted yesterday might not be what they need tomorrow. Keeping up with these changes is crucial.
  3. The "status quo" has a shorter shelf life than avocados. In this fast-paced world, you need to constantly challenge your assumptions or risk becoming irrelevant.

Why You Can't Afford to Ignore Market Research

Look, we get it. As a small or mid-sized B2B tech company, you've got a million things on your plate. But here's why market research needs to be one of them:

  1. It's your crystal ball. Make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
  2. Get more bang for your buck. Improve your go-to-market efficiency and make every dollar count.
  3. Stay ahead of the curve. Keep up with (or even anticipate) market changes and customer needs.
  4. Make your resources count. When you're not swimming in VC money, you need to make smart choices about where to invest.

Wrapping It Up

The bottom line? Market research isn't just for the big players anymore. It's a crucial tool for any B2B tech company that wants to survive and thrive in today's fast-paced market. By embracing market research, you're not just making better decisions – you're setting yourself up to be the company that disrupts the market, not the one that gets left behind.

So, are you ready to give market research the attention it deserves? Your future self (and your investors) will thank you. Reach out to our team to get started.

Written by
Carter Fite
Co-founder