Other Studies:
-> Employee participation in voluntary retirement plans
-> Selecting a Global Custodian
-> Response to triggering life events
-> How exporters perceive risk and what they do about it
-> Using service improvements to change buyer behavior
-> Re-activating lapsed large-ticket leasing customers
-> Sales success among life insurance agents
-> Implementing e-commerce in large corporations

Behavioral Segmentation of Investment Advisors

Sophisticated analytical methods were used to identify the attitudes and behaviours that distinguish top investment advisors from their colleagues.  The study was based on an amalgamation of several internal databases relating to thousands of advisors.  Initial analysis was guided by suggestions from an executive brainstorming session and then advanced further as initial findings pointed to new directions.  The study also identified the best methods for supporting top advisors, as well as information needed to identify “rising stars”.

Cost and Performance Disclosure  

On behalf of a major securities regulator, we are investigating consumer understanding of disclosure information, as well as their preferences for getting information.  Preferences include usefulness of information for decision-making, timeliness, convenience, and delivery methods.

Online Learning and Key Events: Age 20-34 Study

These studies assess how 20-34 year olds learn in an online environment, especially how they learn what they need to know about handling key life events like a new job, getting married or becoming a parent. The studies assess the most critical questions people need answered when they are managing key life events, as well as the strategies and sources of information they use to get answers.  The role of psychographics in shaping behaviour helps to understand what drives the strategies people use. Link to Summary.

Online Learning and Key Events: Age 35+ Study


These studies assess how people age 35 and over learn about financial matters, especially those related to key life events. The studies assess the most critical questions people need answered when they are managing key life events, as well as the strategies and sources of information they use to get answers.  The role of psychographics in shaping behaviour helps to understand what drives the strategies people use. Link to Summary.

Helping Advisors to Help Top Clients

Using methods akin to a therapeutic interview, a select group of top mutual fund clients were interviewed about their advisor relationships.  The aim was learning what our client could do to help good advisors improve their sales and service.  The in-depth personal discussions identified what key investors wanted from their advisors but didn’t get, as well as identifying the ‘secrets’ they were reluctant to share with their advisors.  The selection of clients for the interview was based on an extensive analysis of unitholders and their buying patterns based on data drawn from several unitholder databases.

Building a path to better decision-making

This study focused on the information needs of Canadians under 35 as they grapple with key life events.  Using a combination of online focus groups, personal interviews and internet survey, we investigated the best way to reach “the right people at the right time with the right information”.

Losing Finance Proposals - Causes & Cures

The key question is “Can lost financing proposals be reduced without lowering rates”. Through a mix of personal and telephone interviews combined with sophisticated analysis, we identified a small number of quality improvements yielding gains of more than $200 million in revenue.

Information & Trust

A study of 500 consumers highlights the need for multi-channel learning about financial matters. While many can be reached by the Internet, newspapers and magazines are still a solid source of financial information for the average consumer. Above all though, people remain the best way of getting financial messages to most consumers. Regardless of the method, finding information that can be trusted remains a key issue.

What is the Value of Wealth Management Credentials?

What is the value of professional designations in the securities industry -- to employers, to designation holders and most of all to their clients? In an era where consumers are increasingly demanding accreditation, what gives them a sense of comfort about the advisor that serves them? These questions and others are the focus of this work which looks at drivers of value for professional designations and how well several wealth management designations deliver this value. Ways of enhancing the value of wealth management designations are explored. Link to Overview of Findings.

Financing Transportation-for-Hire in the US

This study evaluates current methods of financing transportation-for-hire in the US, as seen from the viewpoint of service providers, equipment owners, and equipment vendors. We assess buyer motivation and decision-making, as well as the competitive position of major providers. Recommendations for desirable new services are provided.

Price & Value in Money Purchase Plans

A look at market sensitivity to price increases for defined contribution plans focused on both price elasticity and the value of special services provided by life insurers. Current costs and the buyers’ understanding of what they are buying helped us identify pricing strategies for existing and potential buyers.

Listed Companies Say More Disclosure Will Help Them

Institutional investors, pension funds and listed companies themselves applauded the introduction of new rules to improve uniformity of disclosure requirements for publicly-traded companies. Institutional investors in our recent study (commissioned by the TSX) indicated that changes in disclosure will encourage them to invest more in smaller issuers, notwithstanding the limitations of small cap investing by large investors. Both listed companies and institutional investors believe that new disclosure rules will improve public perceptions of transparency and consistency in their market, while improving issuer access to capital.