Saturday, September 30, 2006
Research
Years ago, to earn a few extra bucks, I participated in a number of focus groups. This is where we would get paid to test out a product for a company prior to it hitting the market. One day, we all got four packs of "low tar" cigarettes.Due to the price of smokes, we were all very happy. Unfortunately, the cigarettes were terrible. The "revolutionary" new filter had little holes around it so that every puff only gave you half smoke and half air. The next week I returned to the group and told the researcher
that the cigarettes were great...after I wrapped tape around the filter (covering the holes), she was pissed. It later turned out that everyone liked the cigarettes. But also EVERYONE had modified the filter. Some cut the filter in half, some taped it up
(my method)and a few broke it off completely.It didn't matter though, it still made it to market...as did the mouthwash that half the guys drank as a cocktail.
that the cigarettes were great...after I wrapped tape around the filter (covering the holes), she was pissed. It later turned out that everyone liked the cigarettes. But also EVERYONE had modified the filter. Some cut the filter in half, some taped it up
(my method)and a few broke it off completely.It didn't matter though, it still made it to market...as did the mouthwash that half the guys drank as a cocktail.
