Ask Afrika represents SA at Global Market Research Conference (WIN/GIA)

The WIN/GIA (The Worldwide Independent Network/Gallup International Association) is a worldwide body representing market research and polling is made up of the 72 largest independent market research and polling firms in their respective country, with combined revenue of over US$600m and covering 96% of the world's market.

Rademeyer will be presenting tomorrow, 4 June, to the international panel of delegates and her company will get the opportunity to be part of the business regional development committee. Rademeyer quotes Alan Greenspan in her presentation, "In today's world, where ideas are increasingly displacing the physical in the production of economic value, competition for reputation becomes a significant driving force, propelling our economy forward."

Ask Afrika's inclusion in this network will give South Africa the opportunity to participate in a number of global surveys. Among these is the annual WIN-Gallup International End-of-Year survey, the latest of which revealed that, "35% of the world's population is hopeful about economic prospects in 2013, while 28% expect it to be worse; 29% expect no change from the previous year while 8% were unable to give an answer. Global economic gloom is subsiding worldwide and net global economic hope was 2% on New Year's Eve in 2010; it declined to -2% in 2011 but has risen notably to 7% in 2012.'

Many people refuse to be gloomy

"This positive change is mainly due to resurgence of hope in India and China. In North America it has also improved from -25% to -12%. Nevertheless, Western Europe has slightly declined from -46% a year ago to -48%. The global barometer of hope and happiness shows that a large number of people refuse to be gloomy despite their poor view on economic prospects for their nation," these were the results of the December 2012 WIN-Gallup International Association poll entitled "The Global Barometer of Hope and Happiness". The network has conducted this annual poll since 1977. The Annual End-of-Year survey is one of the longest standing traditions of the association and is the world's first and longest standing global survey of its kind.

The 66th annual WIN/GIA 2013 conference, which began yesterday, is focussed on "Global Challenges" and the theme of this year's conference is, "Understanding Clients, Maximising Sales." There will be 120 attendees, over 70 countries, 25 presentations, 15 international clients, 6 distinguished academic teachers, and 6 new branded solutions.

And the speakers include...

The WIN/GIA Conference speakers include the Mayor of Rome and representatives from: Google, L'Oreal, Peugeot, SAB Miller, Miele, Campari, Telefonica, Allianz, Aer Rianta International, Transparency International, WHO (World Health Organisation), IDO (International Development Opportunities), FNEGE (The National Foundation for Teaching Business Management), The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, York University, Schulich School of Business, and many more.

The conference is designed to capture all the various challenges in the market research industry: real-time information, DIY survey tools, social media platform, huge data base, online research communities, mobility research, survey gamification, new analytics knowledge, worldwide branded solutions, and limited market research budget. The delegates will address these challenges and share knowledge, branded solutions, and grow business together.

Jean-Marc Léger, President/CEO of President WIN/Gallup International commented, "Our combined effect is greater than the sum of our individualities and our demand for surveys in Southern Africa has been increasing. Our member in Switzerland, Matthias Kappeler from Isopublic, recommended Ask Africa."

Rademeyer commented, "The market research environment is fast moving and being an associate member of WIN/Gallup International will assist Ask Afrika in staying one-step ahead of the latest trends.

"Joining WIN/Gallup International is a privilege that will help us gain access to a world of opportunities in the market research and polling industry. It will assist us in helping our clients develop international businesses plans and will we will benefit from the sharing of knowledge and expertise with some of the best researchers in the world."

Ask Afrika will gain access to WIN/GIA's innovative products, syndicated studies, and new methods and will be able to sell these to their clients.