Following up on our recent conversation, I wish to respond on a couple of issues.

Transcription

1 Mr. Richard Michaud City Administrator Ms. Stephanie Weaver Director of Human Resources Dear Stephanie and Rick, Following up on our recent conversation, I wish to respond on a couple of issues. 1. Citizen Survey Benchmarking We are preparing to field this in the mid-march timeframe. We should talk about any proposed changes in the next week or so. 2. Business Survey It is proposed to conduct a business survey sometime after July 1 st with all businesses in the City of Saco. It is estimated that Saco has somewhere in the region of businesses (larger than one-person businesses). Methodology We propose to conduct a comprehensive mail survey of all City businesses to evaluate opinions on a series of issues. These include: Views on relationships with the City of Saco Perceptions of the current business atmosphere in the City Views on local issues impacting business Awareness, use and satisfaction with City services Measuring the degree expectations are met Ways in which Saco can attract new businesses Barriers to business growth Perceptions of the City s efforts to support business Satisfaction with City codes and code enforcement Opinions and use of specific communication channels Impressions of local taxes Chamber membership, awareness and satisfaction How to address slow business growth in the City Demographics We believe that a mail survey using: 1. Strong, up-front communications from the City and Chamber requesting participation 2. Reminder postcards (minimum one and possibly two reminders) 3. If the response level from mailings is not adequate, telephone call reminders will be made to City businesses by Pan Atlantic SMS Group staff so that we achieve a significant response level.

2 Tasks to be performed by Pan Atlantic SMS Group: Work with the City of Saco, Chamber of Commerce, Saco Spirit, etc. to develop a comprehensive database of all City businesses to be used for mailing purposes. Develop and submit a draft survey instrument to the City of Saco for review Print surveys and attach letter of invitation from the City of Saco Mail surveys with a postage-paid response envelope Conduct second reminder mailing a week after receipt of surveys by businesses Conduct 3 rd reminder mailing if necessary Conduct telephone call reminders to businesses as needed Receive all returned surveys at Pan Atlantic SMS Group Code responses to open-ended questions Input all data Develop syntax Develop statistical cross-tabulations Analyze data and write comprehensive report with strategic recommendations to the City of Saco Present report to Saco/businesses (2 reports) Deliverables Comprehensive report and data analysis including analysis of all findings, an executive summary and strategic recommendations Detailed statistical cross-tabulations Strategic planning Cost Our all inclusive cost to conduct this survey, including all expenses for out of pocket costs such as printing, mailing costs, data processing costs, etc. is: $14,500

3 Qualifications Introduction Pan Atlantic SMS Group is a leading New England based market research and consulting firm specializing in public policy and economic research. Pan Atlantic SMS Group is a professional firm of widely experienced consultants, which has been meeting clients needs since The company operates from a head office in Portland, Maine, which serves the U.S. market, and an affiliated office in Toronto, Canada. Pan Atlantic SMS Group has a professional staff of 15 full-time widely experienced people. The company s approach is practical and totally results-oriented. Pan Atlantic SMS Group aims to add significant value to each client assignment. For 26 years, Pan Atlantic SMS Group has met the information and development needs of a variety of clients including the City of Saco and many other municipalities. Since the company s inception, it has become widely recognized as providing accurate, reliable, and actionable market research data and consulting services for its clients. A distinguishing characteristic of our firm is that we provide strategic consulting services in addition to market research. Secondly, our principal project staff brings a high level of real world experience to bear in conducting project work for our clients. Staff As Maine s largest independent market research and consulting firm we employ a top class team of seasoned consultants and analysts who have significant experience acquired working in organizations such as Wright Express, Inc., Bloomingdales, Inc., Arthur Andersen, Enterprise Ireland, CMP, Harvard Pilgrim, the Veterans Administration, IDEXX, Inc., etc. This team is highly proficient in all aspects of market research and consulting and operates in a state of the art technological environment.

4 Our Services Branding Research Segmentation Research and Analysis Customer Satisfaction Research Communications Evaluation Studies Demographic and Psychographic Studies Advertising Awareness Studies Advertising Expenditure Impact Studies Organization Membership Studies Competitive Analysis Communications Performance Analysis Opinion Monitoring and Trend Analysis Shared-Cost, Multi-Client Projects Economic Impact Analysis

5 Methodologies used Qualitative Methods - Focus Groups - One On One Strategic Research - Pulse Groups - Strategic Planning Quantitative Methods - Telephone Surveys - Mail Surveys - Online Surveys - Intercepts Secondary Research - Analysis of Published Data and Information Sources Advanced Analysis - Factor Analysis - Regression / Multiple Regression - Perceptual Mapping - Cluster Analysis - Conjoint Analysis - Quadrant Analysis - Decision Tree Analysis (CHAID) - Linear Regression - Predictive Discriminate Analysis (PDA) - Logistical Regression Facilities Based in the heart of Portland s Old Port area, Pan Atlantic SMS Group maintains a modern 5,000 sq. ft. research and consulting facility, with all the requisite computer equipment, demographic databases, telephone banks, and professional research staff necessary to complete all aspects of most research projects. Our offices house a Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing system (CATI) in our interview center. Pan Atlantic SMS Group also has a state of the art focus group facility at our Old Port offices. Pan Atlantic SMS Group is also the publisher of the highly regarded Pan Atlantic SMS Group Maine Omnibus Poll - a statewide public opinion survey of published quarterly since September 1996.

6 II. Benefits of Using Pan Atlantic SMS Group to Conduct This Project Pan Atlantic SMS Group is highly experienced and regarded in the public policy arena for its successful survey and strategy development work. Our approach is to add significant value to each assignment and work very cooperatively with the client throughout the project execution. III. Project Team The Pan Atlantic SMS Group team has a very strong track record on research and strategic planning, developed over the past 25 years. The project staff members (for this project) are all highly experienced in this type of project. The principal staff to be assigned are: Patrick O. Murphy Kristina Record Amy Radke President and Project Director Principal Consultant Senior Market Research Analyst Several other staff members will also work on this project work. Resumes of the principal key project staff follow.

7 PATRICK O. MURPHY President Pan Atlantic SMS Group Project Director Business Experience 1985-Present - Founder and President of Pan Atlantic SMS Group, a successful national market research and strategic planning company with offices in Portland, Maine and an associate office in Toronto, Canada Held senior management and consulting positions with the Irish Trade Board/Enterprise Ireland in New York City, Dublin and Tehran Consultant, Arthur Andersen and Company, Dublin, Ireland. Pertinent Career Details Recognized expert and speaker on market research and strategic planning issues. Has lived and worked extensively in the U.S. and international markets and has conducted project work in many countries worldwide, including countries in Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Has lectured at Boston University, Massachusetts on marketing research and strategic planning matters. Guest lecturer on marketing research issues at the University of Southern Maine on several occasions. Education BA (Hons) Economics and Political Science - Trinity College, Dublin University, Masters in Economics - Trinity College, Dublin University, Various professional training courses on market research, strategic planning and management consulting. Arthur Andersen Training Institute (London and Paris) intensive training programs an accounting and financial auditing. Business and Civic Affiliations Appointed Board member of the National Advisory Council of the Small Business Administration April, 1994 Appointed by SBA Director Erskine Bowles

8 Reappointed in 1996,1998 and 2000 by Administrators, Philip Lader and Aida Alvarez. Member Maine SBA Advisory Council since Appointed to be a member of the Maine Economic Growth Council (State economic strategy group) Chairman, Maine Delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business (Washington, D.C. - June, 1995.) Member of Maine Blue Ribbon on the impact of healthcare costs on small business, 1998-nominated by Senate President Mark Lawrence. Advisory board member-mainebiz magazine. Selected as the recipient of the year 2000 McGillicuddy Award for Excellence in Business by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Member of Governor John Baldacci s transition team (2002). Treasurer and Board Member, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) since 2007 Maine Civic Activities Former Chairman and Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Maine College of Art ( ) Trustee, Portland Symphony Orchestra ( ) Advisory Trustee, World Affairs Council of Maine Trustee, Portland Public Library ( ) President Western Promenade Neighborhood Association Portland, (1999 current) Other Frequently quoted in the print and electronic media on market research and public opinion issues.

9 KRISTINA RECORD Consultant Pan Atlantic SMS Group Kristina Record is a Consultant at Pan Atlantic SMS Group. She is currently responsible for executing and managing a wide range of market research projects. Kristina has more than a decade of market research, strategic planning and project management experience, and brings to the firm strong market research, analytical, and statistical skills. Her current and previous work experience is outlined below Current Pan Atlantic SMS Group, Portland, ME - Consultant At Pan Atlantic SMS, Kristina is responsible for: Development of survey methodologies and instruments Sampling plan development Statistical methodologies and analysis Interface with clients on research issues Staff training Kristina has executed a hundreds of research projects since joining Pan Atlantic SMS Group eleven years ago. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Dedham, MA Research Associate ( ) Was part of five-person implementation team which developed First Return, Inc., a subsidiary of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care which offers workers compensation insurance and services. Supported all aspects of implementation including:

10 Marketing: Conducted in-depth analysis of markets and competitors, including products, services, and marketing efforts. Coordinated and reported on the findings of focus groups. Operations/Strategic Planning: Mapped business processes for all operational aspects of the business. Gathered, analyzed, and reported on competitor information. Sociology Department, Bates College, Lewiston, ME Teaching Assistant/Tutor ( ) Tutored students in year-long, advanced-level Statistical Research and Methods course. Specific concentration in teaching the theory behind and actual use of SPSS statistical software. Explained various sampling and statistical techniques, such as descriptive, probability, correlation, and regression. Sociology Department, Bates College, Lewiston, ME Statistical Researcher ( ) As part of year-long Honor s thesis: Conducted a major survey pertaining to HIV-related behaviors and attitudes among college students. Computer Skills: SPSS, WordPerfect, MS Suite, MS Project, Tactician Mapping Software, Visio. Education: Bates College, Lewiston, ME BA in Sociology, June, 1995 Graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude Senior Thesis, High Honors Dean s List

11 AMY RADKE Senior Market Research Analyst Pan Atlantic SMS Group WORK EXPERIENCE June 2010 to Present: Pan Atlantic SMS Group: Research Analyst, Portland, ME Manages both quantitative and qualitative research projects As part of a team effort, designs and implements survey instruments based on client objectives Ensures accurate data cleansing and development of cross tabulation tables Completes advanced statistical analysis Draft and proof reports that cohesively integrate all collected data to provide a holistic analysis of the project objectives August 2009 to June 2010: Columbia University: Student Researcher, New York, New York Collaborated with principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to successfully complete research projects Designed multidisciplinary research schemes and revise protocols in response to results Presented relevant scientific literature within a greater context to peers and superiors Projects involved elucidating the molecular basis of schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. June 2007 to July 2009: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Research Technician, Boston, Massachusetts Executed planned experiments and analyzed data within the relevant scientific context to correctly interpret results Conducted both qualitative and quantitative research methods to identify innovative approaches to experiment design

12 Presented and defended experimental protocols and results to peers in monthly laboratory meetings Managed and maintained the laboratory by ordering supplies/equipment and scheduling daily donors Restructured the laboratory layout to maximize efficiency and streamline daily work Trained and managed a second research technician Published original research on notch signaling in eosinophils in a highly regarded peer review journal August 2006 to June 2007 Bates College, Resident Coordinator, Lewiston, Maine Lived and worked with 60 first year students to ensure a smooth transition into collegiate life Advised students about college policy, academic planning, organizational and social opportunities offered at Bates Collaborated with the dean of student s office, college security, Bates health center, physical plant and the residence custodial staff to improve first year student safety, social, academic and living environments Managed and strategized with four junior advisors to solve immediate problems during bi-monthly meetings Planned dormitory wide educational and social events throughout the year EDUCATION Columbia University, New York, New York Master of Science in Pharmacology, October 2010 Cumulative GPA: 3.62 Bates College, Lewiston, Maine Bachelor of Science, June 2007 Major in Biology; Cumulative GPA: 3.56 HONORS Nominated for Sigma Xi membership, Bates College Dean s List, Bates College (Fall 2003-June 2007) COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint, SPSS, PRIZM, STATview and Adobe Photoshop.

13 PAN ATLANTIC SMS GROUP HIGHLY ACCURATE WIDELY EXPERIENCED STRATEGICALLY FOCUSED CLIENT CENTERED STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY 5 Milk Street Portland, Maine [207]

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15 The Council of Governments Serving the Municipalities of Southwestern Maine Acton Alfred Arundel Baldwin Berwick Biddeford Brownfield Buxton Cornish Dayton Denmark Eliot Fryeburg Hiram Hollis Kennebunk Kennebunkport Kittery Lebanon Limerick Limington Lovell Lyman Newfield North Berwick Ogunquit Old Orchard Beach Parsonsfield Porter Saco Sanford Shapleigh South Berwick Stoneham Stow Sweden Waterboro Wells York March 13, 2012 Mr. Peter Morelli Development Director, City of Saco Dear Peter, Please accept this as a letter of support for the efforts of the City of Saco to conduct a business and citizen survey to gather data on businesses in the community, the relationship of these businesses to city government and examining options to move forward with economic development activities in the community. I would believe the work will provide a great deal of useful data to not only the city and the businesses but I believe it may also provide valuable data to SMRPC in some of our current activities. Please let me know if we can be of any assistance. Sincerely, Paul Schumacher Executive Director 21 Bradeen Street. Suite 304. Springvale, Maine Voice Fax. info@smrpc.org