Used in conjunction with quantitative research, focus groups can be a powerful tool to fine-tune strategies and to trial balloon options under consideration. To follow is a sample of SES focus groups and facilitation assignments.

Testing privatization options
Exploring alternative program delivery ideas, senior government officials retained SES to conduct focus group research on the public's perceptions, acceptance and resistance to privatization options under Cabinet consideration.

Critical path facilitation
As part of a major corporate restructuring, SES was retained to facilitate a day-long planning session among top executives.

Government service delivery testing
SES was retained to conduct focus groups of farmers on issues related to government programs and the potential implementation of an Internet-enabled alternative service delivery model.

Fine-tuning a corporate renewal initiative
As part of an overall corporate renewal, SES was retained to conduct a series of focus groups with employees and stakeholders. Topics included testing a new "corporate vision" for the organization and new projects under consideration

Consulting on legislation
Before the introduction of legislation, SES was retained to develop a stakeholder consultation methodology and to chair public feedback sessions. This included recruiting participants and facilitating the discussions across Ontario.

Developing a campaign platform
Leading up to an election, SES was retained to test a series of platform issues being considered by a political campaign. Information was also gathered on overall positioning and the perceptions of the various policy alternatives.

Recruiting for health research
SES was retained to recruit health-care practitioners to participate in a series of focus groups on changes to the health care system.

Facilitating technical negotiations
As a result of its expertise in labour adjustment, SES was retained to facilitate a technical protocol for the redeployment of surplus employees for the broader public sector.

| telephone research | in-person fieldwork | mystery shopping | mail surveys | focus groups | management consulting | automated survey kiosks | omnibus surveys | online research | online consultations