The best testament to a market research firm's capability is a long list of satisfied clients, and a willingness to provide a variety of references for work that has been conducted. Be clear about expectations, outcomes, process and confidentiality concerns. It is vitally important for you to have a clear understanding of who will be working on your project, and have access to your confidential materials. It is not uncommon for legitimate firms to insist on confidentiality agreements from their staff, to prevent any possible disclosure. It is also important to know where your proprietary information is being gathered and stored, and what types of safeguards are in place to protect the integrity of that information.
Most firms are well-protected in terms of security and computer access firewalls.
Be involved in the research process. The most effective and successful market research efforts are collaborative. Maintaining contact with the project manager throughout the entire process guarantees that you will have a clear understanding of the effort, and that the recommendations and strategic implications make sense for your company. The appropriate research partner will facilitate these actions, and encourage active participation and feedback. All companies, regardless of their size, product or service range, need immediate and reliable feedback on where they stand and what the marketplace demands from them.