Full Members Survey 2010
EphMRA - Options for Change 2010
EphMRA was originally set up by a number of
European Pharmaceutical companies for other Pharma companies (Full
Members - FM). The Association evolved over time to include
market research agencies and consultants, and suppliers who were
designated as Associate Members (AM) with non-voting membership
since 2001. The number of FM corporate members has remained
relatively steady - around 35-40 companies but the number of
Associate Members has steadily increased to plateau at around 140
members. It is the increase in the number of AMs and the
significant level of their contribution to EphMRA’s activities
which has opened up this opportunity to discuss the change Options
contained in this document.
Over the last couple of years EphMRA has
conducted research, including a number of exploratory discussions
and surveys, with all of its members (FM and AM) to discuss further
the future direction and strategy of the Association, together with
the increasing challenges faced by EphMRA and its members .
Two major actions resulted directly from the research:
- The annual conference format (i.e. shorter, more parallel
sessions, more rigorous papers, etc)
- Implemented a new organisational structure - i.e. … have formed
the Operating Team (Committee Support, PR, Engagement Officer,
PRM&T, Conference Organisers, Code of Conduct) which is managed
by the General Manager, and is designed to facilitate the smooth
running of the Association.
Member feedback showed that EphMRA is highly
valued and well liked by its members. However, following on
from the member research there remains a concern amongst some
members that EphMRA needs to adopt a more proactive, professional
oriented organisation which can better meet members’ current
needs. Therefore, further change is required to demonstrate
that EphMRA has the potential to drive forward initiatives which
bring clear benefits to members and supports participation in the
Association’s activities to senior managers within members’
organisations.
Members want the Association to evolve and be
more progressive in order to be able to better support market
researchers do their job – the demands on which are ever increasing
and EphMRA must be alongside members as ‘teacher’, ‘supporter’ and
enabler for leadership. EphMRA needs to work
towards three major objectives as identified by the members during
research conducted with some members during and around the time of
the 2010 conference:
- Motivating
and transparent leadership (from Board and President)
- Strengthen
the EphMRA Brand - a professional and progressive Association
-
Professional development - training which is forward thinking,
business relevant and accredited
Adopting a strategy to meet these objectives
will support EphMRA in moving forward and being perceived as an
Association to more fully able to meet members’ needs. The
Members’ research at the 2010 conference identified a number of
potential solutions. EphMRA now wants to swiftly act on this
and the first part of the exercise is a consultation with Full
Members to obtain their reactions to the proposals.
An online questionnaire has been developed - here - and we encourage as many Full Member
contacts as possible to complete this - whether you are active in
EphMRA or not - we wish to collect as many views as possible.
Please
read this document which describes the background and the
Options proposed and then complete the online questionnaire.
Many thanks - any questions please contact generalsecretary@ephmra.org