Surveys & Forecasts, LLC is a full-service strategic marketing research firm founded in 1994 by Bob Walker, and is based in Fairfield, CT. The underlying premise of the firm was that few marketing research firms were able to deliver research learning in a clear manner with specific implications for strategic and tactical marketing action. Using a disciplined, consistent approach, S&F's client base has steadily expanded to include leaders in financial services, telecommunications, packaged goods, OTC & Rx health care, and e-commerce.

The company's success has been built upon: (1) having the utmost respect for the voice of the consumer; (2) obtaining precise insight into the marketing decisions faced by the client; (3) driving the client's information needs into all aspects of research design; and (4) using superior analytic and interpretative skills to drive business success. The company is noted for strengths in exploratory market assessment studies, attitudinal research, customer satisfaction, brand positioning, and communications research.

Bob Walker, Principal & Founder

Bob has never strayed far from his marketing research roots, which began in 1981 at Chesebrough-Pond's in the Strategic Market Development Group. His research career then progressed in positions of increasing scope at Nestle Foods, Richardson-Vicks, and last at James River as Senior Manager of established brands, covering both custom and syndicated research. After his tenure as Senior VP at Stamford-based Evaluative Criteria, he founded Surveys & Forecasts, LLC in 1994. For more info about Bob, visit his LinkedIn profile page.

Bob is an expert in all aspects of qualitative and quantitative research design, from market assessment and segmentation studies to concept and product testing, positioning research, tracking research, and customer satisfaction. He is highly skilled in multivariate statistical analysis, notably using SPSS, WinCross, and BrandMap. He is also well-versed in Cognos PowerPlay and Transformer OLAP software. Clients include companies in consumer products, health care, B2B, information and financial services, and other marketing research and consulting firms.

Originally from the seacoast town of Hampton Falls, NH, he holds a BA in social and experimental psychology from the University of Connecticut, and an MBA in Marketing from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics (University of New Hampshire). He also owns every recording ever made by the Pat Metheny Group.

Lili Diorio, Field Director

Following a successful career in computer-related business training and in education, Lili handles a variety of qualitative and quantitative projects ranging from focus group work to executive interviewing. She is an expert MS Access database programmer. She holds a BS in Education and an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut, where she was inducted into the highest academic business honors society, Beta Gamma Sigma.