GHS 22,000 in Field Research Costs saved!
3rd October, 2024 | Francis Val-Neboh
“Obtaining data is not enough. Deriving insight is not enough.
Both must happen in record time, else they become irrelevant”
– MegaQuest AI
As a Start-up on a Lean Budget, How Do You Collect Quality Market Data Without Breaking the Bank?
Imagine you’re a growing AgriTech company that relies heavily on feedback from field extension officers in some of the most remote regions. You know their insights are crucial to improving your product—but collecting that feedback is time-consuming, expensive, and full of inaccuracies. You need a better way.
That’s exactly the situation AgriGuard found itself in. The Ghanaian startup had a mission to help farmers leverage GPS-based tools for better yield predictions and boundary mapping, but they couldn’t continue to sustain the high cost and slow pace of traditional feedback methods. They needed a smarter, more cost-effective way to conduct large-scale research—one that could keep up with their growing user base and complex needs.
AgriGuard’s Challenge: High Costs, Limited Data, and Operational Bottlenecks
For AgriGuard, their growing challenges revolved around three core problems:
1. High Costs of Data Collection:
Conducting field visits and interviews across rural Ghana meant high transportation, accommodation, and manual transcription costs. Each trip involved a logistical headache and financial burden.
2. Slow Feedback Loops:
It often took weeks or even months to get back the insights they needed to make product decisions. By the time they processed data, the context had changed, making it difficult to stay agile.
3. Low Data Accuracy:
Manual processes left too much room for human error, miscommunication, and transcription issues. AgriGuard was often left questioning the quality of the data they received.
The MegaQuest Approach: Lean Large-Scale Research in Action
MegaQuest is a platform built with the principles of Lean Large-Scale (LLS) Research baked into its very core. LLS is a modern approach to research that focuses on scalability, speed, and cost-efficiency, without sacrificing data quality.
It’s designed for businesses like AgriGuard that need to collect feedback from a large number of people but can’t afford to spend huge amounts of time or money on manual processes.
MegaQuest offered AgriGuard a unique solution: the ability to implement Lean Large-Scale (LLS) Research seamlessly into their workflow, helping them scale their research efforts without scaling costs.
How Did MegaQuest Transform AgriGuard’s Process?
1. Remote Data Collection at Scale:
AgriGuard needed to gather real-time insights from extension officers stationed in remote, hard-to-reach areas. Using MegaQuest’s platform, they could launch remote data collection campaigns that required no in-person visits. Extension officers used mobile devices to send feedback directly into the system, cutting out travel expenses and delays.
2. Automation of Manual Tasks:
Through automation, MegaQuest replaced AgriGuard’s need for manual transcription and data processing. With the platform’s automated transcription and data analysis tools, they could process feedback in real-time—allowing product teams to adjust features almost instantly. This significantly reduced the human error that plagued their earlier efforts.
3. Iterative, Data-Driven Decision Making:
Thanks to MegaQuest’s integrated LLS framework, AgriGuard adopted an iterative approach to product development. Feedback loops that once took weeks now ran in hours. With quick turnaround times, they were able to respond to farmers’ and extension officers’ needs much more rapidly, enhancing their product’s fit for the market.
The Results: A Transformation in Costs, Speed, and Data Quality
1. Reduction in Research Costs by GHS 22,000:
By eliminating the need for travel and manual labor, MegaQuest helped AgriGuard cut their research costs by GHS 22,000. No more transportation fees, no accommodation costs, and no expensive transcription services.
Here’s a breakdown of how MegaQuest saved AgriGuard GHS 22,000::
- Transport Costs (for 4 people):
- East Legon to Ashanti Region: GHS 150 x 4 = GHS 600
- Ashanti to Central: GHS 75 x 4 = GHS 300
- Central to East Legon: GHS 200 x 4 = GHS 800
Total Transport Cost = GHS 1,700
- Accommodation Costs (for 4 people over 3 days):
- Ashanti Region: GHS 120 per night x 4 = GHS 480 x 1 night = GHS 480
- Central Region: GHS 200 per night x 4 = GHS 800 x 1 night = GHS 800
Total Accommodation Cost = GHS 1,280
- Data Analysis Costs: GHS 7,000
- Transcription Costs: GHS 12,300
Total Cost = GHS 22,280
2. From Data to Insights in Minutes, Not Weeks:
What once took weeks—gathering feedback, transcribing it, analyzing it—was now completed in minutes. The real-time capabilities of MegaQuest allowed AgriGuard to become more agile and responsive, keeping them ahead of the curve.
3. Increase in Data Accuracy:
MegaQuest’s automated data collection tools removed human error and improved the overall quality of insights. AgriGuard could now make product decisions based on reliable, high-quality data, helping them better serve farmers.
4. Faster Product-Market Fit:
The faster feedback loop meant AgriGuard could refine their product more frequently and more accurately to match user needs. Farmers and extension officers reported higher satisfaction, and the product became more intuitive and user-friendly.
Client’s Testimonial
“MegaQuest’s Lean Large-Scale Research approach saved us time and money, but more importantly, it allowed us to really connect with our users. We were able to refine our product to a point where farmers are happier and more productive.”
— Bernard, AgriGuard Founder
What Makes MegaQuest Different?
Why MegaQuest? The power of MegaQuest lies in its seamless integration of Lean Large-Scale Research principles. Here’s how it stands out:
- Remote Scalability:
Collect data from thousands of users across diverse regions without the need for physical travel.
- Automation-First:
Automated transcription and analysis save time and ensure higher data accuracy.
- Fast Feedback Cycles:
Real-time processing of feedback leads to quicker, more data-driven decision-making.
- Cost Efficiency:
Designed to eliminate unnecessary costs, MegaQuest allows businesses to scale research without scaling their budget.
Boost Your Research Efficiency with MegaQuest
Are you ready to transform your research process like AgriGuard?
Whether you’re in agri-tech or any industry. If you need actionable market insights, MegaQuest’s Lean Large-Scale Research can transform how you gather and use data.
Book an appointment today to discover how MegaQuest can enhance your research efficiency, save costs, and improve your decision-making process.
Disclaimer: If no slots are immediately available, it means all current appointment slots have been filled. You can check back later for availability. For high-priority requests, please email us at marketing@megaquest.io.