a positive note from forrester
i was feeling a bit down about all the crummy corporate behavior i’ve posted today, and, happily, just stumbled into something of a positive note.
in a letter (full text included) recently posted on their corporate site, the forrester research ceo takes the high ground.
unlike some other companies that trademark “trust” and try to work around it, it seems that forrester recognizes that trust is not just a slogan or something nice to put on the letterhead.
Research integrity is the core value of our company and is fundamental to Forrester’s value proposition.
effective immediately, forrester “will no longer accept projects that involve paid-for, publicized product comparisons.”
on the surface, it seems that a good deal of the trouble has its roots in the acquisition of giga. so, kudos to forrester and to george colony, for owning up to the problem and swallowing the (perhaps bitter) devaluation of their acquisition.
A Statement From Forrester Chairman Of The Board And CEO George F. Colony
In its 20 years of existence, Forrester has based its business on independence and objectivity. Research integrity is the core value of our company and is fundamental to Forrester’s value proposition.
Forrester’s business consists primarily of creating syndicated research for $1 billion-plus companies. This research is paid for by Forrester to be used by the company’s wide range of clients. A small part of our business, enhanced since Giga joined Forrester, involves privately sponsored research — projects that are paid for by third parties, primarily vendors. These projects are completed using valid and fair methodologies, consistent with Forrester’s thorough and complete internal research processes.
Recently, in two isolated and unrelated cases, we conducted privately sponsored studies for two vendor clients. We stand by the integrity of both studies. However, we erred in allowing those clients to publicize the research findings.
In response to these two isolated events, Forrester has taken immediate steps to tighten our internal process and clarify our Integrity Policy. As part of this clarification, the company will no longer accept projects that involve paid-for, publicized product comparisons. This move revalidates and strengthens Forrester’s research integrity.
This new policy goes into effect immediately. Publicizable, paid-for contracts presently in effect (several that predate Forrester’s acquisition of Giga) will not be renewed when they expire.
For any further questions, please contact Karyl Levinson or Steve Davidson at vendorrelations@forrester.com.