January 8, 2024
Ferris State students assist tech company with marketing and raise money for breast cancer research
This fall, marketing research students from the College of Business undertook a project for TechLok Solutions, LLC, a company located in Royal Oak, Michigan, that specializes in designing and selling electronic security devices. The primary focus of the study was on LapLok, their laptop security device. At the start of the semester, students met with Ryan Angott, one of the co-founders of TechLok Solutions, who introduced them to the product, briefed them on the company's marketing challenges, and outlined his objectives for the research.
Under the guidance of their course facilitator, the students proceeded with the marketing research process to create and execute a quantitative research project.
“This survey is part of a problem-based learning project in our Marketing Research class at Ferris State,” said Henry Ho, a professor of Marketing. “For almost a decade, the marketing research class has been regularly approached by multiple businesses seeking assistance in resolving their marketing issues. In the marketing research course, students are required to collaborate in groups to design and develop a survey questionnaire, gather and analyze quantitative data, compile a report, and deliver an oral presentation to their client.”
To collect primary data, the marketing research students employed the mall-intercept method. They initially showcased LapLok to participants and then encouraged them to complete a paper-based survey fully. As a motivation, TechLok Solutions committed to donating $5 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for each study completed they received. Within three weeks, the student researchers successfully gathered 485 completed questionnaires, resulting in a remarkable donation of $2,425.
As Ho has pointed out, undertaking this research project offers several advantages for marketing students, including the chance to acquire practical skills, develop teamwork abilities and build confident problem-solving capabilities. These real-world experiences, aptitude for collaborative work, and problem-solving expertise distinguish Ferris State graduates from their peers. The students concluded the survey by presenting their findings to TechLok Solutions during the last week of the Fall 2023 semester. The study impressed Mr. Angott and led him to request additional marketing research help from Ferris State's marketing program in Spring 2024.