[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 241 (Friday, December 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75501-75502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21319]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Market Segmentation of Moderate U.S. Exporters--Focus Groups

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information, as required Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 13, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Gary Rand, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20230; Phone number: 202-482-0691; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In an effort to remain relevant to the marketplace and optimize our 
respective operations, the Commercial Service (CS), Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership (MEP), Census Bureau (Census), and Export-Import 
Bank (Ex-Im) have formed a project team to conduct market segmentation 
research and analysis. Market segmentation is a systematic approach for 
identifying clusters of companies with similar needs and behavior, and 
developing service offerings and sales/marketing approaches targeted at 
segments with the greatest return on investment.
    The purpose of this initiative is to gain market knowledge and 
generate statistically valid characterizations about the needs and 
buying behavior of exporting companies, with a particular focus on 
Moderate exporters, for instance:
    (1) What are the challenges/barriers to exporting and international 
growth, for various types of companies?
    (2) What are their service needs, real and perceived?
    (3) In what areas do they want outside assistance?
    (4) What are their attitudes and purchasing behavior about working 
with outside resources on exporting, including private consultants and 
government trade specialists?
    (5) When and why do exporters purchase outside services for export 
assistance? What is the landscape of export service providers?
    (6) What are the key drivers of export success? What are the 
characteristics associated with success? Our focus here is getting the 
companies into the market, introducing them to the local partners, 
giving them the tools and the opportunities to make the deals, i.e., 
success is defined as getting the companies ``to the plate''. What do 
we need to learn in this area to be more effective?

From this research, services, pricing, and messaging may be 
repositioned to address the exporting needs of small and medium-sized 
businesses.

II. Method of Collection

    The CS, MEP, Census, and Ex-Im have contracted with Pacific 
Consulting Group (PCG) to conduct focus group interviews to gain 
insight into the attitudes, needs, and behaviors of moderate exporters.

[[Page 75502]]

    PCG will recruit firms over the phone using lists obtained from 
third party vendors. Data collection will be conducted during eight 
phone interviews (8 participants per focus group) by a client focus 
group moderator who will record the interviews and then transcribe via 
computer. All comments from participants will be anonymous. Data 
collected from focus groups will provide qualitative information that 
will later serve to supplement the quantitative data collected in 
subsequent surveys and form a complete picture of the needs, attitudes, 
and behaviors of a moderate exporter. Subsequently, mass surveys 
yielding at least 1600 survey responses will seek to collect 
quantitative data.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-xxxx.
    Form Number: ITA-xxxx.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: U.S. companies that are recruited by Pacific 
Consulting Group.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 64.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1.5 hours for focus group 
participants.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 96 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $3,360.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or forms of information technology. 
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 11, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-21319 Filed 12-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P