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IT professional
services providers face the ongoing challenge of promotion and differentiation
of intangibles—technology and business competence, reliability, a collaborative
culture, just to name a few. A strong brand, based on succinct messaging
and proof points, plays an indisputable role in moving clients through
the buying cycle that begins with awareness and continues as relationships
are forged and formalized.
ITSMA’s IT Professional Services: 2008 Brand Tracking Study helps services providers
understand buyer attitudes and beliefs, their brand equity, current and/or aspired
market positions, and perceptions of performance.
The 2008 edition of this survey
represents the tenth annual installment of ITSMA’s flagship multiclient brand
tracking research focused on the IT professional services market.
Study Scope
ITSMA’s 2008 IT Professional Services and Solutions Brand Tracking
Study focuses on providers of IT professional services
and solutions. This study delivers the data study sponsors need to
validate internal assumptions,
improve marketing strategies and tactics, and hone their brand communication.
Included are new data and analyses on key market indicators and topics,
such as:
- Market knowledge. Who are the leaders and followers? Are providers
recognized for their services capabilities? Are they making credible
claims?
- Provider preference. To which firms do clients turn first?
Are they familiar with others? ?
- Services decision influences. When there are a number of qualified providers, what breaks the
deadlock?
- Competitive
differentiation. How do buyers perceive the key players? What
are the
sources of differentiation? Where is the “white space?”
- Report
card. Are professional services firms meeting expectations?
Which ones are
hitting home runs?

Study Methodology
ITSMA recruited sponsors for its 2008 IT Professional Services
and Solutions Brand Tracking Study in late 2007 and early 2008.
Sponsors of the study
included Capgemini, Cognizant, and British Telecom.
ITSMA conducted 400
telephone interviews with US-based senior IT and business decision
makers (CXOs, vice presidents, and directors). The sample includes
two types of professional services buyer (information technology executives/CIOs
and business executives) and spans eight industry segments, including:
- Communications
- Energy/utilities
- Financial services
- Healthcare
- Life sciences
- Manufacturing
- Public sector
- Retail trade and hospitality
Organizations eligible to participate in the study reported annual
revenue or
operating budget of $300 million or greater. Participants
qualified for inclusion based on their decision-making authority.
ITSMA donated money
to charity in return for participants’ contribution
to the study.

Respondent Demographics
Figure 2.1 Respondent Title

Source: ITSMA, 2008 Professional Services and Solutions
Brand Tracking Study
Figure 2.2 Respondent Role in Purchasing IT Professional Services

Source: ITSMA, 2008 Professional Services and
Solutions Brand Tracking Study
Figure 2.3 Respondent Perspective

Source: ITSMA, 2008 Professional Services and
Solutions Brand Tracking Study
Figure 2.4 Respondent Industry Group

Source: ITSMA, 2008 Professional Services and
Solutions Brand Tracking Study
Figure 2.5 Organization Size by Annual Revenue or Operating Budget

Source: ITSMA, 2008 Professional Services and
Solutions Brand Tracking Study

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