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Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing allows for accurately administered surveys and quicker turnaround time for data. Interviewing on paper is also available for those projects that dictate a more hands-on approach.
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Experience with numerous mail studies has given us the techniques necessary to ensure maximum return rates.
- individually addressed envelopes with stamps hand applied
- postcard reminders
- telephone reminders
- concise and clear questionnaires
- questionnaires professionally printed
- respondent incentives, if necessary
Internet 
We offer Internet/World Wide Web based interviewing. Survey administration on the web offers fast data collection, less opportunity for human error and more convenience for respondents. Studies are conducted when the subject matter is appropriate for interviewing respondents who have access to the Internet.
Mall/Central Location 
ATD has close working relationships with a vast array of mall/central location facilities throughout the U.S. and in foreign countries. Malls are chosen for each study to best represent the client's target market. We screen for and interview only those respondents desired for the study.
We also pre-recruit respondents by phone, mail, or possibly mall-intercept to come to a central location at a specified time to test a product or idea. These studies may include product and product concept demonstrations, computer-enabled demonstrations, company brochures and literature, advertising materials, videos, and other product materials.
Focus Group Discussions 
Our in-house moderators are experienced in conducting focus groups in a variety of industry types and on a wide range of issues from Internet usage to advertising impact.
Executive Interviewing 
ATD staff members have conducted interviews of executives at all levels of management including CEOs and CFOs of major corporations.
Interactive Voice Response Telephone Research For those target groups where automated telephoning and automated voice response surveys are acceptable, the voice response system can reduce your time and costs to get information.
Data Processing
As an integral part of our commitment to accurate and reliable research, all data processing is done by our affiliate data processing company. This includes data entry, coding of all open-end questions, and data tabulation using the UNCLE data processing system.
- The UNCLE data processing system is the industry standard and allows for greater flexibility in data analysis.
- All open-end question codes are approved after checking verbatim "take-off" from at least 50% of the total sample of questionnaires.
- Data entry is 100% verified.
- If desired, banner plans may be sent to the client for input and final approval. Additional cross-tab requests can typically be processed and delivered with almost immediate turn-around.
- Broadband communications capacity allows for electronic transfer of research information, although hard copies are also and printed and furnished to clients as desired.
Statistical Analysis
ATD offers both univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Our statisticians assist in questionnaire design and statistical analysis in any study involving advanced statistical techniques, including:
- Factor/Cluster Analysis
- Discriminate Function Analysis
- Multiple Regression
- ANOVA and MANOVA
- Perceptual Mapping (Multidimensional scaling)
- Significance Testing ( analysis, t-tests, z-tests)
- Conjoint Analysis/Conjoint Trade-Off Analysis
Reports
All analysis of the data and report writing is done by Jon LeSage, vice president and director of research with the assistance of ATD staff and the global resources and experience of Abrams Consulting Group. ATD works closely with its clients to customize research reports appropriate to the client's needs and objectives.
Reports are professionally prepared and include color charts and tables, where appropriate, to make the data more meaningful. An executive summary with conclusions is included in each report.
Market Intelligence Reports
ATD conducts customized market intelligence research projects, which offer clients tailor-made information packages designed to answer specific research questions - information that's essential for making strategic business decisions, and information not available through any other sources. ATD's specialized knowledge and technical expertise, proprietary industry network, worldwide resources, and library allow us to provide business information unavailable to other research firms. Past projects have provided clients with data on major competitors, industry trends and developments, market statistics, and other critical data on domestic and international car rental, fleet leasing and management, truck rental and heavy duty trucking, travel technology, retail car sales, mass transit, and other travel and transportation topics. ATD's market intelligence reports are based on data collected through both primary and secondary research sources, including:
- Interviews with ATD's proprietary network of car rental, travel, and automotive industry company executives, analysts, industry suppliers, consultants, and other relevant parties.
- Documents and information accessed through ATD's resource library of statistics, reports, and archived industry data.
- Information gathered through analysis of industry publications, business media reports, public filings, press releases, and Internet searches.
Car Rental Market Scan
Car Rental Market Scan is a subscriber information service tracking the auto rental industry. Market Scan offers subscribers a first-of-its-kind data-rich digest of analysis, statistics, benchmarks, forecasts, trends, and general information on the North American car and truck rental industry, along with regular coverage of European car rental. Market Scan will be of great value to anyone interested in the dynamics of the car rental business, including rental companies and systems, investors, analysts, vendors, and allied travel suppliers. Produced quarterly by ATD, Market Scan offers a summary of high-level industry developments and trends and statistical indicators in each edition, plus a special focus section.
Each edition of Car Rental Market Scan will feature a special topic, providing more in-depth coverage and analysis of critical areas of the car rental business, such as:
- Market Forecast: Market Scan looks at the upcoming year's forecast for the business, leisure, and local/replacement market segments, along with developments in fleet management issues, Internet marketing and reservations, and the European car rental market.
- Local Market: Trends in insurance replacement, dealerships, body shops, retail rentals, and local market business and leisure travel trends are analyzed. The U.S. consumer and commercial truck rental industry also is a topic of coverage.
- Airport Market: Topics include airport construction and consolidated facility trends, airport security, ancillary surcharges and taxes, and business and leisure market updates.
- Operations Management: Topics include fleet management, including new model year manufacturer rental programs, labor costs throughout the country, and car rental technology developments.
Abrams Quality Compass
Abrams Quality Compass (AQC) is a unique, in-depth tool for tracking quality assurance, customer satisfaction, and performance benchmarking in the car rental industry. AQC was designed for car rental systems and operators by car rental professionals, and can be used by car rental companies operating in the airport, local, replacement, and specialty vehicle markets.
AQC utilizes telephone, mail, or Internet surveys to interview customers of subscriber car rental companies on all aspects of their car rental transaction, from reservation to rental return. AQC can be used for tracking customer transactions in North America and Europe. Client subscribers can track customer service on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis and use the data for a range of management functions including assessing the performance of specific locations or regions, gauging the depth of customer loyalty, and identifying goals for service improvement.
AQC is available in two formats: the Comprehensive format has been designed for in-depth analysis of all aspects of the car rental process; the Condensed format offers a concise questionnaire for companies needing a more general overview. Pricing is based on format, sample size, and frequency. Clients will receive a report card on their customer service ratings presented in an A-F grading system.
Clients can purchase additional analytical services including extra questions, a benchmarking database allowing for comparison of company results to industry standards, an assessment of customer loyalty factors predictive of future purchasing behavior, and consulting services which assist clients in taking action on areas of improvement identified during the AQC survey process. Consulting services are provided by Abrams Consulting Group, Inc., the parent company of ATD, and the leading specialized auto rental consultancy worldwide since 1982.
STAFF INFORMATION
- Packaged Goods (food, non-food, and health and beauty aids)
- Fast Food
- Community Surveys
- Government
- Health Care/ Hospitals
- Computers and related industries
- Hotels/ Resorts
- Industrial/ Manufacturing
- International Marketing
- Financial Services
- Utilities
Jon LeSage
Jon LeSage is Vice President and Director of Research of ATD, and has managed the company since its initial launch on Oct. 1, 1998. His market research experience includes: questionnaire design and development, overseeing field data collection, data analysis, report writing and graphic design, and client presentation and recommendations. Mr. LeSage also has extensive background in conducting market intelligence reports, which provide clients with critical information on key competitors, emerging industry trends and issues, and industry statistical data, for making strategic planning and marketing decisions.
Prior to the launch of ATD, LeSage served for several years as an executive editor at Auto Rental News, the leading industry trade publication. During his tenure at Auto Rental News, he became recognized as a leading authority on U.S. and international auto rental, and became a regularly quoted source in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Miami Herald, The Los Angeles Times, Business Travel News, Automotive News, Travel Agent, Travel Weekly, and was interviewed on CNN and CBS News Radio.
LeSage produced the Auto Rental News Fact Book, an annual statistical publication that became known for its insightful, accurate data, and was referenced regularly in major news and business publications. He also created a pioneering industry operating performance benchmark study, and co-authored with Neil Abrams the first-ever series of articles documenting the global auto rental industry, region by region.
LeSage served as a member of the ADT Automotive Client Advisory board, and was a speaker at various car rental industry conventions and meetings. In 1998, he was the recipient of the Magazine of the Year award from Bobit Publishing Company, parent of Auto Rental News.
Prior to his stewardship at Auto Rental News, he was an editor at Automotive Fleet, the leading trade publication covering the corporate fleet leasing and management industry. This background has assisted him in conducting research projects on the global fleet leasing and management industry, another industry served by ATD. Prior to this, he worked in staff positions and as a freelance writer performing writing and editing duties for various business and travel publications including California magazine and L.A. Style magazine. LeSage holds a bachelor's degree from California State University.
Thomas W. Farrand
Mr. Farrand serves as Senior Research Consultant with ATD. He is responsible for study and questionnaire design, overseeing interviewing, analysis of data, and report and presentation preparation. He has more than 24 years of market research experience in:
Prior to joining ATD, Mr. Farrand was President of a full-service Market Research Firm located in Los Angeles. He has extensive experience in all phases of research including telephone, mail, Internet, mall intercepts and in-person interviewing, and has years of experience in designing customer satisfaction, usage and attitude tracking, advertising tracking, product tests, taste tests, Home-Use-Tests, packaging research, etc. His market research experience includes positions as Manager of Market Research for Hunt-Wesson Foods, International Market Research Manager for KFC, Market Research Manager at Dial Corporation, and Research Manager at Columbia Savings and Loan. He received a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Mathematics and Business from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and an MBA from the University of Denver with an emphasis in International Marketing and Market Research.
Dale Ford
Dale Ford is Market Research Manager for Abrams Travel Data and is responsible for project management of custom qualitative and quantitative projects. Ms. Ford is an experienced moderator and ethnographic expert. Dale has also managed numerous marketing research projects in the automotive industry, including car clinic and various qualitative methods.
Prior to joining Abrams Travel Data, Dale worked for the Los Angeles office of Goldfarb Consultants. Her main focus was qualitative research. Dale is not only adept at gaining insights into people's lives using ethnographic techniques but also in focusing this information towards the improvement and strategy building of future consumer communications as well as product development/enhancement.
Prior to joining Goldfarb Consultants, Dale worked as a Research Specialist on proprietary tracking studies at J.D. Power and Associates, where she gained experience in syndicated as well as proprietary research design and methodology.
Dale has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton. She has been trained in focus group moderating by RIVA, in San Diego, CA. She is also a member of the AMA.
Stefen Perez
Stefen Perez, Research Analyst, is involved in the design and execution of research projects. His responsibilities range from study design, questionnaire development, supervision of fieldwork and data tabulation, and data analysis.
Mr. Perez received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from California State University, Fullerton. While at Fullerton, he worked with the College of Business and Economics faculty to conduct a marketing research project designed to evaluate existing e-commerce teaching methods and determine ways of improvement. As a student, Mr. Perez served in a research capacity for an Internet technology company.