Our Services

Consumer Recruiting Project Management QA/QC Programs and Testing

Consumer Testing Descriptive Analysis Sensory Evaluation and Training Seminars

CONSUMER RECRUITING

Sensory Services Ltd. has an ever expanding data base with access to thousands of consumers.

The consumers included in our data base have a wide range of demographic and product use characteristics.

Consumers with specified target group criteria are recruited from Mississauga and the surrounding area.

Our main test facility is located in Mississauga with affiliations in major cities across Canada and the U.S.

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CONSUMER TESTING CAPABILITIES

Sensory Services Ltd. considers every project to be unique. Depending on the project objectives, we are able to conduct Quantitative or Qualitative consumer research.

Quantitative Research

Whether selected consumers are coming to us - or your product is going home with them – we ensure proper sensory methodology is used throughout the testing period.

Central Location Tests - consumers come to our test facility and try products in a controlled manner.

Home Use Tests - products are sent home with consumers to test in a natural setting.

Qualitative Research

Focus Groups - A skilled moderator leads a discussion with a small group of consumers regarding topics relating to concepts, products or prototypes.

Exceptional qualitative information on your product is the result when we bring together our highly trained staff, full kitchen facilities and a fully-equipped viewing area.

A trained moderator, who also specializes in sensory evaluation, works closely with the target group, carefully probing in order to arrive at the meaningful, directional information you need.

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT

We will provide support from the initial stages of project management through to a final interpretive report.

• Assist in Setting Project Objectives
• Screener and Questionnaire Design
• Consumer Recruitment
• Data Tabulation
• Verbatim Comments Tabulation
• Statistical Analysis
• Provide a Final Interpretive Report

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DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS

At Sensory Services Ltd., we have a group of highly trained tasters who have been describing the sensory make up of a wide variety of food products and consumer goods, for well over 10 years.

Based on extensive training, each taster is adept at detecting and describing product characteristics by means of a highly developed descriptive vocabulary. The result is a thorough understanding of the nature and intensity of a product's attributes. We will work with you during product development, brand comparison or "off" product troubleshooting.

Descriptive Analysis can be used to "fingerprint" products prior to taking them to consumer research. By combining results of consumer testing with Descriptive Analysis findings, we are able to interpret what consumers are saying about the products into results the client can act upon.

Questionnaire Design for consumer tests also benefits from Descriptive Analysis. Knowing the product's attributes prior to testing helps us to come up with the right diagnostics to be used in the questionnaire.

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QA/QC PROGRAMS & TESTING

We'll work with you to determine your needs including which sensory techniques are best suited for the evaluation of raw materials, in-process and finished consumer products.

Once a protocol is established, we can also train plant employee panels to evaluate the sensory characteristics of your products through each phase of processing.

• How does your product quality compare to the competition?
  Highly trained evaluators at Sensory Services will describe the sensory characteristics i.e. appearance, aroma/fragrance, flavour, texture, or skinfeel of your products compared to the competition.
• What do consumers think about the quality of your products?
  We will test your products with actual target group consumers to determine if your products are acceptable overall and with respect to specific diagnostics i.e. appearance, flavour, texture, etc. versus the competition.
• How consistent are your products? Do they meet sensory specifications?
  In order to help ensure that the same good quality products are delivered consistently to consumers, Sensory Services will develop sensory specifications for your products.

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SENSORY EVALUATION & TRAINING SEMINARS

We understand the value of precise, consistent and standardized sensory measurements. For those who would like to learn more about sensory evaluation, we hold basic and advanced training level sessions covering important skills such as: knowing what type of sensory testing to use for specific situations; determining who should evaluate products; learning how to develop a questionnaire and analyze the data; and understanding how to develop a vocabulary of descriptive terms.

Through a detailed “hands on” evaluation of appearance, odour, flavour and texture, participants will learn about different test procedures, objective vs. subjective assessors, test design and descriptive analysis.

We can train employees in the basics of sensory evaluation through to more advanced sensory principles. Each seminar is customized to fulfill your needs.

Whether it be employees working in the plant, those in product development or those in marketing research it is extremely beneficial for all to understand the sensory characteristics of the products they are working with.

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