Everyone,
My organization, The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC is looking to reevaluate our membership levels and benefits for our next season. We've contacted TRG Arts to help us with this. They sent us a contract to sign, but we're having some second thoughts. First, they mention how we'll need to design a survey for our patrons to find out which benefits of membership they like, which benefits they don't like, and which benefits they'd like to be offered. TRG doesn't design the survey, we do. Then, they look at the 5 previous years of data pulled from Tessitura to determine our patron loyalty. Finally, they'll create a new membership and benefit structure based on the the data and answers from surveys.
I have two bigger questions about this. If we design the survey, how do they know we're asking the right questions? It seems much more useful if they design the survey around our patron population and current membership structure. Also, why are they only looking at five years of data? How can they determine patron loyalty from just five years?
When we asked them these questions, they were very misdirecting and wishy-washy.
Has anyone here worked with them before? What was your experience like? I'd love to chat with someone about it.
Allison
Hey Allison,
Unfortunately, I don't have direct experience working with TRG Arts on the actual research process, but while I was with Tulsa Ballet I was able to see the end results of some of their work. I wish I had a bit more hands-on experience with that process to know whether or not the case of the organization-created survey is consistent with the Ballet's previous experience.
You might consider reaching out to Scott Black, the Managing Director, to see if he's willing to share some insight from that process.
Thank you,
Brian
Thanks so much, Brian! I will definitely reach out to him to see if he will share his experience.
Allison,
I'm happy to connect with you directly about TRG. I have worked with them both on the client side three times and as a associate consultant. I can offer some insight about their practices. Feel free to reach out at rachela@alleytheatre.org.
Rachel