‘SLIM Research Bureau’ to empower local entrepreneurs and marketers with new insights

Market watch presentation

The national body for marketing in Sri Lanka launched ‘SLIM Research Bureau’ (SRB), the research arm of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, with the aim of driving the country towards a knowledge-based and insight-driven economy. 

Officially launched on 7 July, virtually via an online platform, SRB is committed towards supporting students, marketers, SMEs and entrepreneurs to be at the forefront of decision-making and planning, as a trusted source of information. 

This initiative intends to enable education, innovation, ICT and learning amongst marketers benefiting the marketing community, academia and industry in driving the country towards a knowledge-based economy. 

SLIM Research Bureau focuses on three aspects of this enhancement; innovation, education and learning. SRB supports in developing research infrastructure while enhancing researchers’ skills and competencies via valuable data and insights leading to new knowledge and innovation. SRB also aims at bridging the gap between the marketing industry and academia by assisting researchers to investigate issues in the industry. 

SLIM has been encouraging research in multiple ways through its various national initiatives and events. SRB acts as the dedicated entity of SLIM, which drives its mandate to lead the nation’s efforts towards economic prosperity by supporting marketers, SMEs and business leaders to make informed and insight-driven decisions. 

At present, Sri Lanka is going through unprecedented times and it is vital for Sri Lankan businesses and entrepreneurs to make insight driven informed decisions for business sustainability and post pandemic economic recovery. Through the national initiative of ‘Future Ready Sri Lanka’ SLIM aims at empowering a knowledge-based society through entrepreneurship, innovation, insights and future ready education. 

Speaking at the launch, SLIM President Thilanka Abeywardena stated, “SLIM Research Bureau, the most awaited research arm of SLIM, is an initiative committed to the ‘Future Ready Sri Lanka’ project carried out by SLIM as a national initiative to elevate and develop the country’s knowledge economy. SRB is a knowledge hub that offers a wide range of market research solutions ranging from idealisation to commercialisation and post-launch evaluation. This initiative aims to empower the marketers in the country by assisting in knowledge-based decision-making, especially in the SME sector which often does not find research solutions.”

SLIM Vice President Education Nuwan Gamage further stated, “SLIM continues the effort to enhance the marketing fraternity of the country by actively contributing to a knowledge-based economy. SRB is focused on empowering and enhancing marketeers by rendering new knowledge and broadening their horizons. The research bureau acts as an unprecedented knowledge network offering trusted source of information and insights to the highly evolving world of marketing.” 

SRB offers a range of market research solutions from ideation to commercialisation and post-launch evaluations. SRB also undertakes commissioned research to provide expertise and aid in enhancing the marketing fraternity. This initiative intends to enable innovation and insights-based decision making especially amongst the SME sector which is often underserved with research solutions. 

SLIM treasurer Dr. Jayantha Dewasiri illustrated the two main avenues of the SLIM Research Bureau, “SLIM Research Bureau consists of two sections, Commercial research and Non-commercial research. Commercial research provides valuable insights to organisations by collecting, processing and analysing market data through both qualitative and quantitative research to provide unique insights to consumer dynamics and behaviour. Non-commercial research is oriented towards more academic literature including quarterly insight reports, journals and information provided through international conferences.”

Catering entrepreneurs and SMEs via the commercial avenue, SRB will be offering timely research and quarterly insight reports titled ‘Market Watch’, which aims to share timely marketing and consumer insights. The first of these reports was also launched at this event, titled ‘Food Choices in a Post-COVID world’, addressing how consumer nutrition and decisions surrounding nutrition have changed during the pandemic. This report was compiled with the strategic partnership of Sparkwinn Research. 

SRB has also ensured that scholarly literature is readily available for students via the non-commercial avenue providing the South Asian Journal of Marketing (SAJM) which is a peer-reviewed open-access journal, and the bi-annual journal, issued in July and December. Further expertise and experience will be shared for a richer learning experience through the first-ever Sri Lankan academic partnership with Emerald Publishing for the International Conference on Marketing Management (ICMM) through this platform. 

SLIM CEO/ED Sanath Senanayake emphasised the significance of studying marketing at SLIM, “As the national body for marketing in Sri Lanka, SLIM has been promoting marketing excellence and elevating the status of marketing since 1970. We provide quality coaching and maintain very high standards enabling students to deliver exceptional results with value additions. In addition, SLIM has been encouraging research in multiple ways through its various national initiatives and events. SRB will continue that effort to educate marketers and enable innovation and high-quality decision making leading towards economic prosperity.” 

SLIM continues supporting the marketing fraternity of the country by guiding marketers to the knowledge- based future and actively contributing to sustaining and enhancing the economy of the country.

Panel discussion - SRB Launch