- Briefing Guidelines
- Citations and Press Quotes For Sellers (Vendors) and Buyers (End Users)
- Commissioned Research And Webinar Guidelines
- Factual Reviews For Vendors Mentioned In Research
- FTC Disclosures
- Inquiries From Buyers (End Users)
- Press Interviews And Media Coverage
- Reprints
- Research Collaboration And Participation
Briefing Guidelines
We welcome the opportunity to interact with the community. We’re always looking to hear the next big thing. So, no need to be a client. Just be engaging and don't put us to sleep. Clients do have preference on dates and times. All others, first come first serve. Just follow these guidelines:
- Let us know who you want to brief and why.
- Think about what you want to cover: product update, organizational update, competitive landscape, wins/losses, case studies, partnerships, news, trends, etc.
- Submit your presentation the day before in powerpoint. We take notes in these things so please don’t send a pdf.
- Think about whether or not a demo make sense. If so, please put out the video conferenc elink.
- Include a web/phone conferencing link and dial in number. Please don’t use Live Meeting, our Macs don’t play well for some reason. =)
- Be prepared for tough questions. We'll ask them and you should expect us to. If we're not asking them, that means we've fallen asleep or are pretty bored.
- Use the online briefing form. We usually respond to these within 24 hours. If it's urgent, don't be shy, just contact us directly at briefings@ConstellationRG.com
Citations and Press Quotes For Sellers (Vendors) and Buyers (End Users)
Anything and everything on our blog is quotable and citable. A few quick guidelines;
- Written permission required for all citations/quotations. Please allow ample time for approvals. We try to get back in less than 24 hours.
- Citations must come from printed or spoken sources. Each citation of published content must clearly define the source (e.g. published report, blog, speech given at a particular event, video clipping, phone conversation) and include the date. Each citation must also include the author of the citation and also include a link to the source if available online. Tweets are quotable!
- Verbal quotes may not mention specific companies, products, or services in such instances in order to avoid appearing to endorse a specific solution. In a product evalution with defined and public criteria, Constellation may be cited for placing a product or vendor in a certain category.
- Sellers (Vendors) and Buyers (Users) must receive direct permission
- If the content is from this blog, cite it as “Source: Analyst Name, Title, Constellation Research, Inc. (e.g. “R “Ray” Wang, Principal Analyst and CEO, Constellation Research, Inc.)
Commissioned Research And Webinar Guidelines
From time to time, thought leadership papers and webinars may be produced with vendor sponsorship. Should this occur, readers can expect the following guidelines to be adhered:
- Full editorial control. Constellation Research publishes thought leadership reports and participates in webinars only when it retains full editorial control for the final output.
- Fact based positions. Constellation Research will not endorse or denigrate any specific vendor solutions by name without research proof points. The object of these papers should primarily be focused on evangelizing broader concepts and industry ideas. However, fact based research data points points may be used to highlight shifts in a vendor’s position. For example, if an evaluation tool shows a ranking of a vendor and position, those facts may be utilized.
- Ownership and usage rights. Constellation Research retains ownership rights. Commissioned vendor gains exclusive usage rights for a defined period of time.
- Full disclosure. Constellation Research will display its name on the report and disclose that the report is a commissioned piece of work
- Citations policies. Quotations and usage in press and media by commissioned vendors require the written approval of Constellation Research, Inc.
Factual Reviews For Vendors Mentioned In Research
Different polices will apply to written analysis based on the medium. However Constellation Research retains final editorial control. For example:
- Blog posts. Blog posts are not subject to upfront factual review. Errors and omissions can be pointed out and corrected. Differences of opinion will be heard but any decisions are up to the analyst.
- Syndicated research. Written and media delivered reports will include a 48 hour factual review period sent out to all impacted parties. Errors and omissions can be pointed out and corrected. Differences of opinion will be heard but any final decisions are up to the head of research. Vendors who choose not
- Media. Factual errors will be subject to an errata or corrections published as applicable.
FTC Disclosures
Please view the Constellation Research policy. In general:
- Constellation Research client list. See the full list in our clients section.
- Hardware and device evaluation units. At the firm level, all hardware and devices have been paid for by Constellation Research, Inc. Individuals from time to time may have demonstration units on loan.
- Software. None at this point. All commercial software is paid for.
- Vendor conferences. Most vendors (sellers) pay for travel to and from the event. This is standard practice in the industry.
Inquiries from Buyers (End User Clients)
If it’s short, use the comments feature in the blog. Most comments are answered.
Press Interviews And Media Coverage
Analysts can be made available for radio, TV, and print interviews. Send an email directly to the media relations team (press at ConstellationRG dot com or contact Executive Assistant Elaine Chan (elaine at ConstellationRG dot com) as a backup in the event of an emergency. Media and bloggers can just refer back to the link and cite accordingly.
Reprints
Use the print function on the blog. However, clients can seek reprints. Pricing follows standard policies. Contact sales AT ConstellationRG DOT com for more details.
Research Collaboration And Participation
Here’s the list of active projects under consideration. We’ll take special 1-hour or more briefings for these topics. Schedule these with Executive Assistant Elaine Chan (elaine at ConstellationRG dot com)
Thursday’s Disruptive Tech Showcase
Objective: Highlight emerging technologies an their applicability to next gen business requirements
Eligibility: Any non-publicly traded startup.
Criteria: Submissions should include answers to the following below:
- What’s the business problem you are trying to solve?
- How do you do it better than anyone else?
- Can you show this in screen shots?
- Any customer case studies?
- What benefits have been achieved (e.g. ROI, KPI’s)?
- Who do you partner with?
- What’s pricing and licensing like?
- Which products are needed as dependencies?
- When’s the product available?
- Who’s on the management team?
- Who’s funding this effort?
- Who are your competitors?
Objective: In-depth review of a product or solution in the market place. Coverage of a specific set of solutions in detail.
Eligibility: Full version product releases. Point releases are not eligible unless the seller can demonstrate a significant investment in the product.
Criteria: Vendors and sellers should provide the following for consideration:
- Marketing requirements document
- Software requirements document
- Product release guide
- Screen shots in PNG format for use. Resolution at 1440 x 900 preferred.
- Schedule a demo of the product
- Schedule a briefing at least three weeks in advance of the release and answering the questions below in a powerpoint:
- Why did you release this product?
- What are the business problems you are trying to solve?
- How do you do it better than anyone else?
- Any customer case studies, beta customers?
- What benefits have been achieved (e.g. ROI, KPI’s)?
- Who do you partner with?
- What’s pricing and licensing like?
- Which products are needed as dependencies?
- When’s the product available?
- Who are your competitors?