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Aimpoint

If knowledge is power, new Passkey Partner Aimpoint Research is poised to provide a new level of power to program Members. Aimpoint Research is a leading-edge market research and competitive intelligence firm, combining military intelligence experience with more traditional research methods to deliver actionable insights to its clients.

“We offer a unique suite of multi-dimensional research methods supported with a host of tools, processes and technologies in an integrated intelligence model that builds client knowledge, situational awareness and clarity about the future,” says CEO Brett Sciotto. “The result is a clear and comprehensive view of our client’s situation, their customers and their stakeholders so they can optimize their plans and gain a competitive advantage.” 

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Aimpoint has been active in the agriculture space since 2002, gaining insights and identifying trends. Brett was recently invited to speak to Farm Credit’s Group of 30. “We talked about some of the trends we’re observing in agriculture and how we believe they will transform the industry,” Brett says. “More importantly, we talked about how the institutions that serve ag, including Farm Credit, can remain relevant to farmers and ranchers as this transformation occurs.”

Brett has since been engaged to speak to more than a dozen Farm Credit organizations, including boards, management teams and customer-owners, and is also engaged in research projects for several. At a practical level, Brett says that Aimpoint is positioned to undertake a variety of research engagements on behalf of individual System entities, including market segmentation, brand health, customer satisfaction and price elasticity studies. As one example, he started working with Farm Credit Mid-America in July, speaking at the organization’s strategic planning meeting, engaging with the board to discuss changes in agriculture, and working with leadership on a market research study.

“We started working with Aimpoint to enhance both our marketplace understanding and to stretch our thinking about the future,” says Bill Johnson, Farm Credit Mid-America CEO. “They’ve helped us better understand our current marketplace and further define the needs across our various market segments. Brett has shared ideas that challenge our view of the next generation of agriculture and what they expect from the companies they work with, which has caused us to rethink several key business strategies and will change our future business plans.”

Aimpoint has also worked with many ag coops, both large and small, conducting market segmentation, brand equity, customer satisfaction, competitive intelligence and product development analyses. One particular focus is investigating how online purchasing will change the cooperative landscape as farmers and ranchers begin to turn increasingly to the Internet for their operations’ needs.

“In working with our clients, we don’t presume the questions, we take the time to have collaborative discussions, determine critical information requirements, and complete an intelligence analysis to identify what they have a firm grip on and some of the blind spots that we can help illuminate,” he says. “Through this process, we try to build long-term partnerships that help our clients stay ahead and retain their competitive advantage.”

Through their extensive work in agriculture, Brett and fellow principal Scott Caine, who also has a military intelligence background, have recognized the strength and the potential impact of emerging trends. To further this understanding, they’ve initiated a multi-year research initiative focused on agricultural trends in the future.  

“From our observation, many of our ag clients were oversimplifying some of the changes we were seeing in the industry and not responding appropriately,” Brett says. “We’re taking a deep look into who will be the successful farmers of the future so we can determine how our clients can be relevant to the people who will be controlling ag in 2040.” 

Brett and Aimpoint recognize the importance of agriculture to the future of the country, and of Farm Credit to the future of agriculture. 

“We’ve long recognized the importance of agriculture and the challenges that the industry is facing in a rapidly changing world market, so it’s very rewarding to work with organizations like Farm Credit and agricultural cooperatives who serve our nation’s farmers,” he says.  

About Passkey

Powered by FCC Services and backed by a 20-year track record, Passkey leverages the collective purchasing power of cooperatives, associations, public entities and industry groups to negotiate significant discounts with national partners. 

Discounts include business service solutions as well as many personal discounts available to the employees and boards of participating organizations, from car rentals and vacations to telecom services and office supplies. With no cost to participate, we invite you to join the program.

For more information about Passkey, visit our website or contact Heather Tseng, Passkey Sales and Marketing Manager, via email or by calling 303.721.3236.

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