The consultation process provides organizations with an opportunity to hear what their target audience is thinking on a particular issue. Governments can use responses to consultations to help form policies and legislation that reflect the concerns of their constituents. Businesses can apply these learnings to ensure that the needs and issues of customers, potential and existing, as well as stakeholders are addressed.

Consultations generally involve gathering large groups of individuals together, much larger than that of a typical focus group. This affords the opportunity to present the different opinions and viewpoints of the organization and allow feedback from attendees. There are a variety of ways interested parties can provide their feedback including workbooks and surveys administered at the session, follow up e-mail, online forms and follow-up telephone surveys. Multiple sessions can be held to ensure different target groups all have an opportunity to express their opinions.

Banister Research has conducted a number of large-scale public and stakeholder consultations. The firm employs several qualified professionals that are capable of managing the entire consultation process as well as implementing each session and facilitating individual breakout groups.