ABOUT US
Established in 1990, Business Development Directives is a national research-driven marketing consulting firm that excels in unique assignments, guiding esteemed business leaders to unprecedented success. Specializing in both internal and external research, consulting, and facilitation; we bring extensive expertise to our clients.
Catering to a broad clientele, encompassing associations, Fortune 500 companies, renowned universities, and privately held enterprises, we have a strong presence in various industries such as Academia, Associations, Automotive, Construction, Computer, Engineering, Furniture, Healthcare, Human Resource, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Transportation, and Standards.
With a proven track record of conducting numerous focus groups and research studies, we assist clients in capturing employee perceptions, gaining crucial industry insights, benchmarking best practices, measuring customer or brand perceptions, and testing or developing new products. Our overarching goal is to position or reposition clients for the future while meticulously fine-tuning their growth strategies.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
William Lowell, CMC
Founder & President
William Lowell, certified management consultant and founder of Business Development Directives, leads our Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based marketing research consulting firm. Renowned for his impactful research studies and expertise across diverse industries, Bill has personally facilitated 1,500 focus groups and overseen 1,000 research studies, including extensive benchmarking analyses.
Beyond consulting, Bill is a prolific speaker with over 1,600 presentations and workshops nationwide, an author of 50+ articles and the book "Focus Groups Made Simple," and co-hosts The B2B Marketing Mindset podcast, showcasing his thought leadership in the marketing industry. He also contributes to education as a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty member and a recipient of the Excellence Award for Instructional Academic Staff. An alumnus of the university, he holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and received the Outstanding Alumni Award.
Active in professional associations, Bill is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants USA, solidifying his influence in management consulting and research-driven marketing.
Jan Lowell
Project & Operations Leader
Jan Lowell is recognized by our clients as the "friendly and attentive" customer service expert at Business Development Directives, known for her exceptional dedication and going above and beyond. Within the firm, Jan oversees day-to-day operations including project management, human resources, finances and office administration. In her client-facing role as project manager, she assigns staff workloads, provides client support and serves as a crucial liaison.
Jan is also proficient in the firm's proprietary software, offering expertise in training, configuration for research clients, running banners and cross tabs and analyzing data. Her meticulous approach ensures the quality of reports through thorough data checks, proofreading and final editing.
Before joining Business Development Directives, Jan was a partner in a rapidly growing Construction Management firm, where she served as the lead project manager for notable projects like the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. She was also responsible for day-to-day operations and financial management.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jan is an avid reader, enjoys bicycling and cherishes time spent with her chocolate lab.