Research Report

Summary
This report was conducted to show the advantages and disadvantages of a change in name
for our business and how this change will not only affect our business but also the
community. Two local businesses that have recently changed their names will be used to
show all of the aspects of changing the name of the business. These two example
businesses that are being used are the hospital that is currently named Vidant Medical
Center and the burger franchise that is currently named Highway 55. Through this report,
our business employees and administration will give the final decision regarding the
name change.
Introduction
In the interest of future expansion opportunities to grow our business and avoid possible
trademark infringements with other companies with similar names and logos, our
company is greatly contemplating changing our name. Two local businesses, now Vidant
Medical Center and Highway 55, have recently faced the advantages and disadvantages
in changing the names of their businesses.
The local hospital has changed names many times. The named changed from Pitt General
Hospital to Pitt County Memorial Hospital and then finally to Vidant Medical Center.
Before the hospital changed their name to Vidant Medical Center, they wanted to change
it to UHS Medical Center, but the UHS name was already taken by another business and
could not have been used due to trademark infringement. The reason that these name
changes occurred was to better serve the community and provide a clear statement in
their name. A great advantage to the recent name change from Pitt County Memorial
Hospital to Vidant Medical Center was the fact the name was much shorter and that it
provided a clear statement since the name Vidant was drawn from the Spanish word
Vida meaning life. A disadvantage to this recent name change is that the community is
already familiar with the similar name and the new name does not give a location like Pitt
County Memorial hospital provided.
Like the hospital, the local burger franchise also recently changed its name from Andys
to Highway 55. This change was made to better reflect the concept and food of the
restaurant, help the company expand to other states outside of North Carolina, and to
avoid any trademark conflicts with the name Andys that could be present in those
other states. The only major disadvantage that occurred with this name change was that
the locals did not recognize the name change at first and still preferred to call it by its
previous name.
Other aspects that had to be reviewed with not only these name changes, but also with
our possible name change are legal documents and processes that have to take place, the
financial circumstances that follow, and how the name change will effect our employees
and community members.

Methods
To be able to conduct this research and see if it is agreed or disagreed upon changing our
business name, all of our 40 employees/administration members will take a quick survey.
Before taking the survey, they are presented with all of the aspects of a name change and
the advantages and disadvantages that were found in the two local companies mentioned
above. They then will be asked the simple question of whether or not they think the name
should be changed with either a yes or a no based off of the information they
received and whether or not they think it will benefit the company.
Results
Thirty of our 40 employees/administration members voted in favor of changing our
businesss name based off of the information they received. These results are visualized
in the chart below.
Chart 1

Should we change our buisness's name?

No
25%
Yes
75%

Discussion of Results
As is shown in Chart 1, 30 of our 40 employees/administration members, or 75%, agreed
that we should change our name based on the information they where given and the
conclusion that they believed it would benefit the company. This significant vote for
yes could greatly be based off of advantages shown in changing the names in the two
previously mentioned local companies.
Conclusion
Because of the results shown in the chart above, we can conclude that it is in our best
interest to change the company name and need to be focusing on the next steps that need
to be completed in order to accomplish this change.
Recommendations

As our company is working on these next steps to be successful in a name change, we

need to highlight the importance of how our new name will affect and benefit our
costumers and community members.

Subject: Company Name Change

Dear all,
As you are aware, we have been in the process of researching and processing information
to be able to implement a huge change in our company through changing our company
name and trademark. We could not have made this decision without every single one of
you all, and greatly appreciate your patience and input throughout this tedious process.
Through this name change, we will be able to expand and better our company. This
expansion cannot take place without the name change due to conflicts with trademark
infringements that were discovered in possible sales areas.
On Monday, May 30th, our name will officially change and our company will be referred
to as Pirate Disk Golf. During this, we ask that all employees start using this name to
establish our brand and present a smooth transition not only within our business but also
throughout the community. To help with this transition, our administrative members will
be working on ways to get the new name out and will be available to answer any
questions that you have.
The name change will not affect the workings of the business in any way. All employee
contracts will remain the same along with our policies and beloved merchandise. We
appreciate all of you and are very grateful for your hard work. Without it, we would not
have been able to move forward in out business endeavors and expand to be able to reach
more people.
We would appreciate support and positive outlooks as we go through this transition to
better our business and community.
Thank you,
Ms. Alexis Wilber
Sales Associate
Pirate Disc Golf

Dear Valued Customer,

We are pleased to announce that PeeDees Disk Golf, inc. will be changing
names! Starting on Monday, May 30th, 2016, we will officially be referred to as Pirate
Disk Golf. Even though our name is changing, we will still be present in the community
and continue to provide our loyal costumers with the great merchandise and quality
service that they know and expect.
We would appreciate your valued support throughout this transition and hope to
see you at our summer bash Monday, May 30th, 2016. This day long, family-friendly
event will include food, games, and up to 20% off of our disk golf merchandise. As
always, thank you for your continued business and great support.
Sincerely,
Alexis Wilber
Sales Associate, PeeDees Disk Golf, inc.