Tip for Conducting the Interview

Before the Interview:

1. Wear presentable clothing.
2. Be prepared and master the interview by conducting a mock interview with fellow SWG
Members.
3. Set up an appointment with the identified interviewee.
4. Be punctual.
5. Agree who will conduct the interview. (At most, three SWG Members per interview
including the note-taker to be assigned)
6. Bring the interview guide, notebook and pen and tape recorder (optional).

During the interview:

1. Introduce yourself (your organization).
2. State your purpose.
3. Be sure that the interviewee has time for the interview or arrange for the better time.
4. Ask permission from the interviewee for the interview to be recorded. If not, ask
somebody from your team to be a note-taker.
5. Always respect an interviewee’s time; do not take more than 15 minutes. (Note: Having a
recorder and assistant recorder assigned saves time.)
6. If interviewing in a market, stop questions when the person is dealing with a costumer.
7. Stress confidentiality.
8. Ask simple and clear questions.
9. Be friendly and relaxed.
10. Be prepared to listen and learn.
11. Ask the most sensitive questions last (related to detailed business transactions).
12. Avoid leading questions.
13. Always thank them for the participation in the interview. Explore the possibility of
future partnership.

After the interview:

1. Review and process the data.
2. Present to the SWG Members.
3. Highlight and significant findings;
4. Product quality,
5. Preferred packaging,
6. Buying frequency,
7. Buying price,
8. Price range – past 12 months,
9. Preferred payment arrangement,
10. Other important information.