Why Blueshift?
Blueshift Research has turned to the academic principles of market research techniques to give its clients an edge and to increase their likelihood of making the right decisions. This process, called pattern mining, uses three main principles to create a new approach in the market research world.
First, pattern mining uses the tools of all the above research techniques and then overlays them with the principles of the late Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon’s artificial intelligence approach to sorting information. According to Wikipedia, Simon said “becoming an expert required about 10 years of experience, and he and his colleagues estimated that expertise was the result of learning roughly 50,000 chunks of information.” This overlay of using such experts to sort through relevant primary and secondary information on related company and industry topics is one of the three major premises on which Blueshift Research is created.
The second major principle is that independent unique data points stating the same thing are much more important than quantity of data as a whole in predicting what might happen. In most market research techniques – whether key word searches on the Web or surveys of respondents regarding company issues – the higher the quantity of data, the higher the quality.
Blueshift turns this theory around, stating, “More important than the quantity of similar answers is the independence of where the answers are coming from.” Or simply put, totally independent data sources or data points not independent of each other.
Blueshift Research uses this proprietary pattern mining process in three ways to increase clients’ chances of finding unique, investable information:
First, to uncover exclusive ideas or updates that, with additional work, could lead to investable actions;
Second, to confirm these ideas with enough unique sources to have a very high probablity of correctness and relevance;
And, third, to take our clients’ investment ideas and perform proprietary work with independent data points to determine the research’s accuracy based on a variety of independent sources.
What We Do
Blueshift Research is a new, fundamental market research approach for investors. We believe our approach supersedes one-dimensional market research tools such as surveys, expert networks, and Web search systems, and we have taken great care to construct our process, using the highest standards of market research ethics and journalistic integrity.
We also believe that providing ethical, quality, and unbiased investment research from independent sources allows clients to confirm or dispute information from company representatives and Wall Street analysts, thus providing a competitive edge.
Our Proprietary Pattern Mining Process Uses Four Main Concepts:
1. We constantly screen for data on unique and controversial ideas that could lead to investable action, and utilize market research professionals to sort through relevant data for uniqueness.
2. We use a proprietary method to measure the independence of our data, as academic research confirms that independent data points stating the same thing are much more important than the quantity of data as a whole.
3. Our structured approach to actively seek data from independent sources yields much more unique information than Web data mining, surveys or expert networks.
4. The final result is a mosaic of primary research that is achieved by gumshoe investigative work that also could be achieved by the “common man,” which alleviates the concern of being at risk for liability under insider trading laws.
Blueshift constantly screens for data on unique and controversial ideas that currently are at the forefront of Wall Street thinking (or are being overlooked), and we keep a list of 25 companies/issues for which we think we can add unique value. This list is constantly being updated and averages five to seven new ideas per month. Our ideas are developed through our proprietary sources, expert discussions and our clients’ interests. We also do customized, exclusive work for our clients.
Blueshift researchers are part investigative journalist, part trendsetter, part analyst, and they adhere at all times to rigorous ethical principles. They clearly identify themselves as trend researchers of Blueshift Research and disclose that they are conducting research on behalf of institutional investors. They gather information from nontraditional sources such as customers, suppliers, competitors, vendors and industry specialists and assemble that information into our timely reports.
Blueshift sources are not paid and generally will not/do not speak with clients or their associates directly. We do not act as “matchmakers” between company/industry sources and our clients. There is no direct source attribution within our research product, unless specifically requested by a source.
Compliance Protocols
Blueshift Research conducts research in a variety of industry segments, both regulated and unregulated, and interacts with a broad range of market participants, including consumers; firms and individuals at every stage of the supply and production chain; industry advisers; investment advisers; and broker dealers. Blueshift believes that having a strong compliance program that addresses proper employee business conduct can help mitigate the risk of potential legal actions.
1. Trend Researchers do not steal or otherwise misappropriate information or property of any kind. This includes confidential, material and nonpublic information.
2. Trend Researchers always seek to avoid situations in which the subject of a Blueshift interview provides information that constitutes breach of a fiduciary duty owed to an employer or a duty of confidentiality owed to a third party.
3. Trend Researchers do not knowingly pass on information that is false or deceptive.
At the outset of an interview, Trend Researchers are required to engage in a brief and preliminary discussion with every Interviewee, so as to ensure that the Interviewee understands the types of information the Company wishes to receive, as well as the types of information Blueshift does not wish to receive.
We emphasize knowledge that is able to be gotten by the common man and make ourTrend Researchers understand that if confidentiality agreements are signed by suppliers, distributors or delivery services we cannot breach those contracts.
Blueshift does not seek out material and nonpublic information, nor does the Company seek to include material and nonpublic information in the reports which it provides to third parties. Trend Researchers must use their best judgment and are required to contact the Compliance Officer whenever there is a doubt as to whether certain information exposes potential liability for the Company or its clients or consumers. If a Trend Researcher receives questionable data from a source, Blueshift Research manages each instance on a case-by-case basis. Possible outcomes include cancelling the entire report or eliminating the questionable data from the existing report.
The Compliance Officer shall certify each Blueshift report for submission to Blueshift clients or consumers.
Blueshift Research strictly forbids all forms of financial compensation of its sources. The Company’s goal is to create an unbiased research product for its clients.
Bill Jenks
Chief Executive Officer
Arizona State University, B.A. in Finance & Economics Off The Record Research, Institutional Sales; DLJ; First Call; Merrill Lynch Funds 617-244-4960
Seth Agulnick
Director of Research
New York University, B.A. in Journalism Worked as a reporter at daily newspapers in Massachusetts, New York, and suburban Philadelphia.
David Franklin
Senior Editor
Lycoming College, B.A. in Political Science Off The Record Research, Proprietary researcher; sales, management, and human services.
John Harrington
Senior Researcher/Technology and Networking
Reporter and editor in print, wire service, television and radio. Specialized in investigative, technology, and environmental reporting. Joined Off The Record Research in 2001 where he delivered technology research to financial clients through 2013, before joining Blueshift Research.
Tony Bowers
Sales
Bob White
Sales