Welcome to Hiestermann & Frömchen GmbH - the first market research institute in Germany to be certified according to the criteria of the Common Good Economy!
Our company is evolving:
In June 2023, we became the first German market research institute and the first company in the district of Gießen to be certified according to criteria of the Common Good Economy (ECG) for environmentally conscious, social and transparent action:
From mid-2022 to mid-2023, whenever day-to-day business allowed, we examined the contents of our first common good balance sheet intensively. During this time, we asked ourselves questions, some of which we had not asked ourselves before, and in the process gained some exciting new insights and developed answers.
Now that our balance sheet has been audited and we have successfully completed our first ‘ECG round’, we can state that the decision was good and right and has given us important ideas for the coming years.
Contact us at any time – we will be happy to report on our experiences and are available to answer any questions you may have on this topic:
Phone: +49 641 39929659 | E-mail: info@hiestermann-froemchen.de
What exactly is Economy for the common good?
ECG is an alternative, ethical economic model developed by the Austrian Christian Felber in 2010. It is about doing business for the sustainable well-being of people, animals and the environment instead of striving for profit maximisation and dividends.
All companies and institutions that draw up a common good balance sheet for themselves undergo a 360° analysis of their business, in which compliance with values such as human dignity, solidarity, ecological sustainability, social justice, democratic co-determination and transparency is examined. The common good balance includes the social environment, i.e. customers and suppliers, competitors and future generations.
The respective performance of the company is assessed by an independent auditor using a point system in order to classify the extent to which the values have already been implemented in practice, what negative aspects still exist and what potential for improvement exists.
You can find our common good balance here:
ECG element: Employees
It was jointly decided by all employees to draw up an ECG balance sheet. In addition, one employee played a decisive role in the preparation of the report together with the management. This led to a higher level of identification with our company among our employees.
The ECG thus forms a substantive framework for the employees that goes beyond joint work. It is important to all employees to live and act in an environmentally conscious way, all experience the social orientation of the company and all employees are much better informed about the company’s goals.
How we want to improve further:
We want to introduce a “Social Day” on which our employees directly support a charitable organisation during their working hours (e.g. food distribution at the Tafel).
ECG element: Suppliers
The analysis of the cooperation with our suppliers carried out within the framework of the ECG balance sheet has shown us how important the long-term and trusting cooperation with partners is. Almost all suppliers have been closely associated with us for many years – in some cases for 20 years. Our customers therefore benefit from well-established processes and impeccable communication.
How we want to improve further:
We want to source our electricity from certified green electricity suppliers and will talk to our suppliers about the background and framework conditions of ECG.
ECG element: Owners and financial partners
Our company has never needed outside capital in the 10 years of its existence and will not need any in the future. This means that we have complete control over the use of funds according to ECG criteria. It is important to us that our financial service provider is also aligned with ECG criteria.
How we want to improve further:
We are preparing to change from our current bank, Sparkasse, to a more community-oriented bank.
ECG element: Customers and other companies
As part of the ECG certification, we analysed the distribution of our turnover according to the duration of the customer relationship.
The result: in 2021, we made almost three quarters of our turnover with companies and institutions with which we have had a business relationship for at least 10 years – loyalty and continuity in action.
How we want to improve further:
We want to make time budgets for pro bono projects available to our staff, e.g. for institutions that cannot afford the costs of surveys or market research or can only afford them to a lesser extent.
In addition, we want to further reduce the share of projects that are critical under ECG criteria, even though it is already below 10 %.
ECG element: Social environment
Our social commitment is to be expanded through the common good economy. We are therefore available to other companies, especially in the district of Gießen, to share our experiences with the ECG certification. In this way, we want to contribute to spreading the values of the ECG.
How we want to improve further:
We want to reduce our annual CO2 emissions as much as possible and offset the remaining emissions – even if they are comparatively low.
Market Research
…in our understanding is based on listening: First to you, then to your target groups. You only can understand if you listen carefully.
We understand: Therefore we can act accordingly – result-oriented – for a better research and more valid results.
Focused
We know the markets in which we operate and the methods we use. We ask relevant questions to get to the heart of things. Asking relevant questions means receiving relevant answers – market research in a nutshell.
Committed
We are curious by nature; always trying to get to the bottom of things. Therefore, we are looking forward to new tasks that challenge us. Because we want to cut through complex matters and make them understandable.
Sustainable
We strive to be close to our customers and ensure long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty. We want to build and maintain close, sustainable relationships, from which both sides will benefit in the end.
Responsible
We are accessible for you in every step of the way. And we respond. Overseeing your project and minding every little detail in close dialogue with you: This is the value we add to make it good market research.
Our roots
We are market researchers at heart. And have been for over 20 years.
Before we founded Hiestermann & Frömchen at the beginning of 2013, we both worked with other market research institutes, building up our experience base, which we are happy to make available to you. Because “nothing beats experience”.
Our team
We are passionate about our work ...
- because we work as a team. We understand each other, exchange, contribute and develop ideas together.
- because we can rely on each other. We work hand in hand.
- because it is always exciting to be able to work in new markets, on new content and with new methodological approaches.
- because we have a network of partners built up over two decades that provides us with maximum support and is always there for us and for you.
Our drive
We are curious: about new topics, about new questions, about new methods, about our customers:
- We are specialists for markets. We are particularly knowledgeable in Healthcare/Pharma, ICT/Web and Automotive as well as in the public/semi-public sector.
- We know that every customer and every challenge is individual and must be approached in a customer-specific way.
- We balance project work: the perfect mix of knowledge, overview and detail plus communication with the client is key.
Our services
The respective expertise of the two founders and managing directors covers the full spectrum of market research:
Qualitative
In-depth research with small numbers to understand the reason why and uncover underlying motivations.
Quantitative
Large numbers for representativeness to identify structures and compare data over time.
Market Analysis
Analysis of existing data, enriched with expert interviews, to describe markets and trends.
Our experiences
20 years in market research has been a long time:
We’ve had time to gain intensive experience in a wide range of industries.
Municipal and public IT service providers
Health/Pharma
Social Insurance Funds
Tech, Web, Social Media, IT
Mobility and Automotive
FMCG
Construction and Crafts
Social Accident Insurance Institution
For more information about our experience in various industries, please contact us.
We look forward to working with you
Tell us what you want or need to know more about. We are happy to submit our thoughts and ideas on how we can shed light on your problem. And together we will develop the research you need. No more and no less. We look forward to hearing from you!
Privacy Policy
The protection of your personal data has always been and will always be a vital interest at H&F. You can rest assured that
- your data is safe with us.
- personal data is only used within the scope of the corresponding study and is deleted afterwards.
- all processes run in compliance with GDPR.
Contact us
- Zu den Mühlen 19, 35390 Gießen
- info@hiestermann-froemchen.de
- +49 (0) 641 39929659
Our Commitment
We believe even a small company has a social responsibility. Since our founding, it has therefore always been important to us to live up to this responsibility.
We try to live up to this conviction not only through the social commitment of our managing directors, but also through regular donations to regional organizations/institutions such as the premature infant wards in Marburg or Giessen, the association Eltern helfen Eltern e. V., the Ronald McDonald house in Giessen, as well as international organisations such as BRAVE AURORA and offical supporter of bandsupporter etc.
We at our location in Giessen at the beautiful Lahn!
