Continuing Education

May 2012

Flavor Spectrum Descriptive Analysis

This course is a “how to taste” course and will cover, in depth, the components of descriptive flavor analysis; the characteristics (qualitative), the intensity (quantitative), the timing (temporal), and overall impressions, etc. Attention will be given to the physiology of taste and olfaction, and application of descriptive analysis to the evaluation of specific products. Upon completion of this course, participants will have gained an understanding of the physiology and the process of learning the flavors for a specific product category. Participants will have had an opportunity to practice tasting several types of products and thus understand how, with a common lexicon and a common intensity scale, individuals can communicate clearly and similarly about flavors.

Location: Sensory Spectrum, 554 Central Avenue, New Providence, New Jersey, United States
From: May 15, 2012 to May 18, 2012
Offered by: Sensory Spectrum
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: $ 2,450 USD

Further information: See page 10 in the 2012 Course Booklet; http://www.sensoryspectrum.com/docs/SensorySpectrum2012CourseBooklet.pdf

A Powerful Framework for Sensory Product Testing

In this 2-day course, you will achieve a deeper understanding of traditional discrimination and rating methods by learning a common framework in which to interpret results across methodologies. In particular, you will learn how to select the most suitable and powerful discrimination methodology based on project objectives, how to develop standards to detect when sensory differences and ratings exceed a consumer-relevant acceptability threshold, how to assess and manage risks in product testing decisions, and effectively use the “no preference/difference” option. Invited speaker, Frank Rossi, Associate Director of Applied Quantitative Sciences at Kraft Foods, will talk about issues in risk management in product testing.

Location: The Radisson BLU EU, Brussels, Belgium
From: May 21, 2012 to May 22, 2012
Offered by: The Institute for Perception
Target audience: Intermediate
Cost: €750; 50% discount applied to each additional registrant from the same company, Academic discount available

Further information: http://ifpress.com/short-courses/

Targeting the Consumer II: Advanced Consumer Science for New Product Development and Choice Trials

The sequel to Targeting the Consumer I. This course aims to give you the latest knowledge and tools from across sensory, consumer, psychological and statistical sciences to ensure your work is at the forefront of methodology. After an update session detailing how the science has moved on in relation to the topics we covered in Targeting I, we examine more aspects of the New Product Development process. In the next three sessions we examine tools and theory to help Sensory and Consumer Insights staff integrate their work into the Marketing process. In the final session we examine recent developments in choice modelling, and see how consumer science is addressing the analysis of cross-cultural trials. A key feature of Targeting I courses was the time and value given to participants' discussion. This will be continued in this course. In every hour at least 15 minutes will be devoted to discussion and/or exercises. The small class size will also encourage interaction among participants, and between participants and instructors. Discussion is also encouraged during group lunches and dinner.

Location: Microtek Labs, 230 W. Monroe, Suite 550, Chicago, Illinois, United States
From: May 22, 2012 to May 24, 2012
Offered by: Dr. Hal MacFie Consulting
Target audience: Advanced
Cost: $2400 USD; 25% discount for members of academia

Further information: http://www.halmacfie.com/pages/chicagomay2012.html

Drivers of Liking® and Product Portfolio Optimization

Learn to “see” the market from your consumers’ perspective as you develop an understanding of similarity, Drivers of Liking,® and Landscape Segmentation Analysis.® In this 2.5-day course, you will actively: Construct maps with products and consumer ideal points and identify products’ strengths and weaknesses using descriptive and analytical data; Understand the limitations of internal preference mapping based on 27 category appraisals conducted at a major consumer products company; Find consumer segments using individual ideals; Use mapping results to improve existing products and conduct computer-aided design of new products. Invited speaker, Dr. Kevin Blot of Unilever, will show applications of LSA in new introductions.

Location: The Radisson BLU EU, Brussels, Belgium
From: May 23, 2012 to May 25, 2012
Offered by: The Institute for Perception
Target audience: Intermediate
Cost: €950; 50% discount applied to each additional registrant from the same company, Academic discount available

Further information: http://ifpress.com/short-courses/

Hands on Path Analysis and Bayesian Networks Analysis

PATH analysis and Bayesian Networks analysis enable scientists to uncover and test the existence of complex networks of relationships in data. One example would be to model how appearance variables influence texture or flavour attributes and how these then determine liking. Another application would be to model how expectations derived from knowledge of the brand or packaging cues influence product choice, the consumption experience, and preference and satisfaction. The two approaches are distinct but complementary. Attendees will learn about PATH analysis and how to analyse the data using the XLSTAT PATH PLS algorithm. The concept of Bayesian networks analysis and its application to uncovering inter relationships between consumer and sensory measures of product characteristics will be introduced and the attendees will gain hands on experience using the software package HUGIN Explorer.

Location: Microtek Labs, 230 W. Monroe, Suite 550, Chicago, Illinois, United States
From: May 29, 2012 to June 1, 2012
Offered by: Dr. Hal MacFie Consulting
Target audience: Advanced
Cost: $1900 USD; 25% discount for members of academia

Further information: http://www.halmacfie.com/pages/chicago29may2012.html