PRECISION INSIGHTS

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Interview Guidelines for Confidential Due Diligence and Market Research

Reading time: 4 minutes
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PURPOSE
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This guide explains how to conduct detailed, professional confidential interviews for due diligence and market research, with essential requirements in each section.

Before each assignment begins you receive:

  • Example of completed source list

  • Example of successful assignment

  • Template to insert direct source quotes from your reporting

You will be supervised by a project manager throughout a project. The project manager will also do the quality control and editing of your final transcripts.

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PROJECT TERMS
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  • Assignments offered at short notice based on demand

  • Project deadlines typically 2-3 weeks

  • Each assignment requires 4-10 interviews

  • Independent freelance work basis

  • Weekly payment (Friday) via international remittance or bank transfer

  • Invoice required after project completion

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CORE REQUIREMENTS
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1. Strict confidentiality
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  • Treat each project as a discreet, independent assignment

  • Keep all sources anonymous

  • Never list this freelance work on CVs, professional networks, or any platform

  • Never represent yourself as affiliated with or employed by Precision Insights

  • Never publish or share findings

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2. Professional Ethics
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  • Never pay sources for information

  • Never offer incentives

  • Follow all local and international laws

  • Work independently

  • Maintain professional standards

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3. Information Sources
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❌PROHIBITED SOURCES:

  • News articles

  • Websites

  • Company reports

  • Published materials

  • Social media

  • Public documents

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ASSIGNMENT PROCESS
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Step 1: Project Start (Day 1)
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  • Review project questions thoroughly

  • Sign required contracts:

    • General framework contract (confidentiality, ethics, dispute resolution, payment terms)

    • Statement of work (questions, budget, payment schedule)

  • Receive example source list for reference

  • Receive template to insert direct source quotes and completed assignment for reference

  • Confirm understanding with project manager

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Step 2: Source Selection (Days 1-2)
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REQUIRED SOURCE LIST FORMAT:

✔ PROFESSIONAL EXAMPLE: "Financial Controller at XXX Mining Corporation, 13 years' experience. Directly manages operational budgets and supplier payments. My professional contact through Chamber of Commerce since 2019. Has specific knowledge of new payment systems and local content requirements."

❌ INSUFFICIENT EXAMPLE: "Manager who knows about mining" (Too vague, missing details)

✔ PROFESSIONAL EXAMPLE: "Ministry of Mining official who directly manages the specific permit process being researched"

❌ INSUFFICIENT EXAMPLE: "Source generally knows about the industry"

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REQUIRED SOURCE DETAILS:

  • Exact current position

  • Direct knowledge of topic (Example: "Personally manages the permit process being researched")

  • Professional relationship (Example: "Regular contact through industry meetings")

  • Duration of connection (Example: "Known professionally since 2019")

  • Relevant expertise (Example: "Direct oversight of local content requirements")

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Step 3: Interviewing
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Time Requirements

  • Submit source list: Within 2 days of receiving questions

  • First interview: Within 3 days of source list approval

  • Submit first interview: Immediately after completion

  • Await feedback before conducting more interviews

  • Complete remaining interviews: Within 2 weeks of source list approval

  • Follow-up responses: Within 48 hours of request

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Documentation Requirements

RECORDING AND QUOTES:

  • Record interview if permitted

  • Transcribe exact words spoken by source

  • If recording not permitted, take detailed notes and write up exact quotes immediately after

  • Do not summarise or paraphrase

  • Include complete statements only, not partial quotes

✔ RIGHT: "In March 2024, we installed five new processing units. I personally supervised the installation and can confirm this increased our daily capacity from 200 to 290 containers."

❌WRONG: The source said they "increased capacity" through new installations.

❌WRONG: Capacity increased due to new installations.

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LANGUAGE:

  • Conduct interview in source's preferred language

  • Note the language used at start of each interview, e.g. [INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED IN SWAHILI]

  • Translate accurately to English or French

  • Keep key technical terms in original language with translation in brackets

✔ RIGHT: "We use the 'guichet unique' [single window] system"

❌ WRONG: Just translating without original term

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Information Categories

DIRECT KNOWLEDGE (What source personally did/saw):

✔ RIGHT: "I personally reviewed 45 permit applications in March 2024. I approved 30 and rejected 15 due to incomplete documentation."

INDIRECT KNOWLEDGE (What source heard from others):

✔ RIGHT: "The permit office director told me yesterday that his team processed 100 applications last month."

INTERVIEWER ANALYSIS (Your added context):

✔ RIGHT: [INTERVIEWER COMMENT: This new permit processing system was implemented after the mining code reforms of January 2024.]

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Converting General Responses

❌ GENERAL RESPONSE: "The permit process is better now."

HOW TO GET SPECIFICS:

  • "How exactly is it better? Can you give me specific examples?"

  • "What specific changes have you personally observed?"

  • "Can you walk me through the old process versus the new one?"

  • "What measurable improvements have you seen?"

  • “When specifically did this happen?”

  • “Who was directly involved?”

❌ GENERAL STATEMENT: "Things are improving in the sector"

✔ REQUIRED SPECIFIC DETAIL: "I personally supervised the installation of three new processing units in February 2024, increasing our capacity by 45%"

❌ GENERAL RESPONSE: "We have good relationships with suppliers"

✔ REQUIRED RESPONSE: "I meet monthly with our 12 main suppliers. In the last quarter, we resolved delivery delays with 3 suppliers by implementing a new tracking system that I personally oversee."

Note: Replace sources who lack required knowledge or are unresponsive.

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EXAMPLE OF GETTING TO SPECIFICS:

Initial response: "The system works better now."
Q: "How exactly is it better?"
A: "Well, it's faster."
Q: "How much faster specifically?"
A: "I can now process a permit in 3 days instead of 10 days."
Q: "When did this change happen?"
A: "We implemented the new system in March 2024."
Q: "How many permits have you personally processed under this new system?"
A: "I've handled 45 permits myself since March."

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Step 4: Quality Control & Editing
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  • Deliver specific, first-hand insights

  • Attribute all indirect information to original sources

  • Promptly complete follow-up interviews if requested for precision, clarity, and context

  • Follow template format precisely

  • Note: Advanced software checks for prohibited public material

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TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS
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  • Use template exactly as provided and insert direct source quotes

  • Complete all sections - do not leave any blank

  • Mark your comments clearly as [INTERVIEWER COMMENT: xxx]

  • Note interview language at start of each interview

  • Highlight follow-up responses in blue colour

Your project manager will provide specific guidance throughout each assignment.