Conducting Interviews
Gathering information for many cases involves conducting interviews. To make the most of the interviews, be prepared. Prior to the interview:
- Conduct background research. Become knowledgeable about the industry, company, and/or individual(s) so that you can spend the interview discussing issues for which information is not available elsewhere. The interviewee will appreciate the background knowledge that you bring to the interview and you will be able to gather more detailed and relevant information and opinions that will help you develop the case.
- Identify what information you would like to gather. What information do you need for the case? What type of information will the interviewee be able to provide? What are your goals for the interview? You may find it helpful to draft a list of the topics you want to cover or the questions you want to ask.
- Check with the interviewee if it would be helpful for you to send a list of questions in advance of the interview. Some interviewees like this so that they can gather information and prepare for the interview. This might also help confirm whether the interviewee is the right person to answer your questions. Other interviewees will prefer that you not send questions in advance as they are extremely busy and would rather wait for the interview.
- Confirm the date and the time a day or two in advance. Interviewees are often busy and confirming the interview can save both you and the interviewee time and inconvenience.
- If you would like to tape record the interview, ask permission of the interviewee at the start of the interview, prior to turning on the tape recorder.
- If needed, be prepared to ask the interviewee for referrals to other people with whom you can speak or sources for finding information.
At the end of the interview:
- Thank the interviewee for his or her time.
- Ask if you can follow up if you have additional questions or need to clarify information as you write the case. You might want to check whether to do this by phone, e-mail, or other.
- Explain that you will send the interviewee an e-mail to confirm any quotes you use from the interview. If the interviewee is your main contact at the organization, explain that you will send a final draft of the case for review and you will be asking him or her to sign a “company release form,” giving the GSB permission to use the case.
Borrowing a Tape Recorder
Tape recording an interview allows you to focus on the discussion while being sure that you are collecting all of the information. Prior to begining the interview, ask an interviewee for permission to tape record—you may only tape record the interview if the interviewee agrees. Check out a mini cassette recorder for 2-3 days by coming to the Case Writing Department Office in Room S305A. Telephone 650.723.5776 or email Jiranee Tongudai to arrange to borrow one. Tapes and batteries are provided. If you prefer to use your own recorder we will also provide you with tapes and batteries.
Interview Transcription
If you need a transcription of the interview(s), please submit your interview tapes to Jiranee Tongudai. She will send the tapes to the transcription services. Please provide information regarding case title, interviewee's name, your e-mail address and telephone number. The transcription will be returned to you by e-mail. Normal turnaround time will be about 5-7 days. We use two transcription services: Tigerfish and Escriptionist. Details about their services can be found at Tigerfish.com and Escriptionist.com.
Arranging a Conference Call
Conference calls can be arranged using Link Conference Service. To arrange a conference call, contact Angelee Anderson either by e-mail or at 1-800-287-9849 ext. 3434 or call the Link main number at 1-800-287-9849. Please tell the Link representative that you are with Stanford University - GSB and give them the billing reference (contact Jiranee Tongudai to request the PTAEO/billing reference number for CWO).
International participants: If conference call participants will be calling in from outside of the United States, let the Link representative know as you set up the conference call so that you can be assigned an international call-in number.
Recording the Conference Call: Link can also record your conversation. Give the Link representative 24 hour notice so that recording can be arranged and request that the recording be sent to you electronically (.wav file). Please remember that you must notify conference call participants if you are recording the conversation and obtain their permission.
Multiple Conference Calls: For CWO staff or other writers who need to conduct multiple conference calls, Link can assign a standing dial-in number and passcode that can be accessed 24/7 without a reservation. Please note that the dial-in number assigned will be for domestic conference call participants only unless you request otherwise. If you are assigned a domestic dial-in number and need to arrange for a participant calling from outside of the United States, contact Angelee Anderson (see above) for assistance. If you would like to have a conference call recorded on your standing dial-in number, you will also need to let Link know approximately 24 hours in advance.
