Finding a firm that actually knows how to talk to people is harder than it looks. Most data companies just throw spreadsheets at you and call it a day. But Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc—now more commonly known as ANA Research—has spent the last fifty years doing the opposite. They specialize in the kind of research that actually changes how a business operates.
It’s weird.
In a world obsessed with AI and automated bots, these folks still lean heavily into the human element of data. They’ve been around since 1974. Think about that for a second. They started back when "data collection" meant physical clipboards and rotary phones. Now, they’re navigating the complex world of healthcare analytics and consumer behavior in 2026.
The Evolution of Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc
Let's be real: most people don't think about market research until they're losing money.
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You’ve got a product, it’s not selling, and you don’t know why. That’s usually when a firm like Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc gets the call. Based out of Minneapolis, they built a reputation for being the "researcher's researcher." They weren't just the flashy agency; they were the ones doing the heavy lifting for government agencies, healthcare giants, and major nonprofits.
Things changed recently, though.
In early 2024, the company was acquired by The DRG (The Dieringer Research Group). It was a big deal in the industry. John Steinlicht, who was the President and CEO of ANA at the time, basically said he wanted to ensure his team was taken care of while keeping the high standards their clients expected. It wasn't just a corporate buyout; it was a merger of two firms that had already been dating for years. They’d partnered on massive healthcare and insurance projects long before the paperwork was signed.
Why Healthcare Firms Keep Calling Them
If you’re running a hospital or a health insurance plan, your data needs are... intense. You aren't just looking for "customer satisfaction." You’re looking for why a patient didn't follow a treatment plan or why a specific demographic is avoiding a new clinic.
Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc carved out a massive niche here.
They don't just do surveys. They do "deep dives" into the rational and emotional factors that drive human behavior. For example, they once helped a federal agency figure out why Americans were struggling to stay insured. It wasn't just about the money. It was about the "key barriers"—the mental blocks and red tape that stop people from getting help.
They use a mix of:
- Quantitative Research: The hard numbers, the percentages, the "how many."
- Qualitative Research: The "why." The focus groups where people actually talk.
- Advanced Analytics: Finding patterns in the mess.
What They Actually Do (Beyond the Buzzwords)
Kinda sounds like every other consulting firm, right? Not exactly.
The difference is in the execution. Most agencies use "off-the-shelf" survey templates. If you’ve ever taken a boring 20-minute survey that felt like it was written by a robot, you know what I mean. ANA Research focuses on custom-designed projects.
They once worked with a famous hospital that was building a multi-use facility. Instead of just asking, "Do you like this building?" they tested the entire concept. They looked at how people would navigate the space and what would make them feel comfortable. That's the stuff that saves millions of dollars in construction mistakes.
Not Just for the Big Guys
While they handle massive government contracts, they’ve also worked with the "Minnesota Gizmo Company" (a classic case study of theirs) to figure out how age affects gadget adoption. They mirrored the state's actual age distribution to make sure the data wasn't skewed toward tech-savvy teenagers.
Honestly, that’s where most DIY research fails. If you only talk to your existing customers, you’re in an echo chamber. Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc specializes in finding the people who aren't talking to you yet.
The Reality of Working with ANA Research
Is it all sunshine and perfect data? Probably not.
If you look at industry feedback, the consensus is pretty clear. They’re expensive. They aren't the budget option you find on a freelance site. They’re the firm you hire when the stakes are high. Some clients have mentioned that their availability for "emergency" projects can be a bit tight because they’re usually booked out with long-term partnerships.
But you get what you pay for.
- Accuracy: They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- Longevity: Fifty years in business doesn't happen by accident.
- Integration: Since joining The DRG, they have more resources. They can now tap into "Experience Fusion," a service that connects customer experience (CX) with employee experience (EX).
How to Use Their Insights for Your Own Business
You might not have the budget to hire a firm like Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc today, but you can steal their mindset. Most businesses fail because they guess. They guess what the customer wants. They guess why the website isn't converting.
Stop guessing.
Start by looking at your data through two lenses. First, the What. (Your Google Analytics, your sales reports). Second, the Why. (Actually calling five customers and asking them what they hated about the checkout process).
That second part is what ANA has mastered.
Practical Steps to Improve Your Market Intelligence
- Vary Your Sample: Don't just ask your fans. Find the people who cancelled their subscription and ask them why. That’s where the real growth is.
- Watch the Emotions: People buy for emotional reasons and justify it with logic. If your research only asks logical questions, you're missing half the story.
- Think Long-Term: One survey is a snapshot. A research program is a movie. You need to see how opinions change over six months, not just one afternoon.
The transition of Anderson Niebuhr & Associates Inc into the broader DRG ecosystem marks the end of an era for the independent Minneapolis firm, but it also signals a shift in how research is done. It’s no longer just about "collecting data." It’s about "experience management."
If you're looking to dive deeper into how they handle complex healthcare data or want to see their specific methodologies, your best bet is to check out their current home at TheDRG.com. They’ve moved most of their legacy case studies there, and it’s a goldmine for anyone who actually cares about the science of why people do what they do.
To get started with your own research overhaul, audit your last three customer surveys. If they don't ask at least one open-ended "Why?" question, throw them out and start over. That's the Anderson Niebuhr way.