The BMW Experience Apple Way

BMW Experience Apple

Did you ever walk into a shop with a genuine curiosity about a new product, just to be driven out by the hard sell of an over enthusiastic sales person? Well, if u don’t like this way, the BMW experience in the Apple way is for you!

Was it in a car dealership? If so, you’re not the only one, as the pressure to meet monthly sales targets results in an uncomfortable experience for many customers.

That being said, it almost certainly wasn’t in an Apple shop, where their Geniuses help and support you, not push you.

BMW is one of the car companies that has learned from this and is now applying their own take on the Genius programme. They are putting tech savvy staff in the dealership to give the customer the information they need to be able to make their own decisions. Allowing the customer to feel they have 100% of the information required to commit to that great new product.

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The automotive industry is going through a transformation, bringing customer satisfaction to the fore from the first point of contact.

At Bare International, we are ensuring that transformation meets the needs of the demanding customer like you. We make sure the car brands get the information they need to make the transformation happen.

Key for the research is our Evaluators.

As an Evaluator you go out and give us feedback on how the car dealers are handling the customer experience. Act as a potential customer who is interested in buying a new car. You evaluate the service and have fun doing your test drives.

  • Flexible days and times to choose from.
  • You can visit multiple dealers.
  • All missions are paid.

You need to have a driver’s license and be between 21-65 years of age.

Once you’ve registered we’ll help you schedule your visits.

 

 

Check locations and payment

Evaluator Mystery Shopping at Bare International

 

Bare International Automotive Industry

CO-BRANDING: HOW BRANDS KEEP STAYING UNIQUE

cascoProducts are no longer what they once were. Co-branding isn’t the newest hit in town; but nowadays it appears to be all around.

The concept of co-branding hit the roof in the autumn of 2004 when Karl Lagerfeld designed a  one-off collection for H&M and made his exclusive designs available for the crowd. Soon thereafter, many other collaborations followed within the fashion industry such as Stella McCartney for Adidas or Katie Grand for Hogan.

This new way of collaborating across brands entered a whole new level when we started to see trans-market conjunctions. Fashion brands got influenced by other industries such as sports, food and drinks or entertainment.

We saw David Beckham rolling out his underwear with H&M while Karl Lagerfeld jumped into the soda industry with Coca Cola. In the more  premium bubbles industry we saw Swarovski shining together with Möet & Chandon while Pucci mingled with Veuve Cliquot.

In the mobile manufacturing industry, Dolce & Gabbana took a stand with Motorola and Versace for Nokia.

How about the automotive industry? Karl Lagerfeld kicked off a new mainstream collaboration across fashion brands in 2004. But if we take a look back to the 20th century,  already in the 1970s, Gucci partnered up with defunct automaker AMC (American Motors Corporation). Armani designed a CLK limited edition for Mercedes-Benz in 2003. And Porsche partnered up with Adidas creating both a shoes and clothing line for the brand while Ferrari focused on sneakers for PUMA. Martini pimped a Porsche 918 racing car and Fendi composed the GranCabrio for Maserati.

What is the tactical objective behind these collaborations, and what implication do they have for the individual brands? Co-branding indicates the departure of brands from the core single-brand strategy. Maybe not always for a pure commercial gain but rather for the sake of branding, product placement and reputation management. However, always and perpetually driven by one single force: the customers’ hunger for uniqueness.

What to watch out for? Improvident co-branding might generate adverse effects on brand image and brand loyalty. Therefore, co-branders better think strategically, with a win-win situation for both parties in mind and never neglect reputation management. These kind of partnerships better be controlled by limited editioning, clear synchronism between the brands and consistent communication. The targeted customers must understand the brands and the connection. If not, the brand equity might not have the increase expected.

So, when to expect my new boxer shorts by… Lamborghini?

 

Gilles Devos

Guest author: Gilles Devos @gillesdevos 

Gilles is a passionate Epicurean,
with experience in hospitality, sales & marketing.

He likes to devour new trends and explore creative ventures which enables him to live up to his motto: “Don’t follow the trends, create them.”

 

 

We Are Cars is the community for a new generation of customer experience in the automotive industry. We Are Cars keep serving the latest news related to classic- and supercars, bringing awareness to car manufacturers’ transformation to a customer satisfaction and experience industry.

We Are Cars is Powered by BARE International, a global leader in customer experience with solid experience in the Automotive industry. Their customized Automotive services have proven track records of delivering performance, improving results for even the most savvy and demanding industry leaders.

BARE International offer paid missions for Evaluators who want to contribute to better customer experiences. Automotive Programmes include visits at dealerships and test-drive.  The Evaluator checks the service provided and gives feedback to BARE International.

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TAKE CONTROL

We Are Cars - Join us

As I walk to the bus station my mind wanders away and I start thinking about that special one I miss in my life. My dream car. But wait, no! The bus goes swooshing by me. It’s arriving early again… I pick up the speed and run as fast as my little legs can take me. I’m there. But the driver doesn’t see me. He pulls away. I stand left behind, trying to catch my breath.

For once can something please go my way?

I wish I could take control. I wish I didn’t have to be all cramped up with 99 others on the bus every morning.

Well, imagine you can grab the wheel right now and hear the roar of the engine. Go for a unique test drive in the latest model.

We’re in the business of improving customer experience and we have thousands of missions all around Europe where we need your help to evaluate the service level.

Take control. Let’s change the experience.

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TOP 5 REASONS WHY GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES ARE VITAL IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Good Manufacturing Practices, commonly known as GMP, maintain the integrity of the final products. They ensure that the highest standards are met while carrying out sound operations. 

These practices are just as important in the food industry as in the manufacturing industry. Especially with the rise of consumer awareness and food safety issues, consumers expect businesses to take responsibility for conforming to all food safety, quality, and consumer attribute requirements. 

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TOP AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATIONS FROM 2015 THAT MAKE YOUR JAW DROP

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Have you ever imagined what it would feel like driving a car that drives itself? Driving on roads that fuel your engine instantly? Or having a car that not only helps you save money, but is also good for the planet? Then these automotive innovations are for you! Last year showed us some incredible achievements in the automotive industry that surely made our jaws to drop. Can 2016 exceed last year? I’m surely very curious about this question.

 

Technological solutions in a nutshell

Let’s see last year there was a great boom amongst hybrids and electric vehicles and other automotive innovations. Everybody was talking about them not because of their price, but their technological achievements and environmentally friendly approach. Electric charging highways are underway. During August 2015 they reached the UK as well.  However there had already been such a highway in service in South Korea; and one of the most curious approaches with the interactive and intelligent roads came from the Netherlands in the concept of the Smart Highway.

Nowadays with all the environmental movements, the Climate Change Summit and the scandals about a major manufacturer it is no wonder that hybrid and electric cars have been getting more and more popular. True, they cost more when you buy them – but after that you can save significant money. Last year’s big hits were the Tesla Model S, BMW i8, Fiat 500E, Chevrolet Spark EV and Volt, Ford C-Max and Toyota’s Prius. But what kind of automotive innovations can come in 2016?

 

New applications and customizable cars

On the gadget side it seems both Apple and Google will get in our cars. After your smartphone is connected, you can have straight access to your phone apps from your car’s dashboard. I am actually very much looking forward to try this out personally. Let’s hope someday very soon mystery evaluations can go that way, too.

Other innovations are also in the pipeline which will enable cars to interact with each other and their environment. Safety first! If your car can see any difficulties ahead of you, it will enable you or your car to act in time – according to the situation. Furthermore, there actually have been several demos on self-driving cars. This is good news for those who hate parking – how would it feel if your car could do it more precisely than you?

According to all these mind-blowing achievements, I really look forward to the new technological innovations that 2016 will bring.

 

 

Author: Anita  @AnitaKocsis910

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Anita is an employee of Bare International. Besides her work
at the Social Media and Recruitment team, she loves doing yoga,
travelling and reading. Her love for the automotive industry came
from the passion for innovations and technology. She has a master’s
degree in International Economics and Business. 

 

Interested in becoming an Automotive Evaluator with BARE International?

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4 WAYS PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO GO BACK TO PRE-COVID CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

‘After a year of nearly everything in life being upended, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Covid numbers are trending down across much of the United States as vaccinations increase and many places start to re-open. But as Covid potentially nears its end, consumers and companies are faced with a new question: Now what for customer experience?’ BARE shares an article by Blake Morgan for Forbes with post-Covid customer experience.

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SUSTAINABLY-FOCUSED, PLANT-BASED ONLINE GROCERIES ARE THRIVING. HERE’S WHY

‘Besides COVID-19, climate change is one of the biggest challenges we’re facing this decade, but the good news is there is ample opportunity for innovation. Some companies have caught on, proving that some segments of the economy are actually thriving under the circumstances.’ BARE shares an article by Claudia Alarcon for Forbes on sustainable and plant-based online grocery stores.

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6 GOLDEN RULES FOR OPTIMIZING YOUR BRAND’S REPUTATION

Do you know how customers view your company? Brand reputation is essential to the success of any business. Stand out from the competition; invest in these core, or ‘Golden’, branding strategies. 

Thanks to the competitive market, customers have many options of products and services to select from, and they often rely on the brands that convey greater credibility via brand reputation. Optimize your brand reputation and win the customer’s trust before they even walk into your store!

1. DEFINE YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION

Every company needs to look for elements that differentiate it from the competition. Looking for innovations is essential to adapt to the needs of the customer. The value proposition is just that: a set of products and services that highlights the company before its opponents.

However, do not confuse price with value. The price is the amount that the buyer needs to shell out to buy something. Value is determined by the public; that is, it is the way the products and services are seen by the consumer. It is worth remembering that the perception of employees, suppliers, and partnerships also count.

Therefore, the first step in designing a successful business is to define a unique and extraordinary value proposition. Additionally, be sure to define your company’s mission, vision and values ​​to create a solid foundation for growth.

2. INVEST IN A UNIQUE & MEANINGFUL VISUAL IDENTITY

One of the first contacts that the customer has with the brand is through the visual identity, either by the front of the establishment or by the packaging of products, business cards, advertisements on television, or scattered throughout their location.Have you ever walked into a store just because you were attracted how the storefront looked? The aspect of an intriguing visual identity, or branding, is essential to convey trust and facilitate the company’s identification. Here are some examples: When you open a bank card, you soon recognize the sender just for the colors used, right? It’s that kind of identification you need to create for your brand.To develop an efficient visual identity, hire skilled professionals. They have in-depth knowledge about concepts, colors, shapes, fonts and even studies that support findings on how the brain works with recognition and likeability.

3. KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER

Knowing who you are dealing with is critical to devising effective strategies. Only then will it be possible to understand what the customer expects when they purchase the product or service. Gather as much information as you can, such as name, age, sex, marital status, profession and even hobbies. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools can help you collect this data.

With all this knowledge, it will be possible to build your consumer database, customize service, create strategies for loyalty, generate trust, and optimize brand awareness. When you are able to build a customized experience journey for your customer, they remember and prioritize you for future business.

4. USE CONTENT MARKETING

Investing in online strategies is essential to gaining and retaining customers, expanding the company’s exposure and gaining credibility. Leverage the virtual environment to implement content marketing actions. This method serves to generate authority for the brand by producing useful information for its target audience.So, how do you do that? A popular strategy is to create a corporate blog to inform and educate your reader! For example: Do you run a cosmetics store? Provide posts about which shampoo is ideal for each type of hair, or showcase a tutorial on how to apply eye shadow. You produce materials of interest to your audience and, at the time of making the buying decision, they will help keep you and your products in mind. After all, you are a thought leader in that industry!

Additionally, content marketing helps to understand the needs of customers and offer products that will actually meet their expectations. Extend strategies for social networks and share posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Pro tip: Be sure to remember that it is important to adapt the materials to each type of network. Instagram, for example, is a highly visual channel. Therefore, ensure the post has an image as the focal point for Instagram, versus an attractive tagline and interesting hashtags which are prevalent in Twitter.

5. STRENGTHEN CONSUMER RELATIONSHIPS

Imagine: your company receives a critique on a popular social media channel, and your loyal customers resolve to defend the brand. This is the ultimate goal of relationship marketing: to win over loyal consumers who can act as brand ambassadors for your company at certain times. The strategy consists of defining actions to generate and maintain a positive connection between the company and the public. In addition to loyal customers, relationship marketing aims to build trust and authority for the brand.

One of the key tools to strengthen consumer bonds is through targeted email marketing. Personalized email marketing makes it possible to send congratulations on special dates, provide promotions, gifts or benefits for the next purchase, and even offer after-sales service. Email marketing can be a strong ally of content marketing, as well. Be sure that the content of your emails are valuable, and think “quality over quantity” when it comes to emails: there’s no sense in creating a nice opportunity for your clients if they’re just going to hit ‘delete’ as soon as it comes to their email box! Another option to improve consumer relationships are through loyalty programs. You can offer unique advantages so that consumers choose your company instead of looking elsewhere.

6. BE VIGILANT OF CUSTOMER FEEDBACK, ESPECIALLY CRITICISMS!

Provide communication channels so that consumers have a way to provide feedback. In this process, criticism is even more important than praise because it shows the points of dissatisfaction and encourages the improvement of products and services. What’s more, this openness influences how the customer perceives the brand. By realizing that the company is interested in the buyer’s experience, not just the money, the customer knows they matter to the company and the brand, and the result is a strengthened relationship.

Brand awareness ultimately affects business results, so investing in branding strategies is crucial. A brand that positions itself as a thought leader in its industry attracts more consumers, and build a loyal fan base faster. Follow all these Golden Rules, and watch your company’s positive reputation grow!

Let BARE International showcase your brand reputation by aggregating all of your customers’ experiences into one platform. Contact us today for more information, we look forward to speaking with you.

BARE CHOSEN AS ‘SHOPPER’S CHOICE 2018’!

BARE International is proud and humbled to be chosen, for the second year in a row, as a preferred Mystery Shop Company for shoppers around the world.

Bare International is the recipient of the 2018 Shopper’s Choice Award. In 2017, BARE International celebrated 30 years of supporting businesses worldwide in creating excellent customer experiences. The Shopper’s Choice Award was created to allow Independent Contractor members to vote on their favorite Mystery Shop Provider.

MSPA Americas (formerly known as the Mystery Shopping Providers Association of North America) is the trade association representing the customer experience industry throughout the Americas, founded to strengthen the customer service industry and provide timely, actionable and impactful resources for shaping the future of business communities.

“I found BARE to be a professional and honest company that treats its shoppers with respect,” says Mystery Shopper Gabriella Lopez, “I look forward to seeing the exciting shops that come up on their job board and learning about their new and innovative methods of measuring customer satisfaction.”

Jason Bare, Global Business Development Manager and Jeff Rose, Project Manager were in attendance to accept the award at the Annual ShopperFest Event in Grapevine, Texas.

“BARE currently partners with a wide range of industries that provides great opportunities for our Evaluators – everything from ordering a pizza to staying at a hotel. As we continue to grow, we are always looking to expand our database of enthusiastic Evaluators,” says Jason.

As an evaluator for BARE International, you become a valuable part of providing game-changing insights to our clients. You can have an impact on how our clients provide customer service and make business decisions. The same ethical standards we uphold when designing, implementing, and analyzing research strategies for our clients also applies to you as one of our evaluators.

We strive to create opportunities as worthwhile to you as your work is to us. 

For interest in becoming a BARE Evaluator, please visit Evaluators Page for more information.

Bare Shares How Customer Experience Can Drive A Referral Strategy

As we’ve previously shared in a BARE Fact – “70% of buying experiences are based on how the customer feels they are being treated.”  (McKinsey). But do you really know how the customer rates their experience? Will they be one of the happy customers that tell nine people about their experience, or the unhappy customer that tells 16 (nearly two times more) people about their poor experience?

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