[spacer height=”10px”]Everybody loves mystery shopping, so why wouldn’t the world’s most famous “Consulting Detective” like to indulge in the occasional mystery visit once in a while? Lately a team of Oxford scholars have done research into the private life of Sherlock Holmes and discovered that he’s one of the most avid evaluators we work with. And, unsurprisingly, also one of the very best. What would Sherlock’s comments look like after visiting an apparel store in Baker Street, for instance?
[spacer height=”10px”]“When Watson and I entered the store we weren’t immediately greeted, even though there were at least three salespersons present. Two of them were sorting clothes and I noticed at once how they had been having words earlier today, as they were never really looking each other straight in the eye, avoiding as much contact as would professionally be allowed. They couldn’t have fallen out on the work floor, as the third salesperson, a redhead, seemed to be in a sincerely good mood. So either they are carpooling or they live together, but not as a couple. As for the former I could see that even at his still rather young age he was already disappointed in what life had had in store for him, resigned to the downward trajectory in both career and private life. I also sensed that his uncle, who was a stockbroker’s clerk, had died from an unsurprising coronary attack recently.
[spacer height=”10px”]The client who was helped out by the third salesperson would have rather been helped by a different salesperson, as she was manipulating the shopping bag of a different store in mild frustration. I think it must be a cocktail of the exaggerated cheerfulness of the salesperson combined with his, admittedly, rather annoying high-pitched voice.
As soon as she had left, the red-headed salesperson expediently approached and greeted us in an extremely happy and friendly manner. He was wearing a very clean uniform despite the fact that his unkempt fingernails betrayed a below average standard of personal hygiene. I noticed, on the upper surface of the tip of each finger, very small pieces of clay had collected, which lead me to deduce that he was a sculptor of sorts in his free time. It is without a doubt his preferred hobby as it was exactly the type of expensive quality clay that is used by sculptors, rather than the common putty of children’s playthings. I can remember the distinct texture of the clay now.
[spacer height=”10px”]He asked us what kind of apparel we were looking for and I congratulated him with his birthday and asked him if last night’s party had been nice. He seemed to be slightly taken aback by the fact that I knew about this but he tried not to let on that there was anything unusual, which was the correct attitude, because there really wasn’t anything surprising about it. Anyone could see that the silver blazer he was wearing was brand new and smelled of a newly received perfume, which also explains the faint stain I could clearly distinguish. It was simplicity itself. The second stain was left by a type of chocolate cake that people only sell on the occasion of a birthday. I do believe they call them birthday cakes.
[spacer height=”10px”]The salesperson began offering me some types of jeans, and I was a bit astonished that he hadn’t immediately noticed that I was in want of a dark pair of jeans, of a speckled brand. Nonetheless, he found the perfect pair of trousers for me, which I immediately tried on in the fitting room. There was no one else present at that time, but there must have been, undoubtedly, a 43 year old recently divorced woman right before me, about 16 and a half minutes earlier. Come to think of it, we must have crossed her on the way to the store. I clearly remember her now. She had a twisted lip and she didn’t look very pleased either. Earlier, when I quickly observed her when passing by, I thought she was annoyed by something someone had said a few minutes earlier, but now it was by then obvious that she most dissatisfied with her purchase and was seriously considering going back to the store and making use of the return policy – a conclusion which was most elementary.
[spacer height=”10px”]I was readily assisted by the salesperson and both Watson and I quite convincingly felt like illustrious clients. I would gladly return to this store, and so would Watson, who seemed to be really interested in a dark blue sweater he had found in the store.”
Author: Gert
Gert’ specialties are any coffee-related projects as well as reports in Dutch, French and English. In his free time he writes novels, plays and poems, and performs spoken word all over Flanders and the Netherlands. He also loves travelling, listening to music and going to concerts. He has a Master in Applied Linguistics and one in Modern Literature.
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https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/12/sherlock-holmes-931897_edited.jpg5771495onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-12-01 15:26:092022-08-15 13:01:26Elementary mystery shopping with Sherlock Holmes
It all started in September. I arrived to this beautiful country when the weather was still nice. The air was rich with autumn scents – by the way it was the exact same feeling as it supposed to be according to my Hungarian standards. This means nice and warm sunshine during the day, colour changing leaves, crispy air in the mornings, and so on. It was beautiful, and just the way I like it. For the whole week.
On top of that, everybody was kind and nice, in the shops as well! What to say, I was impressed, how everybody spoke English, how everybody was able to be nice, friendly and professional at the same time. What to say, this treatment fulfilled my checklist for an outstanding customer service, absolutely:
Smile from afar – I know: you, me, we are all only humans with our fluctuating moods and sometimes it is really hard to do our job with a smile on our faces. But it’s worth the effort. I have not one, but several shop assistants working in nearby stores who I started to like during the years. We shared smiles, then longer greetings, and after that our thoughts and dreams and we even started to share stories from our life.
Clean shop – oh, yes, there isn’t a worst thing when you enter the shop and it looks like a battlefield.
Help me, I’m lost! – Without the shop assistant’s help I would never have found my non-allergic bread.
Don’t make me think – well, this is just like the previous one. When I’m shopping, I’m more or less on autopilot, so it can be really problematic, if I start circling in the shop and not finding the desired products. In this case either I gave up or sought for help. Once I even asked a stranger – who, according to me, looked like an employee of the supermarket – where I could find my favourite chocolate. The poor victim looked so dumbfounded, I felt really terrible after it, because I judged him by his clothes. Lesson learned.
Respect me – even if I’m a foreigner or worst, a tourist.
Try to understand my needs – listen carefully, with the intent to understand the others is one of the greatest gifts ever.
No hurry, let me breathe and take my time – give me space to feel comfortable while I’m deciding what I want to buy. I really liked that. But when I needed them, the staff was always nearby.
Give me some extra tips – I’d love to hear about the latest discounts and the best offers – who wouldn’t?
Conclusion: if you want to lose customers, don’t follow the Dutch example.
Anita is an employee of Bare International. Besides her work, she loves doing yoga, dancing, running, travelling and reading – which is why she often wonders how would it be possible to fit one or two more hobbies into her schedule. 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.
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Now of course, we at BARE International -and everyone else who doesn’t work here – do not condone lying as a reliable (no pun intended) or virtuous way of living; indeed, you can get into very serious trouble, should you knowingly tell untruths (you can go to jail for lying in a court of law, for example). So lying is not okay… typically, but we’re all so good at it! Moreover, we begin doing it very early on, some researchers say as early as 6 months old.
[spacer height=”5px”] The title itself might be somewhat misleading, if not an outright porky pie. But much in the same way this piece will illustrate, it is in no way harmful, and can be in fact beneficial to both parties (the writer and the reader). The kind of slight-of-hand I’m talking about is utilized by Mystery Shopping, an intriguing, interesting and ultimately fib-fueled world, in which lying helps everybody concerned.
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As children we are all taught – and rightly so – that lying is unequivocally a ‘Bad Thing’, discouraged at all levels by any parent/teacher worth their salt. But here’s the kicker: sometimes it can actually be used for good, and I’m not talking about the little white lies that occur from day to day (”that was delicious!”), nor the big-time (”the moon landing was faked”) kind of lie, but rather a type of lying that can help improve the situations for all involved.
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Don’t believe me? Then I’d say fair enough, considering the above paragraph’s content (and that it’s healthy to have a good dose of cynicism when it comes to reading things on the internet).
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But please, allow me to convince you…
[spacer height=”10px”] 1 – NO ONE GETS HURT
[spacer height=”5px”] To the uninitiated, Mystery Shopping might seem like some clandestine, covert black market; a situation where unsuspecting staff are duped by officious, clip board-wielding telltales clad in beige trenchcoats while wearing sunglasses. That’s only partly true (they don’t really wield a clipboard, though the “I Spy” attire is optional); certainly, the employees of our clients are never mislead or tricked into something untoward, and aren’t in any danger of immediate negative repercussions. The closest it can come to, for example, is a project in which our Evaluators (a fancy word for Mystery Shopper) will appear overtly suspicious during a shop, asking odd questions and generally trying to set off alarm bells in the employee they’re auditing; such signaling might be picked up and acted upon, though even if it is missed, that’s important and useful data too.
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But the key thing to remember is that it’s a completely safe situation – there’s never been an instance of someone losing their job due to a Mystery Shop, and there never will be. Our Evaluators pose as regular shoppers to aid the actual regular shoppers, and help sharpen the staff of whichever business they have chosen to evaluate.
[spacer height=”10px”] 2 – ALL-INCLUSIVE IMPROVEMENT
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Of course, humans aren’t the only animals that lie: a few years ago Koko the Gorilla (celebrated for her 1,000+ sign language vocabulary) asked for a kitten to have as a pet, such is her affinity toward felines. Like many, Koko likes to take the credit for her good behavior and blames the bad on someone else. After ripping out a sink from the wall of her habitat, her humans asked what happened.
Koko signed, “The cat did it.”
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Setting aside any ethical concerns, the truth is that when you do a spot of Mystery Shopping, therefore inherently not telling the whole truth, it is good for everybody: good for us (the company on whose behalf you’re Mystery Shopping ); good for the market (as it keeps the ecosystem strong); good for the store (provides useful analytics with which they can improve themselves and their staff); good for the customer (better quality staff & store means better quality shopping & service); and of course, good for you (you stand to make that bit extra at the end of an otherwise predictable month)!
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Customer Experience Research is the name of the game – there’s a formula we use that is as follows: ECX = OE + EC + CS, which stands for Excellent Customer Experience = Operational Excellence + Employee Commitment + Customer Satisfaction. Instead of seeing lies in a single category of selfish and wrongheaded behavior, it’s possible to think critically of lying and to consider instances where it can be productive and healthy. As a first step, you can allow yourself to not feel guilty about what you’re talking about during your Mystery Shop: in fact, a great many of our Evaluators thoroughly enjoy the role-playing aspect of the visits, performing the scenarios confidently and coming up with added details to embellish their backstories. We all like to pretend to be someone else, especially if we’re permitted – and paid!
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Speaking of which…
[spacer height=”10px”] 3 – YOU GET PAID FOR SERVICES RENDERED
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Either in the form of a shop fee or as a reimbursement, you’ll be able to rack up considerable extra cash come the end of the month. That means you’re able to boost your income by doing a test drive for one of our automotive projects, while also picking up a pair of new shoes effectively gratis (as amount you paid can be remunerated). Fancy a stay in a hotel, on the house? Be my guest. There’s nothing quite like waltzing through the door and giving a false name at the reception; and who doesn’t like knowing they’ve got away with even the simplest bluff (most people are better at it that they’d probably like to think: in a 10 minute conversation with a stranger, we humans will tell an average of 3 lies, though the majority rarely even realize they’re doing it). In addition to the well-known bassline of Mystery Visits, there are several ways in which to make it work best suited your own routine; if you don’t feel like leaving the house there’s Mystery Calling & E-Mailing, used for checking customer service, response time and ease of use.
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Okay, so the previous sentence might sound like it came off the back of one of our recruitment flyers (it didn’t), but the point I’m making is that you needn’t be Lance Armstrong to be one of our Mystery Evaluators. It’s a simple job, and can easily be done well. What’s more, you’ll never have to pay for the privilege of Mystery Shopping, and never should.
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BONUS 4th REASON! – THE MORE THE MERRIER [spacer height=”5px”] In short: we’ll pay you a bonus for every friend you recommend, and the cherry on top is that it won’t negatively affect you in any way at all – many of our projects have a mandatory “cool down” period between shops, so even if you wanted to perform visits week-in-week-out, there’s no guarantee you’d be able to. Introducing someone you know to us is the easiest way in which to keep a healthy cycle time ticking over, meaning that even when you’re unable to do a shop, your friend will be.
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So, to conclude: there are times when not telling the truth is a good thing. Lying to help another person or their business is and should be perceived as good, while lying which has no effect – or actually harms others – is of course wrong. The thing to remember is that, done properly, Mystery Shopping reveals a bevy of benefits, by enticing businesses to up their game (perhaps if a rival seems to be pulling ahead), or even to practice new policies (if their previous form isn’t up to scratch), and that is a benefit to us all as customers. If the boss is evaluating an employee, they’re bound to be on their best behavior: a Mystery Shopper ensures a realistic evaluation based on how employees interact with real customers and not just their supervisors.
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Apologies for such a clickbait-y title, though I suppose you could even consider it as something of a white lie: yes, I’ve slightly exploited your curiosity, but now both of us have benefited – with you learning a little bit about something you (presumably) didn’t really know much about before, and me getting to spread the word. You can’t say we don’t practice what we preach. I mean, would I lie to you?
Author: Richard
Richard is a real community builder, involved in various activities within the office, helps charities and has a degree in filmmaking and screenwriting. He’s a ”Creative”, interested in telling stories, making connections and helping generate ideas. An avid reader, he is passionate about gaming, food (don’t feed him after midnight) and history. He has plans for the future, and you -the one reading this sentence- are part of them.
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https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/10/frogs-1610562_1920.jpg9061920onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-10-13 13:58:212022-08-15 13:01:273 Reasons We Pay People To Lie
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Let’s start with some touristic information:
Located in the valley of the Scheldt-river in the North of Belgium, the city of Antwerp is internationally renowned for a couple of pretty nice things: It carries the nickname ‘Diamond Capital of the World’, is home to the 2nd biggest port of Europe and to one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world, was the hometown of famous painters such as Sir Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens etc.
Surprisingly though, there has never been a tourist guide in the world who has mentioned that in Antwerp, you will also find the 2nd oldest Bare Associates International branch, preceded only by the home office in Fairfax, Virginia. At least… not until now: Antwerp office in 5 touristic bullet points!
Vivid history
Truth be told, for a very long time, nothing worth mentioning happened in this building really. But that has changed recently, because in August 2012, after having worked elsewhere in the city for 15 years, the Bare employees could begin to call this building their workplace. Ever since that beautiful day of summer, so many things have happened: Hundreds of clients have visited the office, thousands of coffees have been drunk, millions of phone calls have been made, billions of emails have been sent and received, and so on.
Incredible location
The Antwerp office is located in a street called Meir, which is known as the biggest shopping street of the city. With current retail and luxury clients close-by and possible clients even closer, this location is ideal to host a mystery shopping company. It’s only natural that the employees use their lunchbreak to check out the local businesses from time to time, obviously just for the sake of the company.
Exquisite architecture
Lots of bricks, many windows, several floors and a big bird on top. Fancy!
Epicentre of culture
On any day of the week, you will be able to enjoy a harmonious musical composition, produced by cars, trams, horse carriages and drunk students on beer bikes. However, if you visit the city in the summertime, you might be in for an extra treat, brought to you by one of the many street performers: An opera singer who makes you believe that you have frontline tickets at the Scala of Milan; a pianist, a guitarist and a saxophone player who seem to come straight out of the Royal Albert Hall in London; or even a giant granny rolling by in her wheelchair, like it happened right in front of the office on the 19th of June 2015. True story!
Remarkable people
And similarly to many great buildings, this one as well has been given colour by the people working in it. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are reading this, you will most likely know at least one person working in this office that you simply adore… or love… or like… or of which you can tolerate that (s)he communicates with you… hopefully…
Anyhow, a fact is that this building is a working home to people from many different nationalities (currently 13!), covering a total of more than 10 different languages. An office that is populated by people that accidentally eat the food of their colleagues, people that only realize at night in the pub that they have edited the report of a newcomer that day (“Oh yeah, I thought that name looked familiar!”), people that give Secret Santa gifts to colleagues for which those have no use whatsoever… And always with a smile on their faces!
In short: A cheerful bunch, in a cherished office, in a charming city. Cheers!
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Author: Davy
Davy is active in the BARE International office in Antwerp. He has a Master’s degree in Multilingual Communication, and can get himself understood properly in 5 languages. Professionally he’s mostly busy with cars and wireless speakers, topics he’s fond of in his private life as well – apart from other hobbies, such as travelling, cooking, cycling and football.
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https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/10/shutterstock_383295808_edited_Antwerp.jpg4791497onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-10-06 03:05:302022-08-15 13:01:28Antwerp office, a hidden gem!
It all happened on June 8th when we were told we would have the chance to come and visit you.
What an excitement… Your Danube, your bars, your nice people, we have heard so much about you that we couldn’t wait anymore to finally meet you.
Here we are… Thursday evening, rushing after work, getting on the plane…it didn’t take us more than two hours to reach you and we could already see you from the sky, you already looked amazing.
Once we arrived we saw people everywhere. Your streets were so vibrant and alive. It almost felt as if everyone knew we were coming.
The atmosphere at work was really nice. Our colleagues welcomed us so warmly, it did not feel as if it was the first time we met them. It was as if we knew each other all along. We were so happy we could talk to one another personally instead of via Skype or email. We were happy we had the opportunity to meet and get to know one another. We could finally match faces with the names that we often heard.
Budapest, your sun, your thermal baths, your amazing hills on the Buda side, your restaurants… We would like to say: your everything is amazing. Unfortunately we were too short on time… We assume that you were trying to tell us we should come back to visit you again.
See you next time Budapest, we cannot wait!
Yours,
Ikram & Meriem
PS.: If we were mystery evaluators in Budapest, we would say that we did not do it for the shop fee. We did it to explore the beautiful city. We did it for the lovely memories we got in exchange. The shop fee is the city itself and beyond!
Author: Ikram
Ikram has been a part of the Bare team for more than a year now. She is a native French speaker, but also speaks English, Arabic and Spanish. She studied translation and had the opportunity to live in both Syria and Egypt during her studies. Within the Bare team she is a real community builder who tries to work on activities and relations inwards and outwards of the company. She loves traveling, reading and discovering new cultures.
Author: Meriem
Meriem has been working for Bare International for 1 year now, and she is mainly responsible for projects in Belgium. In her free time she loves spending quality time with her family – especially with her 3-year-old son. She is very outgoing: loves having fun, shopping, travelling and having deep conversations with her loved ones. She has a degree in Office and Data Management.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/09/shutterstock_296194670_Edited.jpg5551497onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-09-29 08:57:292022-08-15 13:01:29An open letter to Budapest
I’ll keep the introductions brief: all you need to know is that I lived in one country (Scotland) my whole life, and have now been living in another country (Hungary) for the past couple of months, indeed for the next year… and possibly beyond.
The reasons are various, though what’s important is right now (for this blog) is just how the Dickens all of it has been – moving to an entirely new country, which happens to be on the opposite side of the continent, where you don’t speak the language, nor quite understand the currency (367HUF = 1GBP?!).
[spacer height=”10px”] Here are three things I’ll mention for now:
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1. A Whole New World (Country)
[spacer height=”10px”] I should probably start off with the most profound change of the past four-and-a-bit weeks: an actual switching of country. Not just a change of scenery, or a new view from your bedroom window, but a real, 100% genuine ”everything’s different” kind of altering you don’t normally find everyday.
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I mean, yes – upping sticks from one nation to another where you can’t even read the ”open/closed” sign on a shop door is quite the change of pace; but having to learn (or relearn) an entirely new set of skills and routines is just as jarring/intimidating/exhilerating/exciting!
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Having spent most of the past few years in and around Edinburgh was actually pretty good training for living in and around Budapest: lots of people, lots of traffic, and a frankly ridiculous amount of pretty sights from both a man-made and natural perspective. The architecture of both cities are, of course, world famous. It’s a rare joy to go walkabout in an unfamiliar city and consistently be impressed with what you’re looking at. Oh, and without question Budapest (indeed, many other European cities) has one advantage over Edinburgh in one aspect: the travel pass. For just over £25, this shiny ticket will see you right for a full month, letting you go by bus (trolley bus or regular), tram, metro, train, and even boat absolutely anywhere within the city limits, an unlimited number of times. I cannot overstate how much peace of mind this gives.
2. All Walks Of Life (Culture)
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Remember that bit before when I said ”everything’s different”?
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Not completely true. Yes, there are many differences: cinemas only serve salted popcorn, Hungarian men shave their armpits (not in Scotland), but there are also similarities. Food is very similar, and the Hungarian/Scottish sense of humour makes for natural bedfellows. Working in BARE International’s Budapest office helps ease any cultureshock or homesickness-inducing anxiety. As we work so closely with our friends in Belgium, a real team spirit is palpable. Everyone is contstantly on skype for both the most important conference calls and the smallest of questions. Even further, technology enables us to interact with offices even further afield, with the USA, India and China all reachable at the click of a mouse. It’s a cliché, but being able to actually speak to and hear a person in real time goes a long way. You get a feeling of presence, therefore the most enjoyable and efficient work can happen.
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3. Ain’t No Sunshine (Climate)
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In Scotland, there’s the saying, ”If you don’t like the weather, wait for five minutes”. The Brits are (in)famous for their obession with small talk relating to amateur meteorology, and thanks to the mercurial nature of clouds above the UK, it’s not unfounded. It’s pretty much given that in the months of July, August and September, the weather in Budapest is rarely anything other than tan-tastic sunshine. Almost certainly more than these three, but I haven’t experienced others first hand. One of the first things talked about if I mention I’m living in Hungary is how I’m surviving being a milk bottle-coloured Scot (spoilers: SPF is my new BFF). For native Hungarians, however, conversations about how the weather is would become repetative pretty quickly.
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A quick note on hearing the Hungarian language day in, day out: at first it may sound quite argumentative, so even if you hear a mother and daughter talking perfectly well about how they slept last night, it’s easy to mistake it for a long-brewing fight.
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BONUS 4TH POINT!
4. Faster Than A Speeding Bullet (Commute)
[spacer height=”10px”] The absolute cherry on the cake in regards to my moving to a complete different country to a new job is how darn quickly I can get there; because of where my apartment and workplace are situated, I can easily make it from my front door to my desk in five minutes. To put it in perspective, my previous job took a 3-hour round trip to get from my town into Edinburgh (honestly though? It was worth every bum-numbing minute), whereas now it’s 2 minute dash to the office if I run.
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There may be much I miss having left the place I called home for almost quester of a century, but there is even more I am looking forward to in the coming year. The past few months have been an enjoyable, sometimes surprising learning experience, and I’m sure the next few will take it to new heights.
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Not to brag, but you know… I don’t think I’ve ever had it so good.
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Author: Richard
Richard is a real community builder, involved in various activities within the office, helps charities and has a degree in filmmaking and screenwriting. He’s a ”Creative”, interested in telling stories, making connections and helping generate ideas. An avid reader, he is passionate about gaming, food (don’t feed him after midnight) and history. He has plans for the future, and you -the one reading this sentence- are part of them.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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With BARE International we have all sorts of mystery visits, in a wide variety of industries. But what would the comments of a mystery shop at a rock festival look like exactly? We can only have a wild guess here.
You have applied for a ‘Festivals International: ALL’ visit. You have to visit the following festival location: Shop: Pukkelpop Location: Kiewit, Hasselt, BE Shop date: 18th of August 2016 Your scenario: You have an eclectic taste in music and are looking for some alternative bands to discover. You are open to many kinds of music. Please visit at least the following departments: Main Stage, Marque, Boiler Room, Club. DO NOT visit the Main Stage from 10:40pm to 12:10am!
What did you experience at the entrance of the location? How were you greeted/approached?
Before I entered the festival I noticed the bills advertising for other festivals. When I entered I was immediately greeted in a friendly manner. I had to place my belongings in a plastic box and walk through a detection gate, while security had a peek in my backpack. As the alarm went off I was frisked by a male security guard. They all did this with a smile and kind words.
Please write a comment about how you were helped with finding what you needed.
At the entrance there was a huge board with a timetable, where I could already make my own needs analysis and select which bands I wanted to check. There was a lot of choice, with over 80 bands and DJs to choose from and at least 10 stages to go to. There was also a catalogue with all the acts listed A-Z and a short and funny description. I think this was nicely done.
What did you particularly like about this visit?
What I particularly liked about this visit is the variety of bands. I think Wolfmother, The Last Shadow Puppets, Bloc Party and The Tallest Man On Earth gave some really interesting concerts. The pad thai I had for dinner, purchased from one of the many food stands, was excellent and not too spicy.
What did you not like about this visit?
What I didn’t really like about this visit was that The Avalanches had cancelled their concert. Even though we knew that upfront, it wasn’t really a positive aspect. It would also have been better had the concerts of Mastodon and Warpaint not overlapped, as I had to choose Mastodon, but also was interested in Warpaint. It wasn’t a very easy choice and I didn’t really feel respected as a customer. I didn’t quite like the loud basses during Half Moon Run. I think sound quality could improve here.
Please upload your POV.
As a proof of visit I uploaded a picture of my wrist with the Pukkelpop wristband. You can check the day of the week and the date on it: THU 18.
Any tips for future evaluators?
Bring earplugs to the festival!
Author: Gert
Gert specialties are any coffee-related projects as well as reports in Dutch, French and English. In his free time he writes novels, plays and poems, and performs spoken word all over Flanders and the Netherlands. He also loves travelling, listening to music and going to concerts. He has a Master in Applied Linguistics and one in Modern Literature.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/09/1.jpg6501500onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-09-08 13:50:472022-08-15 13:01:29Mystery Shop At a Rock Festival
It has already been 5 years since the office in Budapest opened its doors and started taking part in the customer research business. About these 5 years Shaalan, one of the company’s earliest hires gave us some insights.
You are working for BARE International for 5 years now. What was your first impression of the company?
Before I joined the company I already worked for it as a Mystery Evaluator. If I remember well, I did a jewellery visit. So I knew more or less how the Evaluator side works, but was curious about the other side of the job. I applied and got hired. After joining I received a 2 weeks’ training and was very interested in it, because previously it was really foggy how the visits and Resource Managers are working from the inside.
What was the office like?
It was a small starting team with 5 members who spoke different languages, plus the Office Manager. The small office was located near the Hungarian Parliament. It had a great view.
How was your first year?
I remember I picked up the phone on my second day and got many countries to manage like the Middle East and after that lots of Easter European countries I had no knowledge of at all. First of all I had to learn the culture and the different behaviours that could cause confusion. During the first year I got used to the job itself and this was the time when we started to build up our Evaluator base, because that wasn’t very big in Europe at that time. But after 1 year you will know your Evaluators by heart and you build trust with them and the community you manage will become more stable.
What has happened during the 5 years that have passed? It’s a long time, what kind of milestones do you remember from all these years?
Yeah, I grew older, moved in a lot of positions, but I was all the time around people. It was either community management or recruitment. I became more experienced in the job, but challenges are still there. This industry can surprise you all the time with the increasingly newer problems that need to be solved. Then come the brainstorming, trials and errors until we find the solution. Really exciting.
What did you learn so far?
Language barrier can be a big obstacle to do the job right. Most of the people at this company speak around 2.5 languages, but in worst-case scenario you can always use Google Translate. And of course language knowledge is important, but techniques and knowing how to use the given tools matter more. However, all these achievements wouldn’t be possible without our Evaluators and co-workers. Working in a team carries the greatest value for me.
What were the greatest achievements?
We are always growing, just like the office in Antwerp does. From 5 members in Budapest we grew significantly, around 40 people are working in the office now. Also, the offices in Europe are unique. The amount of talent accompanying with the cultural diversity makes them very colourful. You cannot find a similar atmosphere in other BARE offices across the globe. Our colleagues are from different European and Middle-Eastern countries, we even have some co-workers from Latin-America. It comes in handy because of the historical background of Europe and the amount of countries we are handling during the projects.
What do you think, what will the future hold?
We are trying to get more clients on board to continue growing. I was always a fan of showing the clients how we do a customer research, it’s not like a simple questionnaire. That’s why they turn to us and don’t do it in-house. We are the experts and we are the ones who can provide fact-based research on how they perform and in which areas they can improve. We are not only highlighting the problems, but we can give a detailed plan of how to overcome these issues and improve their ranks. It is more like consulting than simply providing a customer research and I think BARE International can do this as well. So I see our future in turning towards consulting.
Author: Anita @AnitaKocsis910
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 Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/08/tumbnail.jpg647949onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-08-26 09:45:582022-08-15 13:01:29Celebrating the 5th birthday of Budapest Office
Wow, isn’t that a radical thought coming from an employee of a market research company that is fully dedicated to help raise customer satisfaction? Or maybe not.
That sounds nice, but what does this have to do with customer service?
To put it simply, a lot. “It should go without saying, if the person who works at your company is 100 percent proud of the brand and you give them the tools to do a good job and they are treated well, they’re going to be happy,” and also “if the person who works at your company is not appreciated, they are not going to do things with a smile,” Branson says to Inc.. If I continue this way of thinking then I would add that if an employee is not treated well, then the company can end up losing valuable people who could have contributed to its growth.
Have you ever asked what will happen if a Mystery Evaluator gives a bad feedback? Will the owner of the company think employees first in this case too?
Good question. We don’t have an exact answer for this, but we heard some very promising things from our clients. Usually what we see is an ‘employees first’-attitude. Our clients are trying to help with trainings to those who are not performing very well. And on the other hand if somebody is made redundant it is not because of the mystery visits’ results.
In some cases the whole purpose of the mystery visit is to determine what topics to put in a training program, so the employees will get all the support from the company to do their job as best as they can.
As a result our Mystery Evaluators are helping a lot not just for the brands to provide a better customer service experience, but for the employees as well to find more satisfaction in their work.
What does your company do for you to feel valued?
Author: Anita @AnitaKocsis910
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 Evaluator with BARE International?
[maxbutton id=”20″]
Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/07/shutterstock_73887589_Edited.jpg6471495onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-07-28 08:50:172022-08-15 13:01:30„Employees first, customers second” – said so many
Bare International held a Mystery Evaluator Meetup in its Budapest office in May. Therefore we would like to thank all the Evaluators who participated, for taking the time to give us the opportunity to get to know you much better.
https://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/07/shutterstock_225298045_Resized.jpg5171495onimodhttps://www.bareinternational.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/BARE-ISO-Badge-2023-1.pngonimod2016-07-21 09:46:182022-08-15 13:01:30Mystery Evaluator Meetup in Budapest
Elementary mystery shopping with Sherlock Holmes
[spacer height=”10px”]Everybody loves mystery shopping, so why wouldn’t the world’s most famous “Consulting Detective” like to indulge in the occasional mystery visit once in a while? Lately a team of Oxford scholars have done research into the private life of Sherlock Holmes and discovered that he’s one of the most avid evaluators we work with. And, unsurprisingly, also one of the very best. What would Sherlock’s comments look like after visiting an apparel store in Baker Street, for instance?
[spacer height=”10px”]“When Watson and I entered the store we weren’t immediately greeted, even though there were at least three salespersons present. Two of them were sorting clothes and I noticed at once how they had been having words earlier today, as they were never really looking each other straight in the eye, avoiding as much contact as would professionally be allowed. They couldn’t have fallen out on the work floor, as the third salesperson, a redhead, seemed to be in a sincerely good mood. So either they are carpooling or they live together, but not as a couple. As for the former I could see that even at his still rather young age he was already disappointed in what life had had in store for him, resigned to the downward trajectory in both career and private life. I also sensed that his uncle, who was a stockbroker’s clerk, had died from an unsurprising coronary attack recently.
[spacer height=”10px”]The client who was helped out by the third salesperson would have rather been helped by a different salesperson, as she was manipulating the shopping bag of a different store in mild frustration. I think it must be a cocktail of the exaggerated cheerfulness of the salesperson combined with his, admittedly, rather annoying high-pitched voice.
As soon as she had left, the red-headed salesperson expediently approached and greeted us in an extremely happy and friendly manner. He was wearing a very clean uniform despite the fact that his unkempt fingernails betrayed a below average standard of personal hygiene. I noticed, on the upper surface of the tip of each finger, very small pieces of clay had collected, which lead me to deduce that he was a sculptor of sorts in his free time. It is without a doubt his preferred hobby as it was exactly the type of expensive quality clay that is used by sculptors, rather than the common putty of children’s playthings. I can remember the distinct texture of the clay now.
[spacer height=”10px”]He asked us what kind of apparel we were looking for and I congratulated him with his birthday and asked him if last night’s party had been nice. He seemed to be slightly taken aback by the fact that I knew about this but he tried not to let on that there was anything unusual, which was the correct attitude, because there really wasn’t anything surprising about it. Anyone could see that the silver blazer he was wearing was brand new and smelled of a newly received perfume, which also explains the faint stain I could clearly distinguish. It was simplicity itself. The second stain was left by a type of chocolate cake that people only sell on the occasion of a birthday. I do believe they call them birthday cakes.
[spacer height=”10px”]The salesperson began offering me some types of jeans, and I was a bit astonished that he hadn’t immediately noticed that I was in want of a dark pair of jeans, of a speckled brand. Nonetheless, he found the perfect pair of trousers for me, which I immediately tried on in the fitting room. There was no one else present at that time, but there must have been, undoubtedly, a 43 year old recently divorced woman right before me, about 16 and a half minutes earlier. Come to think of it, we must have crossed her on the way to the store. I clearly remember her now. She had a twisted lip and she didn’t look very pleased either. Earlier, when I quickly observed her when passing by, I thought she was annoyed by something someone had said a few minutes earlier, but now it was by then obvious that she most dissatisfied with her purchase and was seriously considering going back to the store and making use of the return policy – a conclusion which was most elementary.
[spacer height=”10px”]I was readily assisted by the salesperson and both Watson and I quite convincingly felt like illustrious clients. I would gladly return to this store, and so would Watson, who seemed to be really interested in a dark blue sweater he had found in the store.”
Author: Gert
Gert’ specialties are any coffee-related projects as well as reports in Dutch, French and English. In his free time he writes novels, plays and poems, and performs spoken word all over Flanders and the Netherlands. He also loves travelling, listening to music and going to concerts. He has a Master in Applied Linguistics and one in Modern Literature.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
Don’t follow the Dutch example if you want to lose customers
It all started in September. I arrived to this beautiful country when the weather was still nice. The air was rich with autumn scents – by the way it was the exact same feeling as it supposed to be according to my Hungarian standards. This means nice and warm sunshine during the day, colour changing leaves, crispy air in the mornings, and so on. It was beautiful, and just the way I like it. For the whole week.
On top of that, everybody was kind and nice, in the shops as well! What to say, I was impressed, how everybody spoke English, how everybody was able to be nice, friendly and professional at the same time. What to say, this treatment fulfilled my checklist for an outstanding customer service, absolutely:
Conclusion: if you want to lose customers, don’t follow the Dutch example.
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Author: Anita @AnitaKocsis910
Anita is an employee of Bare International. Besides her work, she loves doing yoga, dancing, running, travelling and reading – which is why she often wonders how would it be possible to fit one or two more hobbies into her schedule. 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.
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Interested in becoming an Automotive Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Automotive community We Are Cars?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
3 Reasons We Pay People To Lie
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Now of course, we at BARE International -and everyone else who doesn’t work here – do not condone lying as a reliable (no pun intended) or virtuous way of living; indeed, you can get into very serious trouble, should you knowingly tell untruths (you can go to jail for lying in a court of law, for example). So lying is not okay… typically, but we’re all so good at it! Moreover, we begin doing it very early on, some researchers say as early as 6 months old.
That’s only partly true (they don’t really wield a clipboard, though the “I Spy” attire is optional); certainly, the employees of our clients are never mislead or tricked into something untoward, and aren’t in any danger of immediate negative repercussions. The closest it can come to, for example, is a project in which our Evaluators (a fancy word for Mystery Shopper) will appear overtly suspicious during a shop, asking odd questions and generally trying to set off alarm bells in the employee they’re auditing; such signaling might be picked up and acted upon, though even if it is missed, that’s important and useful data too.
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The title itself might be somewhat misleading, if not an outright porky pie. But much in the same way this piece will illustrate, it is in no way harmful, and can be in fact beneficial to both parties (the writer and the reader). The kind of slight-of-hand I’m talking about is utilized by Mystery Shopping, an intriguing, interesting and ultimately fib-fueled world, in which lying helps everybody concerned.
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As children we are all taught – and rightly so – that lying is unequivocally a ‘Bad Thing’, discouraged at all levels by any parent/teacher worth their salt. But here’s the kicker: sometimes it can actually be used for good, and I’m not talking about the little white lies that occur from day to day (”that was delicious!”), nor the big-time (”the moon landing was faked”) kind of lie, but rather a type of lying that can help improve the situations for all involved.
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Don’t believe me? Then I’d say fair enough, considering the above paragraph’s content (and that it’s healthy to have a good dose of cynicism when it comes to reading things on the internet).
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But please, allow me to convince you…
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1 – NO ONE GETS HURT
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To the uninitiated, Mystery Shopping might seem like some clandestine, covert black market; a situation where unsuspecting staff are duped by officious, clip board-wielding telltales clad in beige trenchcoats while wearing sunglasses.
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But the key thing to remember is that it’s a completely safe situation – there’s never been an instance of someone losing their job due to a Mystery Shop, and there never will be. Our Evaluators pose as regular shoppers to aid the actual regular shoppers, and help sharpen the staff of whichever business they have chosen to evaluate.
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2 – ALL-INCLUSIVE IMPROVEMENT
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Of course, humans aren’t the only animals that lie: a few years ago Koko the Gorilla (celebrated for her 1,000+ sign language vocabulary) asked for a kitten to have as a pet, such is her affinity toward felines. Like many, Koko likes to take the credit for her good behavior and blames the bad on someone else. After ripping out a sink from the wall of her habitat, her humans asked what happened.
Koko signed, “The cat did it.”
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Setting aside any ethical concerns, the truth is that when you do a spot of Mystery Shopping, therefore inherently not telling the whole truth, it is good for everybody: good for us (the company on whose behalf you’re Mystery Shopping ); good for the market (as it keeps the ecosystem strong); good for the store (provides useful analytics with which they can improve themselves and their staff); good for the customer (better quality staff & store means better quality shopping & service); and of course, good for you (you stand to make that bit extra at the end of an otherwise predictable month)!
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Customer Experience Research is the name of the game – there’s a formula we use that is as follows: ECX = OE + EC + CS, which stands for Excellent Customer Experience = Operational Excellence + Employee Commitment + Customer Satisfaction. Instead of seeing lies in a single category of selfish and wrongheaded behavior, it’s possible to think critically of lying and to consider instances where it can be productive and healthy. As a first step, you can allow yourself to not feel guilty about what you’re talking about during your Mystery Shop: in fact, a great many of our Evaluators thoroughly enjoy the role-playing aspect of the visits, performing the scenarios confidently and coming up with added details to embellish their backstories. We all like to pretend to be someone else, especially if we’re permitted – and paid!
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Speaking of which…
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3 – YOU GET PAID FOR SERVICES RENDERED
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Either in the form of a shop fee or as a reimbursement, you’ll be able to rack up considerable extra cash come the end of the month. That means you’re able to boost your income by doing a test drive for one of our automotive projects, while also picking up a pair of new shoes effectively gratis (as amount you paid can be remunerated). Fancy a stay in a hotel, on the house? Be my guest. There’s nothing quite like waltzing through the door and giving a false name at the reception; and who doesn’t like knowing they’ve got away with even the simplest bluff (most people are better at it that they’d probably like to think: in a 10 minute conversation with a stranger, we humans will tell an average of 3 lies, though the majority rarely even realize they’re doing it). In addition to the well-known bassline of Mystery Visits, there are several ways in which to make it work best suited your own routine; if you don’t feel like leaving the house there’s Mystery Calling & E-Mailing, used for checking customer service, response time and ease of use.
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Okay, so the previous sentence might sound like it came off the back of one of our recruitment flyers (it didn’t), but the point I’m making is that you needn’t be Lance Armstrong to be one of our Mystery Evaluators. It’s a simple job, and can easily be done well. What’s more, you’ll never have to pay for the privilege of Mystery Shopping, and never should.
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BONUS 4th REASON! – THE MORE THE MERRIER
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In short: we’ll pay you a bonus for every friend you recommend, and the cherry on top is that it won’t negatively affect you in any way at all – many of our projects have a mandatory “cool down” period between shops, so even if you wanted to perform visits week-in-week-out, there’s no guarantee you’d be able to. Introducing someone you know to us is the easiest way in which to keep a healthy cycle time ticking over, meaning that even when you’re unable to do a shop, your friend will be.
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So, to conclude: there are times when not telling the truth is a good thing. Lying to help another person or their business is and should be perceived as good, while lying which has no effect – or actually harms others – is of course wrong. The thing to remember is that, done properly, Mystery Shopping reveals a bevy of benefits, by enticing businesses to up their game (perhaps if a rival seems to be pulling ahead), or even to practice new policies (if their previous form isn’t up to scratch), and that is a benefit to us all as customers. If the boss is evaluating an employee, they’re bound to be on their best behavior: a Mystery Shopper ensures a realistic evaluation based on how employees interact with real customers and not just their supervisors.
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Apologies for such a clickbait-y title, though I suppose you could even consider it as something of a white lie: yes, I’ve slightly exploited your curiosity, but now both of us have benefited – with you learning a little bit about something you (presumably) didn’t really know much about before, and me getting to spread the word. You can’t say we don’t practice what we preach. I mean, would I lie to you?
Author: Richard
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
Antwerp office, a hidden gem!
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Let’s start with some touristic information:
Located in the valley of the Scheldt-river in the North of Belgium, the city of Antwerp is internationally renowned for a couple of pretty nice things: It carries the nickname ‘Diamond Capital of the World’, is home to the 2nd biggest port of Europe and to one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world, was the hometown of famous painters such as Sir Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens etc.
Surprisingly though, there has never been a tourist guide in the world who has mentioned that in Antwerp, you will also find the 2nd oldest Bare Associates International branch, preceded only by the home office in Fairfax, Virginia. At least… not until now: Antwerp office in 5 touristic bullet points!
Vivid history
Truth be told, for a very long time, nothing worth mentioning happened in this building really. But that has changed recently, because in August 2012, after having worked elsewhere in the city for 15 years, the Bare employees could begin to call this building their workplace. Ever since that beautiful day of summer, so many things have happened: Hundreds of clients have visited the office, thousands of coffees have been drunk, millions of phone calls have been made, billions of emails have been sent and received, and so on.
Incredible location
The Antwerp office is located in a street called Meir, which is known as the biggest shopping street of the city. With current retail and luxury clients close-by and possible clients even closer, this location is ideal to host a mystery shopping company. It’s only natural that the employees use their lunchbreak to check out the local businesses from time to time, obviously just for the sake of the company.
Exquisite architecture
Lots of bricks, many windows, several floors and a big bird on top. Fancy!
Epicentre of culture
On any day of the week, you will be able to enjoy a harmonious musical composition, produced by cars, trams, horse carriages and drunk students on beer bikes. However, if you visit the city in the summertime, you might be in for an extra treat, brought to you by one of the many street performers: An opera singer who makes you believe that you have frontline tickets at the Scala of Milan; a pianist, a guitarist and a saxophone player who seem to come straight out of the Royal Albert Hall in London; or even a giant granny rolling by in her wheelchair, like it happened right in front of the office on the 19th of June 2015. True story!
Remarkable people
And similarly to many great buildings, this one as well has been given colour by the people working in it. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are reading this, you will most likely know at least one person working in this office that you simply adore… or love… or like… or of which you can tolerate that (s)he communicates with you… hopefully…
Anyhow, a fact is that this building is a working home to people from many different nationalities (currently 13!), covering a total of more than 10 different languages. An office that is populated by people that accidentally eat the food of their colleagues, people that only realize at night in the pub that they have edited the report of a newcomer that day (“Oh yeah, I thought that name looked familiar!”), people that give Secret Santa gifts to colleagues for which those have no use whatsoever… And always with a smile on their faces!
In short: A cheerful bunch, in a cherished office, in a charming city. Cheers!
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Author: Davy
Davy is active in the BARE International office in Antwerp. He has a Master’s degree in Multilingual Communication, and can get himself understood properly in 5 languages. Professionally he’s mostly busy with cars and wireless speakers, topics he’s fond of in his private life as well – apart from other hobbies, such as travelling, cooking, cycling and football.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
An open letter to Budapest
Dear Budapest,
It all happened on June 8th when we were told we would have the chance to come and visit you.
What an excitement… Your Danube, your bars, your nice people, we have heard so much about you that we couldn’t wait anymore to finally meet you.
Here we are… Thursday evening, rushing after work, getting on the plane…it didn’t take us more than two hours to reach you and we could already see you from the sky, you already looked amazing.
The atmosphere at work was really nice. Our colleagues welcomed us so warmly, it did not feel as if it was the first time we met them. It was as if we knew each other all along. We were so happy we could talk to one another personally instead of via Skype or email. We were happy we had the opportunity to meet and get to know one another. We could finally match faces with the names that we often heard.
Budapest, your sun, your thermal baths, your amazing hills on the Buda side, your restaurants… We would like to say: your everything is amazing. Unfortunately we were too short on time… We assume that you were trying to tell us we should come back to visit you again.
See you next time Budapest, we cannot wait!
Yours,
Ikram & Meriem
PS.: If we were mystery evaluators in Budapest, we would say that we did not do it for the shop fee. We did it to explore the beautiful city. We did it for the lovely memories we got in exchange. The shop fee is the city itself and beyond!
Author: Ikram
Ikram has been a part of the Bare team for more than a year now. She is a native French speaker, but also speaks English, Arabic and Spanish. She studied translation and had the opportunity to live in both Syria and Egypt during her studies. Within the Bare team she is a real community builder who tries to work on activities and relations inwards and outwards of the company. She loves traveling, reading and discovering new cultures.
Author: Meriem
Meriem has been working for Bare International for 1 year now, and she is mainly responsible for projects in Belgium. In her free time she loves spending quality time with her family – especially with her 3-year-old son. She is very outgoing: loves having fun, shopping, travelling and having deep conversations with her loved ones. She has a degree in Office and Data Management.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
Relocation, Location, Location
I’ll keep the introductions brief: all you need to know is that I lived in one country (Scotland) my whole life, and have now been living in another country (Hungary) for the past couple of months, indeed for the next year… and possibly beyond.
The reasons are various, though what’s important is right now (for this blog) is just how the Dickens all of it has been – moving to an entirely new country, which happens to be on the opposite side of the continent, where you don’t speak the language, nor quite understand the currency (367HUF = 1GBP?!).
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Here are three things I’ll mention for now:
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1. A Whole New World (Country)
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I should probably start off with the most profound change of the past four-and-a-bit weeks: an actual switching of country. Not just a change of scenery, or a new view from your bedroom window, but a real, 100% genuine ”everything’s different” kind of altering you don’t normally find everyday.
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I mean, yes – upping sticks from one nation to another where you can’t even read the ”open/closed” sign on a shop door is quite the change of pace; but having to learn (or relearn) an entirely new set of skills and routines is just as jarring/intimidating/exhilerating/exciting!
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Having spent most of the past few years in and around Edinburgh was actually pretty good training for living in and around Budapest: lots of people, lots of traffic, and a frankly ridiculous amount of pretty sights from both a man-made and natural perspective. The architecture of both cities are, of course, world famous. It’s a rare joy to go walkabout in an unfamiliar city and consistently be impressed with what you’re looking at. Oh, and without question Budapest (indeed, many other European cities) has one advantage over Edinburgh in one aspect: the travel pass. For just over £25, this shiny ticket will see you right for a full month, letting you go by bus (trolley bus or regular), tram, metro, train, and even boat absolutely anywhere within the city limits, an unlimited number of times. I cannot overstate how much peace of mind this gives.
2. All Walks Of Life (Culture)
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Remember that bit before when I said ”everything’s different”?
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Not completely true. Yes, there are many differences: cinemas only serve salted popcorn, Hungarian men shave their armpits (not in Scotland), but there are also similarities. Food is very similar, and the Hungarian/Scottish sense of humour makes for natural bedfellows. Working in BARE International’s Budapest office helps ease any cultureshock or homesickness-inducing anxiety. As we work so closely with our friends in Belgium, a real team spirit is palpable. Everyone is contstantly on skype for both the most important conference calls and the smallest of questions. Even further, technology enables us to interact with offices even further afield, with the USA, India and China all reachable at the click of a mouse. It’s a cliché, but being able to actually speak to and hear a person in real time goes a long way. You get a feeling of presence, therefore the most enjoyable and efficient work can happen.
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3. Ain’t No Sunshine (Climate)
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In Scotland, there’s the saying, ”If you don’t like the weather, wait for five minutes”. The Brits are (in)famous for their obession with small talk relating to amateur meteorology, and thanks to the mercurial nature of clouds above the UK, it’s not unfounded. It’s pretty much given that in the months of July, August and September, the weather in Budapest is rarely anything other than tan-tastic sunshine. Almost certainly more than these three, but I haven’t experienced others first hand. One of the first things talked about if I mention I’m living in Hungary is how I’m surviving being a milk bottle-coloured Scot (spoilers: SPF is my new BFF). For native Hungarians, however, conversations about how the weather is would become repetative pretty quickly.
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A quick note on hearing the Hungarian language day in, day out: at first it may sound quite argumentative, so even if you hear a mother and daughter talking perfectly well about how they slept last night, it’s easy to mistake it for a long-brewing fight.
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BONUS 4TH POINT!
4. Faster Than A Speeding Bullet (Commute)
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The absolute cherry on the cake in regards to my moving to a complete different country to a new job is how darn quickly I can get there; because of where my apartment and workplace are situated, I can easily make it from my front door to my desk in five minutes. To put it in perspective, my previous job took a 3-hour round trip to get from my town into Edinburgh (honestly though? It was worth every bum-numbing minute), whereas now it’s 2 minute dash to the office if I run.
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There may be much I miss having left the place I called home for almost quester of a century, but there is even more I am looking forward to in the coming year. The past few months have been an enjoyable, sometimes surprising learning experience, and I’m sure the next few will take it to new heights.
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Not to brag, but you know… I don’t think I’ve ever had it so good.
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Author: Richard
Richard is a real community builder, involved in various activities within the office, helps charities and has a degree in filmmaking and screenwriting. He’s a ”Creative”, interested in telling stories, making connections and helping generate ideas. An avid reader, he is passionate about gaming, food (don’t feed him after midnight) and history. He has plans for the future, and you -the one reading this sentence- are part of them.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
Mystery Shop At a Rock Festival
With BARE International we have all sorts of mystery visits, in a wide variety of industries. But what would the comments of a mystery shop at a rock festival look like exactly? We can only have a wild guess here.
You have applied for a ‘Festivals International: ALL’ visit. You have to visit the following festival location:
Shop: Pukkelpop
Location: Kiewit, Hasselt, BE
Shop date: 18th of August 2016
Your scenario: You have an eclectic taste in music and are looking for some alternative bands to discover. You are open to many kinds of music.
Please visit at least the following departments: Main Stage, Marque, Boiler Room, Club.
DO NOT visit the Main Stage from 10:40pm to 12:10am!
What did you experience at the entrance of the location? How were you greeted/approached?
Before I entered the festival I noticed the bills advertising for other festivals. When I entered I was immediately greeted in a friendly manner. I had to place my belongings in a plastic box and walk through a detection gate, while security had a peek in my backpack. As the alarm went off I was frisked by a male security guard. They all did this with a smile and kind words.
Please write a comment about how you were helped with finding what you needed.
At the entrance there was a huge board with a timetable, where I could already make my own needs analysis and select which bands I wanted to check. There was a lot of choice, with over 80 bands and DJs to choose from and at least 10 stages to go to. There was also a catalogue with all the acts listed A-Z and a short and funny description. I think this was nicely done.
What did you particularly like about this visit?
What I particularly liked about this visit is the variety of bands. I think Wolfmother, The Last Shadow Puppets, Bloc Party and The Tallest Man On Earth gave some really interesting concerts. The pad thai I had for dinner, purchased from one of the many food stands, was excellent and not too spicy.
What did you not like about this visit?
What I didn’t really like about this visit was that The Avalanches had cancelled their concert. Even though we knew that upfront, it wasn’t really a positive aspect. It would also have been better had the concerts of Mastodon and Warpaint not overlapped, as I had to choose Mastodon, but also was interested in Warpaint. It wasn’t a very easy choice and I didn’t really feel respected as a customer. I didn’t quite like the loud basses during Half Moon Run. I think sound quality could improve here.
Please upload your POV.
As a proof of visit I uploaded a picture of my wrist with the Pukkelpop wristband. You can check the day of the week and the date on it: THU 18.
Any tips for future evaluators?
Bring earplugs to the festival!
Author: Gert
Gert specialties are any coffee-related projects as well as reports in Dutch, French and English. In his free time he writes novels, plays and poems, and performs spoken word all over Flanders and the Netherlands. He also loves travelling, listening to music and going to concerts. He has a Master in Applied Linguistics and one in Modern Literature.
Interested in becoming an Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
Celebrating the 5th birthday of Budapest Office
It has already been 5 years since the office in Budapest opened its doors and started taking part in the customer research business. About these 5 years Shaalan, one of the company’s earliest hires gave us some insights.
You are working for BARE International for 5 years now. What was your first impression of the company?
Before I joined the company I already worked for it as a Mystery Evaluator. If I remember well, I did a jewellery visit. So I knew more or less how the Evaluator side works, but was curious about the other side of the job. I applied and got hired. After joining I received a 2 weeks’ training and was very interested in it, because previously it was really foggy how the visits and Resource Managers are working from the inside.
What was the office like?
It was a small starting team with 5 members who spoke different languages, plus the Office Manager. The small office was located near the Hungarian Parliament. It had a great view.
How was your first year?
I remember I picked up the phone on my second day and got many countries to manage like the Middle East and after that lots of Easter European countries I had no knowledge of at all. First of all I had to learn the culture and the different behaviours that could cause confusion. During the first year I got used to the job itself and this was the time when we started to build up our Evaluator base, because that wasn’t very big in Europe at that time. But after 1 year you will know your Evaluators by heart and you build trust with them and the community you manage will become more stable.
What has happened during the 5 years that have passed? It’s a long time, what kind of milestones do you remember from all these years?
Yeah, I grew older, moved in a lot of positions, but I was all the time around people. It was either community management or recruitment. I became more experienced in the job, but challenges are still there. This industry can surprise you all the time with the increasingly newer problems that need to be solved. Then come the brainstorming, trials and errors until we find the solution. Really exciting.
What did you learn so far?
Language barrier can be a big obstacle to do the job right. Most of the people at this company speak around 2.5 languages, but in worst-case scenario you can always use Google Translate. And of course language knowledge is important, but techniques and knowing how to use the given tools matter more. However, all these achievements wouldn’t be possible without our Evaluators and co-workers. Working in a team carries the greatest value for me.
What were the greatest achievements?
We are always growing, just like the office in Antwerp does. From 5 members in Budapest we grew significantly, around 40 people are working in the office now. Also, the offices in Europe are unique. The amount of talent accompanying with the cultural diversity makes them very colourful. You cannot find a similar atmosphere in other BARE offices across the globe. Our colleagues are from different European and Middle-Eastern countries, we even have some co-workers from Latin-America. It comes in handy because of the historical background of Europe and the amount of countries we are handling during the projects.
What do you think, what will the future hold?
We are trying to get more clients on board to continue growing. I was always a fan of showing the clients how we do a customer research, it’s not like a simple questionnaire. That’s why they turn to us and don’t do it in-house. We are the experts and we are the ones who can provide fact-based research on how they perform and in which areas they can improve. We are not only highlighting the problems, but we can give a detailed plan of how to overcome these issues and improve their ranks. It is more like consulting than simply providing a customer research and I think BARE International can do this as well. So I see our future in turning towards consulting.
Author: Anita @AnitaKocsis910
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 Evaluator with BARE International?
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Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
„Employees first, customers second” – said so many
Wow, isn’t that a radical thought coming from an employee of a market research company that is fully dedicated to help raise customer satisfaction? Or maybe not.
Thinking of it, this should be the basic idea of how a company works. Just like Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group said in an interview with Inc.: „Virgin does not put the customer first. In fact, Virgin employees are the company’s top priority.”
That sounds nice, but what does this have to do with customer service?
To put it simply, a lot. “It should go without saying, if the person who works at your company is 100 percent proud of the brand and you give them the tools to do a good job and they are treated well, they’re going to be happy,” and also “if the person who works at your company is not appreciated, they are not going to do things with a smile,” Branson says to Inc.. If I continue this way of thinking then I would add that if an employee is not treated well, then the company can end up losing valuable people who could have contributed to its growth.
Have you ever asked what will happen if a Mystery Evaluator gives a bad feedback? Will the owner of the company think employees first in this case too?
Good question. We don’t have an exact answer for this, but we heard some very promising things from our clients. Usually what we see is an ‘employees first’-attitude. Our clients are trying to help with trainings to those who are not performing very well. And on the other hand if somebody is made redundant it is not because of the mystery visits’ results.
In some cases the whole purpose of the mystery visit is to determine what topics to put in a training program, so the employees will get all the support from the company to do their job as best as they can.
As a result our Mystery Evaluators are helping a lot not just for the brands to provide a better customer service experience, but for the employees as well to find more satisfaction in their work.
What does your company do for you to feel valued?
Author: Anita @AnitaKocsis910
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 Evaluator with BARE International?
[maxbutton id=”20″]
Want to be a guest blogger for BARE’s Mystery Evaluator’s Community?
Apply to: akocsis@bareinternational.com
Mystery Evaluator Meetup in Budapest
Bare International held a Mystery Evaluator Meetup in its Budapest office in May. Therefore we would like to thank all the Evaluators who participated, for taking the time to give us the opportunity to get to know you much better.