标签存档: mysteryshopping

Data-Driven Decisions: Boost Your Business

In the business world, every decision can directly impact a company's results. However, many organizations still make decisions based on assumptions or intuition, without in-depth analysis. 

The key to sustainable success lies in data-driven business decisions, which allow companies to identify trends, fix inefficiencies, optimize processes, and enhance customer experience. 

With BARE International’s research solutions,  you can turn information into actionable strategies that drive real results. 

Data help answer fundamental questions, such as: 

  • What do your customers really want? 
  • Where are the bottlenecks in customer service? 
  • What are the main factors influencing customer loyalty? 
  • What improvements can be made to maximize team performance? 

Data analysis not only provides answers but also allows your company to anticipate trends and adapt strategies to remain competitive in the market. 

How Does BARE International Help Your Business Turn Data into Action?

BARE International offers research solutions that enable companies across all industries to collect and analyze strategic information to improve performance. 

🔎 Trend Identification  
Through detailed evaluations, we identify consumer behavior patterns and anticipate market changes. 

📈 Service Optimization
Analyzing collected data allows effective adjustments in operational processes, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

🎯 Enhancing Customer Experience 
With valuable insights, your company can personalize interactions, eliminate friction points, and deliver memorable experiences to customers. 

Strategic Decisions Start with Reliable Data

Data is the fuel for sustainable business growth. By making decisions based on accurate information, you can reduce risks, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. 

Want to optimize your strategy and boost your results?
Transform data into action today: Request a FREE quote!


At BARE International, we pride ourselves on helping businesses decode these customer behaviors. Whether it’s uncovering hidden trends or designing feedback loops for continuous improvement, our research empowers brands to stay ahead of the curve. 

Want to learn more about what drives customer loyalty in the airport lounge and financial industries? Reach out to us today to explore how our tailored research can take your CX strategy to new heights. 

Tell us about your business and what keeps you up at night. We can help. 

Uncover the Truth About Your Customer Experience with Mystery Shopping

Every business strives to deliver the best possible experience to its customers, but does the service provided truly meet expectations? Often, small details go unnoticed by management, directly affecting customer satisfaction.    

To gain an objective and unbiased understanding of the customer journey, Mystery Shopping has become an essential tool in the market. It allows companies to evaluate service quality, adherence to brand standards, and operational efficiency from a real customer’s perspective.

What is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery Shopping is a research methodology where trained evaluators act as regular customers to assess and report their experience. This approach provides detailed insights into customer service, product availability, store organization, and employee compliance with company guidelines.  

At the end of the evaluation, businesses receive comprehensive reports highlighting strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to implement strategic actions to enhance the customer experience. 

Benefits of Mystery Shopping for Businesses

Investing in a Mystery Shopping program can significantly improve various aspects of a business, leading to more efficient service and higher customer satisfaction. 

  1. Identifying Improvement Opportunities

Mystery Shopping helps reveal inefficiencies and service gaps that might go unnoticed by management. From inefficient processes to inconsistent service quality, these insights allow companies to correct issues before they impact customer perception. 

  1. Enhancing Customer Experience

A positive experience increases customer loyalty and brand advocacy. By leveraging insights from Mystery Shopping, businesses can make data-driven adjustments that improve customer satisfaction and engagement. 

  1. Improving Employee Performance

Employee interactions shape the overall customer experience. Mystery Shopping enables companies to assess staff behavior in different scenarios, providing valuable data for training programs and performance enhancements. 

  1. Continuous Monitoring of Service Quality

Implementing changes is just the first step. Regular evaluations help track progress and ensure that improvements are maintained over time, leading to long-term business success. 

  1. Competitive Advantage in the Market

Companies that use data-driven insights to optimize customer experience stand out from the competition. High-quality service builds a strong reputation, fosters customer trust, and drives business growth. 


BARE International’s Expertise in Mystery Shopping

With over 38 years of experience, BARE International is a global leader in Mystery Shopping solutions. Since its founding in 1987, the company has helped businesses across industries enhance their services and deliver exceptional customer experiences. 

Operating in over 150 countries, BARE International develops customized Mystery Shopping programs to meet each client’s unique needs. The company boasts a global network of highly trained evaluators who conduct in-depth research and provide precise reports to support strategic decision-making. 

Decades of expertise have made BARE International a trusted partner for businesses seeking to improve performance and ensure service excellence.


Enhance Customer Experience with BARE International

Achieving service excellence requires data-driven strategies and deep customer insights. Mystery Shopping is an essential tool for businesses looking to understand customer perceptions, correct shortcomings, and strengthen their market positioning. 

If you want to elevate your customer service and stand out from the competition, rely on BARE International’s expertise. Request a quote today and discover how a Mystery Shopping program can transform your business: 

Request a quote with BARE International

Discover How Surveys Can Revolutionize Your Customer Experience

Customer experience is one of the key factors determining a business’s success. Satisfied customers not only return but also recommend your brand to others, helping to build a positive reputation and drive growth. But how do you know if your company is meeting customer expectations? The answer lies in customer experience surveys.

The Importance of Surveys in Customer Experience

Customer satisfaction and experience surveys provide valuable insights into what consumers really think about your products, services, and customer support. By collecting and analyzing this data, your company can:

  • Identify strengths: Discover which aspects of your service are most valued by customers.
  • Fix issues: Detect problems in customer service, product quality, or any other touchpoint in the customer journey.
  • Anticipate needs: Understanding customer expectations allows your company to offer solutions before issues arise.
  • Make strategic decisions: Base your actions on concrete data, optimizing resources and ensuring continuous improvements.

How to Conduct Customer Experience Surveys

Define your objectives. Before conducting a survey, clearly determine what you want to learn. This could be overall satisfaction, perception of a specific service, or the shopping experience.

Choose the right format. Use online surveys, interviews, post-purchase forms, or even direct email evaluations.

Ask strategic questions. Opt for direct and objective questions such as "What can we improve?" or "How would you rate our service?".

Gathering data is just the first step. The key is in applying the insights gained.

Turn Feedback into Action

BARE International has over 38 years of experience providing data-driven insights to help businesses enhance their customer experience. With our customized solutions, you can identify trends, resolve issues, and elevate service quality.

Request a FREE quote for your research project. Request A Quote

Invest in customer experience and strengthen your business.

 

At BARE International, we pride ourselves on helping businesses decode these customer behaviors. Whether it’s uncovering hidden trends or designing feedback loops for continuous improvement, our research empowers brands to stay ahead of the curve. 

Want to learn more about what drives customer loyalty in the airport lounge and financial industries? Reach out to us today to explore how our tailored research can take your CX strategy to new heights. 

Tell us about your business and what keeps you up at night. We can help. 

BARE INTERNATIONAL HONORED WITH ELITE RESEARCH FIRM STATUS ACROSS MULTIPLE REGIONS

Global Experience Research Firm BARE International earns Elite designation from Mystery Shopping Professionals Association Americas and Europe/Africa.

BARE International Europe has been announced as an Elite Customer Experience Firm and will be awarded at the MSPA Europe/Africa annual conference in Portugal in May.

“To be compliant with MSPA Elite membership standards is part of the BARE Europe everyday life,” shares BARE Europe General Manager Jenő Zsiga. “We are really proud of being awarded this designation which validates our commitment to high quality standards as a customer experience service provider and reliable partner.”

The announcement comes on the heels of BARE International’s record ninth consecutive honor of Elite status designated by MSPA Americas for their North America corporate office.

MSPA, the trade association for companies engaged in creating, measuring, and enhancing the customer journey, announced the MSPA Americas Chapter winners of its annual Elite program for 2023 at its recent CME Conference in New Orleans.

MSPA Americas Elite companies are those members of the organization which most support the mission and objectives of MSPA Americas, as set annually by the board of directors, in advancing the stature and relevance of the trade association. The designation, earned through advancing association goals in 2022, is effective for 2023.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of MSPA Americas, I’m proud to congratulate these outstanding companies for their support of our association’s mission, and their leadership in advancing the association’s goals for the customer experience and retail service provider industries as a whole,” said MSPA Americas President Stan Hart. “We all are grateful for their lead-by-example support, and we are honored to recognize them for achievements.”

The MSPA operates on a regional basis worldwide, with Chapters located in America, Europe/Africa and Asia/Pacific.  Member companies unite as a common body for the purpose of strengthening the Mystery Shopping industry through combined efforts and actions.

“It’s an honor to be an Elite member of MSPA Europe/Africa. We want to continue to innovate for our clients and for the industry,” says Antonio Maiorano, Business Development Manager of BARE International Europe. “Customer experience research is an ever-changing environment, and we strive to be the trail blazers and discover new paths for experience excellence.”

“For 35 years, we’ve dedicated our business to providing the best, actionable insights to our client partners,” adds Jason Bare, Global Vice-President. “As we look forward, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional results for our clients. This award is a strong validation of our work and encourages us to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

In July of 2022, BARE International celebrated 35 years and introduced a soft rebranding including a modern logo that further defined the evolution of Customer Experience Research and BARE’s commitment to providing support businesses need.

“Our clients are true partners in business, and we share their goals,” stated CEO Dale Bare. “We recognize that each client has a unique path based on their needs in that moment of time, and we’re here to provide guidance through meaningful insight collection and analysis.”

Read the original press release here.


About BARE International

BARE International sets the industry standard as the largest independent provider of customer experience research, data, and analytics for companies worldwide. Founded in 1987, BARE International is a family-owned business with global capabilities. BARE is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Fairfax, Virginia with ten offices around the world. To learn more about BARE International’s customer experience research services and their dedicated field force of evaluators, visit http://www.bareinternational.com

About MSPA Americas

MSPA Americas connects and supports businesses which measure, quantify, aggregate, interpret, and re- define customer experience through varied research and merchandising methodologies. Widely recognized as the leader in customer experience measurement, management, and training, MSPA Americas provides essential support to its members, and promotes the benefits and services of its diverse companies to enhance the industries they serve. Learn more at https://www.mspa-americas.org/

About MSPA Europe/Africa

MSPA Europe/Africa is the trade association representing the customer experience industry, established to provide timely, actionable, and impactful resources for shaping the future of business communities. MSPA Elite is an awards program designed to recognize the leading companies that are shouldering the advancement of the customer experience industry. Learn more at https://www.mspa-ea.org/

About BARE International

BARE International sets the industry standard as the largest independent provider of customer experience research, data, and analytics for companies worldwide. Founded in 1987, BARE International is a family-owned business with global capabilities. BARE is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Fairfax, Virginia with ten offices around the world. To learn more about BARE International’s customer experience research services and their dedicated field force of evaluators, visit http://www.bareinternational.com

WHAT IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO HAPPY CUSTOMERS?

The number one goal for businesses is to keep their customers happy. We don’t think any differently, and we’re ready to share the secret ingredient on what makes our client partners – our customers – happy. But what is this secret?

In addition to quality and professionalism, the true secret ingredient is the people. Our colleagues and the relationships between them are what makes BARE special. Our innovation methods, project management strategies, and collaborative methods have worked for more than 35 years because we think and work together as one team.

Many different cultures, nationalities, and personalities make up our global team. Group dynamics, cooperation, and inspiration help us to successful projects. We don’t back down from a challenge because we know we have support; someone has the answer, or we work together towards a solution.

In addition to online meetings, we invest in face-to-face meetings for teams across the globe to meet and collaborate. We battle “Zoom Fatigue” with select in person meetings for big projects and future strategic planning.

Last month, Business Development BARE colleagues from four different offices – representing a dozen different countries – flew to our Budapest office to and plan together.

“I love any opportunity to get the team together to strategize and share best practices around a physical table,” shares Global Vice President, Jason Bare.

“There’s a value in people getting together to share experiences – both frustrations and successes – that you can’t get from a video call.”

The BARE team participated in meetings and team building activities, ending the days with dinners and team bonding. They were able to advise each other, sharing opinions and perspectives from different experiences, a practice that has allowed BARE to grow internationally.

Your business challenges are unique. Our diverse team of colleagues is how we’re able to discover unique solutions! The BARE team is constantly evolving, with new ideas born out of experiences and different perspectives, guaranteeing success that we share with our client partners.


Author: Kíra Szabó – Budapest Office – Europe

BEWARE: EMAIL SCAMS

Beware!
Scams are circulating around and pretending to be BARE, including fraudulent prepayment checks, letters via mail, and email scams.
All evaluators for BARE International must be registered and would never receive prepayment for services. Payments are via Tipalti;
Cashier Checks appearing to come from BARE are a sign of a scam.
All legitimate BARE International emails end with @bareinternational.com. 
Thank you for alerting us to any possible scam so we can take action immediately!

Please be aware of possible email scams pretending to be BARE International.

All evaluators for BARE International must be registered and would never receive prepayment for services.

Actions Considered as Fraudulent

STAY AWAY FROM BELOW FRAUDULENT BEHAVIOURS!

Having Multiple Shopper Accounts

At all time, we only allow one evaluator account per person. Creating multiple accounts is considered as cheating and fraudulent activity; we will deactivate all your accounts once we found out.

Evaluation assigned to you should not DONE by anyone else!

An evaluation/ shop assigned to you/ your account has to be completed ONLY by you. You are not allowed to share your account with someone else, or ask someone else to complete a visit on your behalf. If we detected dishonest activity, we will exclude the shop and deactivate your account. Remember, there are always ways to find out more

Revealing your identity

Revealing your identity as a mystery shopper during an evaluation is strictly prohibited. Under all circumstances, you should never ever reveal your identity even if you are asked by the staff during the visit

Claiming a refund for a reimbursement audit

Claiming a refund, for a purchase visit is strictly not allowed, unless it is instructed by BARE in writing. All purchase receipts are checked by the clients

Scenario breach

Every Evaluator has to strictly follow the scenario step by step as mentioned in the evaluator guidelines.

Some examples of scenario breach:

(a) If you were to visit the shop alone, but you brought a friend along

(b) Complete the shop by checking a different product than the assigned one

Provide FAKE data

Evaluator should provide all relevant information based on the real visit experience.

Some examples of fake data:

(a) The POVs (storefront photos, photo of the receipts) are being edited

(b) The audio recording was being edited

(c) Evaluator filled in bias/ negative comments due to some personal issue with the staff and etc

Shoppers changing the demographics

Evaluators are not allowed to fake your personal information i.e. date of birth, gender, first name, last name, and your location.

Remember, we deserve all RIGHTS to deactivate your accounts and to not pay for the visits if we detected fraudulent activity.

Facts about Self-Assign

What is self-assign?

Self-assign function allows evaluators to instantly assign a shop to themselves as long as they meet the pre-defined quality criteria rather than allowing you to apply for a shop and then wait for a scheduler/ Resource Manager to assign you the shop. Self- assign shops are assigned on first-come-first serve basis.

What is pre-defined quality criteria?

It varies across the projects as different projects have different requirements i.e. demographic, shopper’s grade, qualifications and etc.

How do you self-assign?

As long as you meet the pre-defined quality criteria, you will see the self-assign button in the job board, click on it, put in your planned visit date accordingly and done! An assignment confirmation e-mail will be automatically sent to your mailbox, do check it accordingly!

What do you do after you self-assign a shop to your account?

After you self-assign a shop to yourself, you take the full responsibility to ensure that the visit is completed successfully (by yourself) within the deadline.

You are advised to follow the below steps:

1. Download and read through the evaluator’s guidelines

2. Read the questionnaire

3. Take the online test

4. Perform the visit accordingly and submit the report within 24 hours

5. Contact the respective Resource Manager if you are in doubt or there is anything unclear. You may find the contact details in the evaluator’s guideline.

BARE Evaluator: Code of Conduct


Recently, we received a complaint about a mystery shopping visit, which we would like to share with you.


As required by the project guideline, a BARE evaluator obtained the contact information of several employees from the target brand stores.

However, after the visits were completed, the evaluator kept in touch with these employees in private, during which the employees were verbally offended and harassed.

After having verified the evaluator’s inappropriate behavior, we immediately deactivated his Apollo ID and added to our blacklist. At the meantime, we also reported this case to MSPA and CMRA to ensure this evaluator would no longer be used in this industry.

In addition, considering that the misconduct of this evaluator has seriously affected our company brand image and reputation, we have also involved local legal department to investigate legal liability.

We will also provide active support to this client, by providing related information and evidence so as to facilitate their legal process.


An incident like this is the least we would like to see, neither do other companies in this industry.

We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm BARE company philosophy, that is for evaluators to respect BARE’s evaluator code of conduct and BARE’s clients, so as to work together with us to ensure positive and sustainable development of the industry.

01

Evaluator Behavior

Evaluators, as independent individuals entrusted by BARE, perform assigned customer experience research tasks and by return obtain the corresponding reward. They represent BARE during the visits, and thus they should maintain professionalism as market researchers, and always pay attention to their words/deeds, and avoid the following inappropriate behaviors:

Contact BARE clients in private

For whatever purpose, evaluators should not ask for personal contact of the clients (unless specified by the project) during the visits, and should not keep in touch with the clients in private after the visits. Disputes with or harassment to BARE clients, in particular, due to personal emotional reasons, are strictly prohibited by BARE.

Unprofessional appearance

BARE assigns tasks to only qualified evaluators after the screening, and on the basis of mutual trust, we expect our evaluators to be professional. When performing visits, especially luxury or high-end brands, evaluators should mind their appearance and hygienic condition, as well as courtesy and manners.

Behaviors that would affect the result of the visit

For certain projects, BARE does not strictly limit the number of people to accompany the evaluator, but if the visit is performed with the company, the evaluator is obliged to ensure completeness and impartiality of the visit. Behaviors like constantly chatting with the companied person during the visit would by no doubt affect the result of the visit.

02

Below behaviors are not allowed

Provide FAKE data

The evaluator should provide all relevant information based on the real visit experience.

Some examples of fake data:
– Edited POVs (storefront photos, photo of the receipts, etc.);
– Edited audio recordings;
– Biased/negative comments filled in reports due to some personal conflict with the staff

Scenario breach

Every Evaluator has to strictly follow the scenario step by step as stated in the evaluator guidelines.

Some examples of scenario breach:
– You are required to visit the shop alone, but you bring a friend along;
– You have completed the shop by checking a different product than the one indicated in evaluator guideline.

Other Behaviors

– Duplicate accounts;
– Re-assign the agreed task to another person without permission from BARE;
– Fake personal profile in order to meet project requirement;
– Proactively reveal mystery shopper profile during the visit to demand a bribe or for other purposes;
– Refund the product that has already been reimbursed by BARE, in order to gain double pay.

All the above behaviors, once verified, BARE would immediately deactivate evaluators’ accounts and take corresponding measures depending on the severity level.

03

Mutual Respect and Protection

We hold the belief that most of BARE evaluators have passion for this industry and would respect our company philosophy and project requirement. Therefore, while expecting professionalism of the evaluators, we would also respect and protect their personal information and privacy to the utmost extent.We call for our evaluators to inform us the very moment they encounter any inappropriate words or acts from BARE client, so that we could take immediate action after verification, in order to provide them with a trustworthy shopping environment where their privacy and safety could be guaranteed.

BARE hope to work together with our evaluators, on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, toward establishing a higher standard for customer experience industry.