by Michelle
Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:02 pm
From: William Brooks [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 3:13 PM
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: Re: [Michelle Banks] - Job Application for [Full time/Part time Consumers Position]
Hello Michelle,
Thank you for considering this wonderful opportunity. Conducting surveys is one of the most effective ways to understand clients, customers and employees. Brand Solutions hire candidates both locally and internationally to conduct survey on variety of products and services that are either about to be introduced to the market or already in existence.
We conduct several types of Market research/survey such as;
Marketing Surveys
Product Surveys
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Human Resources Surveys
What/Who is a Secret Consumer Researcher?
A Research/Secret Consumer is a secret agent at an assigned business establishment. Secret Consumers Researcher must complete their assignments and go undetected,they receive assignments consisting of a variety of business types such as: restaurants, food chains, automobile dealerships, retail stores, and more.
Businesses benefit from the services of Secret Researchers because they report their unbiased review from a customer standpoint. This enables the business to identify problems that could result in a unhappy customer and loss of sales. As you can see, Secret Consumer Researchers have a great responsibility and are paid accordingly.
What makes a good Secret Consumer Researcher?
As a Research agent,you need to show commitment,have a good memory and excellent observational and report writing skills. A Secret Consumer must also be prepared to work to strict deadlines and return reports as soon as possible after completing any given assignment,normally the same day or the day after at the latest! Flexibility and enthusiasm are a must.
Can you make a full time living out of Secret Consumers Research?
No, Research Consuming does not provide a full time living,clients want to use everyday consumers who are going about their normal daily lives. It is a great means of supplementing your income or an opportunity to earn a few extra pennies in your spare time.
As a Research agent you could:
Earn $150 to $300 per assignment
Have a flexible schedule and hours
Work part time or full time.
Get free merchandise e.t.c
How will I get selected for an assignment?
Being selected for an assignment will depend on a number of factors. When you show interest to be a Secret Consumer,you may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your interest and hobbies. We use this information to show you the assignments which you are most likely to be suited to.
Sometimes,our clients ask for assignments to be completed by people who meet very specific criteria to help them gain an alternative perspective. In certain circumstances you may be required to undertake a test assignment for training purposes.
What will i do when I am Researching/Secret Consuming?
You'll be given specific instructions for completing any given assignment to enable you get it right the first time. While being a secret consumer, at a business location,you will be observing cleanliness,service quality and other standards important to the business and its customers. Questions on the evaluation might include things like: Were you greeted within 60 seconds? were the floor clean? Did the person who took your order suggest additional items? Was the salesperson able to demonstrate product knowledge by answering your questions? Did the cashier count back your change say thank you?
When you leave the business,you will enter the answer on a report from or write a narrative report describing your experience.
Will the employees know that i am a Secret Consumer?
NO. At first,you might feel like you have a neon sign that says " Secret Consumer" blinking on your forehead,but they really won't know. If for some reasons someone asks you if you are a Secret/Consumer Researcher,just say no or play dumb " Secret Consumer? What's that?
More information will be given to you on Research assignments once you have been selected.
Are you set for assignments? Send me an email with the following details;
Full name
Contact address
Phone Number
Age
Occupation
This is required for payment purpose and also to determine the availability of duties withing your location.
Do send it as soon as possible.
We look forward to working with you.
William Brooks
Brand Solutions Central
[email protected]
From: William Brooks [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 3:10 AM
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: Your first secret research assignment
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your willingness to take part in our surveys. As we know the festive season is here again which brings about a huge increase in business activities (Buying and Selling). It is our collective responsibility to provide a good business environment for customers who may be buying goods from stores, to those transacting businesses with banks and not forgetting those customers who make use of various money transfer facilities to get funds across to their loved ones and so on.
The main aim of this survey is to enable customers get value for money during this year end celebration.
In line with your Secret Shopping application,Brand Solutions invite you to run a survey on three prominent business establishments in your area.
1) Financial Institution
Due to the introduction of various means of banking such as ATM machines to ease the hassle of long queue while trying to withdraw money,online banking and other self service program put in place to reduce the many banking problems,many bank staff have now relaxed in their services to customers.
Some of the lapses are:
i) Longer transaction time on a single customer thereby creating long queues and increased waiting time.
ii) Lack of skills/professionalism
iii) Failure to confirm from a customer if he/she is satisfied after an operation
iv) Poor customer/account officer relation
v) Unorganized banking hall
vi) Longer check cashing period
vii) Non coordinated check cashing process
You may have visited your financial institution severally and feel they are up and doing but when a detailed attention is paid on their activities,you will be surprised at your findings.
You are hereby required to visit your financial institution on a secret assignment to determine if lapses truly exist,what the lapses are including the above mentioned ones.
Cashing a check will increase your chances of detecting faults/lapses in the banking operations. To this effect,a check will be sent to you for these assignments, Upon receiving the check,Proceed to your bank to have it deposited/cashed while posing as a Secret Consumer Researcher.
Observation is key in this process,be smart,be observant because you will submit a detailed result of your findings,most importantly, do not get noticed.
The Check cashing assignment attracts a payment of $100.00 meaning you will deduct $100.00 from the Check after you have cashed it since it is the money from the check you will apply towards the completion of other secret research assignments below.
2) Wal-Mart/Sears Stores
The management of Several Wal-Mart and Sears stores have reported laps in some aspect of their business services caused by some members of staff.
Your findings here will enable them improve their services for the forthcoming festivities.
Your secret research is:
To Ascertain that these lapses do exist by going to a Wal-Mart or Sears store to make a purchase of any item(s) of your choice worth $100.00 preferably an electronic item.
The purchase of an item will enable you gain entry and spend some time at the particular store for observation purpose.
Reasons for the Wal-mart assignment
I) Poor services
ii) Rude staffs
iii) Excess charges
iv) Inappropriate opening and closing time
V) Poor standing/seating arrangement of staffs
Your payment for this shopping assignment is the $100.00 worth of item(s) you will purchase. This means that any item purchased during your shopping exercise should be kept by you for your personal use.
The $1000.00 should be deducted from the check you cash in the first assignment (Banking assignment).
3) Transfer Assignment
To ascertain the ease,advantages or short falls of online instant funds transfer as against mailing checks/money orders and the lapses or irregularities that may occur in the process. You will make a transfer of fund from a Western union location to another Secret Consumer in a different location. The funds will be picked up by a secret consumer at a particular location where customers have severally complained about.
Some of the reasons for the Western Union assignment are:
I) Missing or incomplete funds after transfer
ii) Slow services caused either by Western Union Server or staffs incapability
iii) False exchange rate
iv) Incompetent workers
v) Inability to handle large transactions ($2,000 and above)
vi) Longer Queues.
Take note of the time you arrive at the Western union location and how long it will take you to complete the transaction.
Some staff do not assist customers to fill the transfer forms,it should also be included in your observation.
Addresses of the various locations will be sent to you. Also, the name and location to whom the money transfer should be made to will be sent to you. A comprehensive report is needed on every activity you perform.
The transfer assignment attracts a duty fee of $200.00 which should still be deducted from the check you cash in the first assignment.
You should also provide the name of the cashier that attended to you.
Another email will be sent to you containing your duty description and all other information that will enable you have a successful completion of your duty.
Research Consumers are in no way required to use their personal funds for any given assignment.
Your total payment is $400.000
Bank assignment $100.00
Shopping Assignment $100.00 (purchase of item)
Transfer Assignment $200.00
It is highly important you check your mail regularly and endeavor to reply to any email sent to you in a timely manner.
Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this email,let me know if it is well understood.
Regards,
William Brooks
Brand Solutions Central
