Mystery Shopper - Nature Scope Realm And Arena

The Nature, Scope, Realm And Arena That Is “Mystery Shopping” Or Incognito Business /Customer Services Investigations, Observations, Evaluations, Report And Feedback

The first thing that you need to take into consideration in regards to mystery shopping is just what is it? It is about MORE than just the mystery shopping experience, planning and activity, reporting, follow-up and staying in touch (or not!). You are in the business of making connections, building relationships and professional alliances, collaborating to make business and customer service BETTER! You are in the business of performance excellence. You will no longer merely be going into an establishment to shop, question, pose a challenge or complaint, script or act. You are not just there to eat, sleep, and give your opinion and leave. That might be the actual process or event – how it unfolds in practice, BUT there is much more in advance, during and following this ‘evaluation/observation’. You will be paid for this service and it is just natural that there will be more to it than meets the eye – there will be more at stake and more work required to get things done. Planning for earnings, cash flow, feasib

ility and rewarding enterprise will also form part of your activity as you go along and grow in and through every process and experience.

You need to understand the underlying reasons and motivation for businesses to need, want, request or insist on these types of professional service intelligence type providers and the input, reviews and insights they (can) provide. It is an invaluable service that they would otherwise be missing out on.

This is for some a part time pursuit, for others a full-time hobby or a flexi-time occupation. Other franchise, sub-contract and branch out, train others to do the tasks required of this service/provision, some growing so large that they have to expand, offer more services, contacts in multiple locations. You also need to plan for growth and expansion.

You need to prepare these resources well, as you will be putting your trust and reputation in what they offer and do (or not!). Have them operate and run their portion of the business similar to what you would expect the best from them and yourself.

There are certain requirements and additional considerations as you start out mystery shopping for/at businesses

· when you get to or enter locations be alert and observant

· make notes

· try to notice the small things, take in the whole picture and customer experience

· look for things that please, irritate and annoy you, invite and excite you

· take note of specific things

· look for what you are expected to report back on

· Look to say much about what you see, hear, experience, miss, enjoy most while there

· Try to focus on the things that seem of utmost importance and can be of MOST use to the business owners – ask yourself – if this was your location, what would you like to know, learn, discover about your business

· Be truthful and honest about what you see and experience – good, bad and ugly!

· Write and respond from the client, consumer and customer’s point of view.

For many mystery or guest shopping assignments you might have to review specific employees, roles, functions and/or people/individuals, groups and more. They might receive some promotions, bonuses, recognition and/or be fired based on what you say. What the mystery shopper has to say about them and how they helped or was resourceful might help them. Punishments and/or negative feedback might also occur. This should not deter you from sharing the facts openly, truthfully and fairly.

Mystery Shopper is a fact-based, reporting type business, that at its very core has integrity, authenticity and credibility.