July 31, 2012

Dear Members,    

For two months now, I have been participating on the Neilsen Homescan Consumer Panel!  Scanning and sharing is already integrated into our family's lifestyle. 

The Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behaviours, so this is your opportunity to have your consumer voice heard and make a difference, while earning great rewards! Homescan® panelists have the power to influence product manufacturers and retailers, thereby shaping products available in the Canadian marketplace.   

You've seen MyBindi inviting participants to join this panel at various festivals.  Some of you wrote in with some questions and so I thought I would take this opportunity and remind you of all the salient points about this program in this email:  

Frequently Asked Questions about the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel:  

Q:  Is there a cost to join this program?

A:  No, there is no cost to join the program.  There are no contracts and no special purchases to make to enroll yourself into the program.

Q.  How does the program work?

A:  Nielsen will provide you with an easy to use handheld scanner with which you can track your household's weekly shopping habits.   If you have a computer at home, you can simply transmit the data (once a week) to Nielsen via their online software.

Q.  How do the rewards work? 

A:  The more you scan, the more points you receive which can then be redeemed for name-brand merchandise from Nielsen's gift catalogue, including electronics equipment, jewellery, household items, toys, gift cards, and more! And the longer you stay on the panel, the more rewards you'll earn!  

Q:  Does this mean the points I receive are based on how much I am shopping?

A:  Actually,  the point system, it doesn't go by how much someone spends.  It is based upon if someone transmits the data every week. Whether you spend $1 or $50 you will still get the same amount of points.  The idea is to share your purchase behavior  on a weekly basis.  If you don't buy anything one week you can still transmit in that there were no purchases and get points.  The amount of weekly points you get depends on how long you have been on the panel.  The longer you are on the more weekly points you get.         

Q:  Am I just sharing food purchases?   

A:  No.  You can scan all items that have a barcode.  This means toiletries, gadgets and even household supplies. 

Like I said in my earlier email, we're always asking you for your opinions.  Mostly it's so that we can better serve you in terms of the content we offer you.   You've always been generous with your time and feedback.  We're very grateful to you for that as you've helped shape MyBindi. 

This time, I am asking you for your feedback on something different.  It's actually more than just feedback.  We're asking you to share your shopping habits with us.  You've all heard of focus groups where you sit around and share opinions.  Often there's also some payment incentive for participants.   We're working with Nielsen on a similar initiative except instead of sitting in a room full of strangers, you get to do what you always do.  Go shopping!    

Whether you purchase paneer or pancakes, atta or almonds, basmati or basil, every purchase you make represents the purchases of people just like you. Nielsen wants to know where your dollars are being spent and...they'll reward you for it!

Just imagine. Wouldn't it be great if grocery stores offered the products you wanted most? What about more vegetarian selections? Would you love seeing your favourite desi brands in mainstream stores? Whatever your opinions, Nielsen wants to know!  

 Have your say. Make an impact. Enjoy the rewards.