LATEST NEWS
EuroConsumerPanel, closer to expats
EuroConsumerPanel was present at the “Welcome Fair”, the fair of expats
The 15th edition of the “Welcome Fair” was hosted by Autoworld. This fair, organised by the weekly magazine The Bulletin, is aimed at expats living in Belgium. Its objective is making it easier to the newcomers to establish themselves, both practically and socially. The “Welcome Fair” has also a vocation towards expats who are already settled for some time to get them acquainted with new services or associations.
Various service organisations, such as schools, banks, insurance companies, airline companies, recruitment and temporary employment agencies, and all kinds of associations, have thus set up their stands for the duration of a weekend in the exceptional surroundings of the Cinquantenaire.So it went without saying that the Euro Consumer Panel would be present at this big-scale gathering of expats.Moreover, the “Welcome Fair” appeared to be an excellent occasion to make contacts with numerous associations, such as Expatica.com, the Brussels Business Over Breakfast Club, the Brussels British Community Association, the British and Commonwealth Women's Club Brussels, as well as Toastmasters, etc.In between the Cadillacs, Matras and other Aston Martins, we thus had the opportunity to meet expats from all over the world. No matter they are Australians, Americans, Indians or Finns; they all arrive in our country with dozens of expectations: the search for a new job, a promotion, the desire to broaden their horizons...We hope that those various encounters will allow us to develop sustainable relations with the expats and, as a result, to strengthen the development of the Euro Consumer Panel.November 2008
Discussion groups, a place for social contacts
Of course, participating in a market study is giving one’s opinion as consumer, listing positive and negative points of a product or service, suggesting innovations or improvements and so helping to propose changes that respond to the needs of the public.
But encounters in the Consumer Lounge sometimes lead to making social contacts or bonds of friendship. Studies carried out with the Russian speaking population of Belgium testify to this. This summer some twenty ladies of Russian, Ukrainian and Georgian origin initially gathered to discuss a new dishwashing product meant for the Russian market.“They clicked with each other immediately,” explains Masha, the moderator of the Russian language groups. “This study was took place in several waves. In the course of their gatherings to discuss new products, they started to create real bonds of friendship.” Today the study has finished since almost two months, but the ladies still meet up regularly to go for a coffee or come and eat together. “Last week some of them even proposed me to join them for a Russian ballet! I would have joined them with pleasure, but unfortunately my schedule did not allow me.”Debating about a new product leads in that way to unexpected encounters, encounters that are often welcome for expats who are new in a big city.So do not hesitate to take the plunge, and come and join us in the EuroConsumerPanel!December 2008
EuroConsumerPanel as seen by the Participants
Market Research may sometimes seem complicated or opaque for consumers... This actual situation discourages some people to take the plunge and give their opinion in order to contribute to the improvement of services and/or products.
Based on this finding we stepped up to women who took part in studies organized by the EuroConsumerPanel in order to discover their state of mind after having passed the consumer surveys...Whether they are Belgian, Russian or British, they all have something in common: they highly appreciated the EuroConsumerPanel experience! “I have discovered this panel through an email from the English embassy,” explains Diana, 53 years old, a Briton who lives in Belgium since 4 years. “I had already participated in this kind of surveys 10 years ago in Canada. I preferred giving my opinion during these interviews here in Brussels because the moderators take their time about understanding what we are exactly looking for in a product.”“What I like as well,” continues Sylvianne, 39 years old, from Brussels, “is that we are in the field. We are immediately welcomed in a real kitchen, real drawing room or real bathroom. The environment is thus more suitable to give relevant suggestions. We can directly put the ideas that we submit into practice.” “The idea of reproducing the spirit of a real house,” adds Diana, “makes us more relaxed. I think it is a good approach because this atmosphere gives us the sensation as if we feel at home. Moreover, snacks and drinks are offered every time.”“The study in which I took part,” explains Bella, 30 years old, a Russian who lives in Belgium since 3 years, “ requested to give one’s opinion about a new dishwashing product that was going to be launched on the Russian market. We participated in several consumers’ meetings. During those meetings we had to explain the elements that we did not like in the product that we had tested. Once our remarks were taken into account, they have improved the product and asked us again what we thought about it.”Would you like to get even more information about our studies? Do not hesitate to send us an e-mail: info@euroconsumerpanel.com.January 2009
The Consumer Lounge, seen on the inside
After having met some participants of the surveys, from now on the EuroConsumerPanel opens the doors of the Consumer Lounge for you. Do you wonder how this particular Consumer Lounge may look like? Here is a short description illustrated with photos!
The Consumer Lounge presents itself as a little house made up of a lounge, a bathroom and two kitchens. Why two kitchens? The fact is, many surveys take place in this small room in order to test dishwashing liquids, brushes or detergents.
Besides this houseroom, one can discover a small shop: “The Store”. Inside this small-scale supermarket, you could explain us your consumption habits and discover brand-new products! Interested? Feel free to register yourself to sign up at our panel by clicking on “Become member”! September 2009
The EuroConsumerPanel supports the traineeship scheme of the European Commission – external cooperation office
Each year the AIDCO trainees (external cooperation of the European Commission) organise a study trip at the end of their five months traineeship in Brussels.
After studying the theory in the hearth of the capital of Europe it is time for field practice in a country supported by the European Commission!
This year the trainees have decided to discover and help Ethiopia. During about ten days they will participate in prevention actions against AIDS/HIV and discover the development programme on access to running water. “I think this trip is marked by two main aspects,” explains Justine Delloye, trainee: “visiting a European delegation and seeing the “development” landscape of a so-called developing country. Yet, at the moment we are trainees at AIDCO and more in particular in the head office in Brussels. However, to a large extend external cooperation takes place at the level of the delegations, especially since a recent decentralisation attempt towards those European “embassies”. It is in that framework that we want to visit an EU delegation, as well as some development projects, whether or not financed by the EU. Its purpose is to have a complete view on the project or aid cycle in a more general way, as well as to obtain a general view of the development system in a country. With a broader view, all this is to round out our training.” The entire team of the EuroConsumerPanel wishes those young trainees a fruitful trip aimed to follow their mission in a good way!