RDSolutions is justifiably proud of its dedicated nationwide workforce of trained researchers, each well-versed in data collection and in-store operations best practices, working on behalf of our clients and their specific business needs.
To celebrate our retail associates, we will highlight a few of those team members so you can learn a little more about them and what inspires them as they contribute to the success of our organization.
Name: Patricia “Pati Jo” Bihl
Location: Naples, Fla.
Years working for RDSolutions: Since July 2024
How did you get started as a field associate?
After working in retail/administration jobs for over 20 years, I decided I needed some time off. But I came to find out I like being busy and started looking for something I could do part-time. After searching, I found RDSolutions and put in my application, … [though I] really wasn’t sure what the job was about. I honestly thought it would be data entry of retail items, which, for someone who loves Excel, I figured it would be a great match. Fast forward to talking with the onboarding team, this match was perfect! I love the variety of work, I love driving, and I love numbers.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
It’s hard to pick just one favorite. I enjoy the undirected jobs, I’m sure like most RAs. The directed jobs I like, even though I am not as fast as most on those types of jobs, mainly because I take the collection criteria quite literally and will search for the correct item. The InfoQuest jobs were my favorite. Now that they go by auto assignment, I have only received a few and that is after my DM would assign them to me. I live in a remote area and I am outside the mileage for the auto assignments.
What would you like people to know about your job?
This job requires flexibility, willingness to drive and the motivation to want to improve. Trying to explain to family and friends what I do and why is pretty difficult. Since I have been in retail, I see why this information we are asked to collect is important, but I cannot explain why or what the client is looking for, which is what they always ask.
If you weren’t an RDSolutions field associate, what would you be doing?
I would most likely be in management of some kind. I was a store manager, office manager and personal assistant for over 13 years, all at the same time. I was in charge of everything including inventory, bookkeeping, payroll taxes, schedules and POS systems. My family says I love chaos and numbers.
What do you always buy when you shop for groceries?
When buying groceries, there are staples that I always buy. The main items are flour, yeast, sugar, coffee, cheese and lunchmeats. I make pretty much everything I can from scratch.
What are some of your favorite brands?
To be perfectly honest, I don’t have a favorite brand. I don’t like to spend money, so I watch the sales. Back in 2016, I even made an Excel spreadsheet to track prices, sales, etc., that I still use today.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love being outdoors in the sunshine, pulling weeds and mowing, and up until recently, taking care of our chickens. The wildlife, mainly coyotes, foxes and raccoons in my area, loved our chickens as much as I did. When it is raining out, I can be found in the kitchen or in my sewing room, quilting, cross-stitching or just generally making something.
Favorite food?
Anything with pasta, cheese or bread. I am a traditionalist when it comes to food. Chicken tetrazzini or tuna noodle casserole with homemade rolls, I could eat all day, every day.
What teams do you root for?
Even though I played every sport available to me, I don’t have a favorite team anymore, but I do have a favorite sport and that’s hockey. I had season tickets to the Florida Panthers for years until I moved to the west coast of Florida.
Do you have pets, and if so, what kind? What are your favorite pet brands?
Two cats, Gummie (The Prince) and Princess. My favorite brands for them, and only because they prefer it over my homemade food, are Meow Mix Gravy Burst dry food and 9 Lives Hearty Cuts in Gravy. The litter I use is actually horse-bedding pellets; during the COVID years, I switched because my area was always out of stock.
