Badi hires Nadine Piecha as head of UX research

London: Room rental marketplace Badi has announced the hiring of Nadine Piecha as its head of UX [user experience] research.

The move comes as Badi looks to invest in a UX Lab with the ambition of better understanding its users’ needs following drastic market changes during the global pandemic.

Focused on making the Badi product better for its community, the team of UX researchers led by Piecha will ensure the room rental platform is leading the industry when it comes to understanding the changing needs and challenges of its users.

In response to initial research, rentals can be booked now, with an agreed later move-in date in the future. These are secured through the Badi platform so that new homes will be ready post COVID-19. 

If intended move-in days need to be rescheduled or postponed beyond the anticipated date, Badi has updated its cancellation policy in line with the current crisis to help users handle any possible modifications.

Badi claims to sets itself apart as an end-to-end platform that connects landlords with room seekers by using AI [artificial intelligence]. The company allows anyone to publish, find and book a room safely from anywhere in the world.

Piecha will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in developing and implementing UX strategies, including product testing to improve customer retention, loyalty and revenue. During her time at eDreams, she built and led a strong team of researchers and analysts who conducted quantitative and qualitative research to support product development.

Prior to eDreams, Piecha worked at eBay where she was tasked with managing large-scale, international online surveys to monitor customer satisfaction and help the company focus on product areas that needed investment to enhance customer loyalty and improved customer retention.

Piecha said: “We are aware that our users currently have other concerns over and above looking to move home. But we are also convinced that new opportunities will open up for us in the period after Covid-19 and we want to be prepared for that.

“My job is to understand exactly why users behave in a certain way and to draw conclusions for different processes. I’ve always been fascinated by what motivates and drives behaviour.

“It’s my job to learn why users act the way they do, and what they need to have a better life. There has never been a more important time to apply this thinking and my experience at Badi as we enter a period of huge change for the rental market,” she added.

Carlos Pierre, founder and CEO of Badi, said: “Attracting the best international talent is important to us. We’re committed to making Badi as great as it can be, that includes having a class-leading booking system that helps renters and landlords to book with confidence whether that’s now or in the future.

“As we continue to grow, we need the best people to help us shake up the industry to continue to put security, trust and customer satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. Nadine’s experience in this field is already proving to be a huge asset to us and we’re delighted to welcome her to the Badi fold,” he added.

Badi, which launched in 2015, achieved an average YOY growth of 450 per cent from 2015 – 2019.

To support its continued growth, the company added 135 new employees to its team over the last two years. Badi is now present in major capitals, such as London, Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin.

For more information, visit the Badi website here.