Whenever we’re hired by a new client, it’s non-negotiable that at least two members of our team fly, drive, bike, or trike to their market for two days to get to know them, their company, their city, their competitors and their culture.
We send the employees an anonymous survey.
Before doing so however, we send both a series of prep question for the owners and an anonymous survey to their employees where they are encouraged to speak frankly for the good of the business.
Now, that survey is proprietary, and it’s been labored over for years, so no, I’m not sharing it with you. Sorry. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you, and you may be seeing some of it sooner than later in book form… :0)
But here’s our new question…
While visiting a new client in Colorado Springs recently Deidre had a wonderful question that we’re going to be adding to our anonymous survey (bringing our questions to the company’s team to a total of ten), and since we’ve yet to add it, I want to share it with you because I believe it can help you identify blind spots in your company.
Plus, we’re on a survey kick this week… we suggested one on Monday, and tomorrow (Thursday), we’re sending out our annual Reader Survey.
What was the question?
“If you owned the company, what would you do differently?”
Isn’t that a billion dollar question? It’s simple, yet I like it so much better than the ever-present “if you had a magic wand question” because it raises the (hypothetical) stakes for the employee anonymously answering the question. It also communicates that this new marketing company (us) reinforces—through our First Order of Business framework—that it’s not only optional to listen to employees, it’s mandatory.
Our new super survey question not only has the potential to reveal numerous blind spots to the owners, but it announces (or reinforces) a Culture of Ownership among the employees.
Be prepared.
Be prepared to possibly have your feelings hurt… but get over it… and give thanks you have employees who care enough to want to help you grow your company.
Be prepared to share the results. Be prepare to take action.