If everyone was direct, open and specific about their opinions on all issues, surveys would not be needed. However, the reality is that surveys not only get opinions that are hard to get otherwise, they are also valuable because:

1. They cause people to think more since they can take time and come up with a deeper answer.
2. Some people will respond in writing and not verbally.
3. The questions can be specifically written to find out exactly what you need to know.
4. It is easy to collect a lot of data to determine a baseline. The baseline can be used to determine the effectiveness of future actions.
5. Common themes across the board can be identified (instead of only hearing the squeaky wheel). This creates focus on what is most valuable and powerful to do.
6. Common themes in one functional area or business unit can be identified to spot a problem before it occurs.
7. Current successes and capabilities can be protected. This is important so you are not running from one side of the ship to the other based on sporadic non-statistically valid data.

There are many types of surveys. The main four types of surveys we see utilized by organizations are:

Read More on the Various Types of Surveys in this Month’s Compass Check

For a review of your previous surveys and how you can improve them, or for getting a program started for your leaders, team and/or culture, contact CClemmer@AppliedVisionWorks.com or call our expert guides at 800-786-4332. We have tools and resources to help gauge your organization’s leaders, teams, and culture. It takes just 30 minutes to get started.