Hi there,
A key part of cross-functional collaboration is gathering and synthesizing feedback.
Whether you’re evaluating a current process or gathering insights on how to build a new one, synthesizing feedback usually means: a survey.
A survey that ends up with a 5% response rate.
How are you supposed to build a new process when only 5% of the stakeholders share insights?!
⚡ Supercharge of the Week
Remote Octopus recommends asking stakeholders to vote on their individual preference for the format of sharing feedback, such as through a survey or a 10 minute phone call.
By checking in with each colleague in advance, you can tailor how you’re gathering feedback to meet their preferences. You’re also providing choice which leads to a “sense of control and ownership” in the process.
The next time you need to gather feedback, try sending a Slack group or channel message to identify your colleagues’ preferences.
EXAMPLE IN ACTION
Hi there! Gathering insights to inform our Q3 sprint improvements. Drop a 📎 if you’d prefer to receive a 10 minute survey or a 💬 if you’d prefer a 10 minute Zoom to share your thoughts. If another strategy is easier for you, feel free to thread. Looking forward to connecting.
Note this strategy works best when gathering feedback for <10 people. If you’re working with a larger cross-functional group, consider which 10 stakeholders might provide the most tailored feedback and reach out to that group first with this message — or you might choose to stick with a survey and offer choice through another mechanism such as asking if stakeholders would prefer open response v. ratings or which week they would like to complete the survey. Introducing any element of choice and buy-in should up the response rate.
💪 Is it a little more legwork up front for you to create a survey, conduct a few Zooms, then synthesize and analyze the insights into one document? Yes, but it’s worth it. You’ll send the survey to folks who prefer it and elect into receiving it – which typically leads to higher survey response rates. You’ll have 1:1 Zoom conversations that can lead to richer qualitative feedback.
And in the end, your new and improved process will have a higher likelihood of success because it will be informed by a larger percentage of stakeholder feedback… way more than 5%.
👀 ICYMI
🐙 Remote Octopus Resources
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