We are never too perfect or the absolute best at everything NOT to ask for feedback from our clients, stakeholders, or teammates. There is always room for improvement and growth on many different levels. Input from your network can offer guidance for better communications, systems and service. When you are passionate about doing your best and providing unsurpassed products and service, then requesting candid feedback is a must.
We need feedback in order to keep ourselves in alignment and not attempt to dance in tunnel vision.
Don’t think of it as criticism, but an opportunity to discover what is working, what isn’t and where you can make corrections, further develop your processes or enhance your performance. If you aren’t asking for input, then you are losing the chance for change.
“Feedback is the food for champions.”
What you do with it is then up to you. Choosing to only ask and then ignore ensures stagnation, a place to remain the same with closed ears. If you want to elevate you and your business, then you need to be prepared to listen, evaluate and take action.
Feedback is a tool to identify strengths, weaknesses, isolate problems, boost execution and improve your operations.
Consider Feedback as a SHARP tool
Specific: when asking for feedback, make sure you request details on what is working and what isn’t. Where did you fail or hit the mark.
Honest: feedback should be nothing but brutal honesty or it is pointless
Actionable: consider each sentiment and statement. Think deeply and take it to heart. What action steps can you implement?
Recovery: know that these learning cues are meant to be authentic, valuable tools, rich with insight to make amends, re-evaluate and upgrade
Progress: feedback allows you the greatest opportunity to instigate change for forward movement. You should feel empowered, like an endorphin rush, with such SHARP information.
Embracing feedback is a gift to you and your business. It reflects your professionalism, your dedication to correcting things and demonstrates your desire for exemplary customer service. Follow up on concerns and implement action, letting your responders know you are committed to change and improvement based upon their helpful feedback.
Leverage feedback to deliver value and exceed expectations.
Excellent post, Suzie! Feedback is key from clients and from professionals we work with in a business or outsourcing capacity. If you are not asking for feedback from your clients, you are missing an opportunity to not only improve your own business, but to address things that your clients may be hesitant to tell you.
Thank you John. Feedback is absolutely invaluable.
I know especially with working with photography clients feedback is vital to the ever changing world of imaging. I really enjoy feedback and I think from clients it is the only real feedback one will get, I can post pictures online and people will like and +1 but the clients who are paying for the work will tell me what they want and what they especially like after we are done. I also try and take that information to move forward with providing a better service for my clients, the tough part with imagery is each one has a different eye and outlook on how their images should appear.
Hope you are having a great weekend !
Ed
Thank you Ed. The likes, shares and comments are important, showing we are on track with our content, but the feedback of those we service is even more vital. It gives us the needed direction for enhanced service, troubleshooting and better customer service.
Fantastic weekend here in NC. Wonderful weather and dear friends. I hope RI is the same for you. The foliage must be beautiful!!
Suzie