Introduction
In 1750, Benjamin Franklin shared his insights on electricity in a letter to the Royal Society in London, acknowledging its length: “I have already made this paper too long, for which I must crave pardon, not having now time to make it shorter.” Similarly, French philosopher Blaise Pascal in his Lettres Provinciales wrote, “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” These historical quotes remind us of the value of brevity, especially when collecting B2B survey feedback after an IT project.
Why Brief is Best in Feedback
Good feedback is short and action-oriented. Busy managers don’t have time to read pages of text. They need clear points that help them understand what went well and what didn’t.
People taking surveys are also often short on time. A few well-chosen comments can provide the extra information that helps make sense of the ratings provided. This information can lead to better discussions and decision-making.
Using Feedback to Improve, Not Complain
As Benjamin Franklin said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain – and most fools do.” Feedback should help improve business outcomes with a clear action plan.
When providing feedback on issues, it’s better to give specific examples instead of broad generalizations. It’s important to describe what was observed while keeping emotions out of it. Broad statements can make things a lot worse instead of solving the problem at hand.
Training for Better Feedback
Consider providing some guidance or training before your next technology engagement survey. This can help survey takers provide feedback that is brief, emotionally intelligent, and focused on outcomes. This leads to valuable feedback that can help improve relationships and results.
Simplicity for More Effective Feedback
Just as Benjamin Franklin and Blaise Pascal spoke about centuries ago, the ability to communicate succinctly is a valuable skill. When it comes to B2B technology engagement surveys, brief, focused feedback helps relationship owners understand the challenges of a project more clearly. By providing guidance, with a focus on concrete examples and thoughtful responses, survey participants can provide more actionable insights. The goal is to use this feedback to drive better business outcomes and strengthen client-supplier relationships.
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