Feedback is one of the most important things anyone can ever receive–only through feedback can we know whether we are on the right track. This is true in all aspects of life, as a doctor needs feedback from his patient to see if a treatment works as planned, a teacher needs feedback from their students so they know the student comprehends the lesson being taught, and a good boss seeks feedback from his employees to see if they are happy and satisfied with their work.
How exactly to get that feedback is a challenging task. Let’s take a look at some ways to get feedback in a post-meeting session to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows that their thoughts and feelings are being taken into account.
What Kind of Feedback Is Needed?
Post-meeting surveys do not have to be about what was discussed–they can also ask for new ideas, feedback on recent performance, and follow-up questions. Here are a few types of questions that can be asked after a meeting:
“What Questions Do You Have?
Although this is best to ask before the meeting itself has ended, it is sometimes helpful to send a follow-up email to the participants asking if there are any questions about what was discussed that day.
“Do You Have Any Concerns?”
This is a tricky question when sent by email, as a meeting attendee knows that any feedback they give has their name and email address attached. If the attendee has genuine concerns, they may share them; however, if they have criticism, they may be less likely to share it in this format. Expect emails like this to be polite but less honest.
“What Would You Like to See Discussed at the Next Meeting?”
This is a fantastic way to ask a question that might get you the answer you actually wanted to hear from “Do you have any concerns?” By asking the question in this format, you are giving attendees the option to choose what they wish to discuss, as they may be more willing to share in this type of format.
Workplace environments can also benefit from asking this question, as employees often want to discuss aspects regarding pay, workplace policies, and general procedures. With this question, employers can better understand what is at the heart of an employee's concern.
“Are There Any Changes You Would Want to See?”
By asking the question in this way, you allow the person to share a concern or criticism they may have without directly asking them what is wrong. This allows the attendee or employee (in a workplace) to feel more comfortable sharing their ideas about what could be done better and more effectively.
Online Survey Tools for Meetings
One of the easiest ways to get feedback from people after a meeting is to use an online survey portal to follow up on anything discussed in the meeting. Online survey tools, such as those offered by ElectionBuddy, are easy to set up and can teach you how to create professional surveys for your meetings. They are also easy to send to the participants so they can log in and share their thoughts and ideas after a meeting. They are also a huge time saver, allowing a complete survey to be carried out in minutes, rather than asking each meeting attendee their individual thoughts.
Online survey tools can be set up to be public, where all other users can see what has been said or the results of the survey. This allows attendees to understand the overall feeling of the group and can be a positive force for good if they see that others are on board with an idea. Of course, they can also be set to private or even anonymous–private surveys allow the participant to share their thoughts only with the organizer or boss, which is a great way for the boss to examine attendee thoughts individually. On the other hand, anonymous survey tools allow meeting attendees to submit their thoughts completely anonymously. This is a huge advantage, as it allows attendees and employees to share their honest opinions without fear of consequence or reprimand.