About a month ago, I noticed an addition to the ladies’ locker room at my health club. A wooden Suggestion Box sat on the main table alongside a stack of blank note cards and a sign inviting customer comments. So I took advantage of the offer and made a suggestion.
I thought nothing more of it until I got an e-mail from the gym. It was sent to all members using the ladies’ locker room and listed every single action the club took in response to member suggestions. There, about a third of the way down, was mine: Make People magazine available. (Yes, I’m among the millions of people who love People. Admit it: you do, too.)
Then, I realized there were many other improvements/additions I’d seen at the gym in recent weeks. Healthy snacks were now available (free!) in the ladies’ locker room on Sundays, just like in the mens’ facility. Additional spinning classes were added. The audio system piped throughout the gym was upgraded. The list went on and on.
What impressed me most was that the health club did something with member suggestions—and let us all know. High five, JCC!
Even if the e-mail to us members had only included reasons why the health club couldn’t do X or Y, I would’ve admired the effort. The fact that management followed through with customer feedback surprised—and delighted—me.
When you do a customer survey, one of the very first things you must decided before you even begin is this: What are we going to do with the information we receive? You have to be prepared to act on it, and then you need to communicate back to the customers who took the time to give you feedback.
As a customer, I can tell you the effect of getting a follow-up e-mail after a service provider asks for feedback can be thinking:
- You did something with my idea.
- Your survey wasn’t just a phony, go-nowhere gesture.
- You take me seriously.
- My suggestion mattered.
- You’re listening.
- You’re interested in improvements.
The next time you do a customer survey, make sure you’re prepared to act on the feedback. Then, share the good news.
Following Through on Customer Feedback
About a month ago, I noticed an addition to the ladies’ locker room at my health club. A wooden Suggestion Box sat on the main table alongside a stack of blank note cards and a sign inviting customer comments. So I took advantage of the offer and made a suggestion.
I thought nothing more of it until I got an e-mail from the gym. It was sent to all members using the ladies’ locker room and listed every single action the club took in response to member suggestions. There, about a third of the way down, was mine: Make People magazine available. (Yes, I’m among the millions of people who love People. Admit it: you do, too.)
Then, I realized there were many other improvements/additions I’d seen at the gym in recent weeks. Healthy snacks were now available (free!) in the ladies’ locker room on Sundays, just like in the mens’ facility. Additional spinning classes were added. The audio system piped throughout the gym was upgraded. The list went on and on.
What impressed me most was that the health club did something with member suggestions—and let us all know. High five, JCC!
Even if the e-mail to us members had only included reasons why the health club couldn’t do X or Y, I would’ve admired the effort. The fact that management followed through with customer feedback surprised—and delighted—me.
When you do a customer survey, one of the very first things you must decided before you even begin is this: What are we going to do with the information we receive? You have to be prepared to act on it, and then you need to communicate back to the customers who took the time to give you feedback.
As a customer, I can tell you the effect of getting a follow-up e-mail after a service provider asks for feedback can be thinking:
The next time you do a customer survey, make sure you’re prepared to act on the feedback. Then, share the good news.
Long regarded as a print buyer expert and trade writer, Margie Dana launched a new business as a marketing communications strategist with a specialty in printing and print buying. She is as comfortable working in social media as she is in traditional media, and now she’s on a mission to help clients build customer communities through carefully crafted content. Dana was the producer of the annual Print & Media Conference.
Although she has exited the event business, Dana is still publishing her Print Tips newsletter each week. For more details and to sign up for her newsletter and marketing blog, visit www.margiedana.com