Voice to Action – the power of staff surveys


Are your employee engagement efforts hitting the mark, or could unseen gaps be quietly undermining your team's productivity and morale? Staff surveys stand out as a powerful tool for unearthing valuable insights that can drive positive change within organisations and this is an area our team can help with.

Spring’s renewal energy is the perfect backdrop for initiating or revisiting staff surveys. Whether launching a new survey or evaluating the progress from past actions, this season encourages reflection and renewal.

Real Success Stories: Small Changes, Big Impact

Surprisingly, it's the simple feedback that often brings about the most immediate and impactful results. Take, for instance;

    • Employees proudly wearing company logos on their overalls, fostering a sense of belonging and pride.
    • A shift from caps to sunhats with neck flaps, significantly reducing the risk of sunburn.
    • Enhanced safety through new road markings around a depot.

These specific changes were sparked from staff surveys Grow HR helped employers with.  Taking action on the feedback not only brought tangible improvements but also boosted morale visibly.

With a strategic approach to questioning, staff surveys can uncover recommendations for broader organisational enhancements.  Examples we have seen over time at this level from surveys we have helped with have included;

    • Diversification of training programs to grow skills and knowledge leading to greater retention of staff
    • Modernisation of office spaces to boost productivity
    • Increased social events to strengthen team connections 

The Blueprint for Survey Success

Achieving meaningful results through staff surveys hinges on several pivotal steps:

    • Define Clear Objectives: Before launching a survey, its about pinpointing what you hope to achieve. This clarity helps with type and size of survey and ensuring the results are actionable.
    • Customise Your Questions: Tailor questions to touch on specific concerns and aspirations of your workforce instead of relying on a one size fits all.   Customisation makes a survey more relatable and boosts response rates.
    • Guarantee Anonymity and Confidentiality: Assure participants that their responses are anonymous and their confidentiality safeguarded. This assurance is fundamental to getting candid feedback.
    • Commit to Action: Feedback is only as valuable as the actions it prompts. Share the findings and outline specific steps to address the feedback.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Managing surveys internally can seem efficient, but it’s fraught with challenges: potential breaches of confidentiality, survey fatigue, and unintentional bias. Outsourcing to specialists like Grow HR ensures a tailored approach, fostering trust and ensuring the relevance of your questions to your unique team dynamics.

A recurring challenge is the failure to act on survey findings, which can lead to disengagement and mistrust. Establishing a clear timetable for action and follow up can help maximize the benefits of your efforts.

Are you ready to unlock the potential within your team through insightful staff surveys? Reach out to louise@growhr.co.nz