Features of the Very Best Feedback Tools

Interested in knowing more about the best feedback tools available to your organization? We have reviewed, tested, and gathered a range of solutions that can be:

• Sent as a survey, posted on a website, emailed as a link or incorporated into an email signature
• Email signature usage shows people you are committed to ongoing feedback and creates a “halo” effect for you, elevating your image to clients, coworkers, supervisors and others with whom you interact regularly
• Anonymous, optionally anonymous or with identities fully disclosed
• Styled like a forum, blog, survey or combination
• Used for mass communication or one-on-one  feedback
• Accessible to the public or restricted in access
• Focused on a specific target group (i.e., employees, customers, members…or a combination)
• Affordable and cost-effective for any size organization, department or person

This does not mean the end of regular meetings or direct email. Customized feedback software tools are intended to be used to encourage constructive communication between you and others. They are not a substitute for one-on-one conferences, nor will they replace face-to-face meetings — at least, not in most cases. Suggestion Boxes can, however, make meetings more effective, their outcomes more meaningful and, ideally, save time by moving some items online.

Suggestion Guru’s selection of recommended products have one important theme in common:  each is intended to expand overall communication by documenting and tracking your feedback, ideas and suggestions without revealing individual identifying information. Problems, complaints and difficulties concerning specific incidences  or people are normally best resolved through other channels.

Individually identifying information is never revealed — either on-screen or in any reports — unless you authorize it be. Any contact information you provide is voluntary. An exception is some blog-style suggestion boxes which have elected to require membership. In most cases, however, you need not use a “real” name for your ID.