I just read an interesting article on Asking for Feedback today.
If you shoot off a quick email to everyone you know asking for their opinion you have no control on what you receive. Will it be helpful to you? Will it be actionable? If all you are looking for is acknowledgment then by all means go ahead. However, if you want to use the feedback to improve, then you need a different approach.
Spend some time thinking about the kind of feedback you desire. Make a list. Then, match that list to the people you can ask. Send a personalized email to that person asking for the specific feedback. You should also include why you are asking that person as it will likely make them feel good and also provide you better feedback.
Instead of asking:
Friends, please tell me what you think of my new website.
Consider:
Diane, I love your sense of design and how you make things look simple. Could you please give me 3 suggestions on how I can make my new website simpler.
Posted under General
This post was written by john on November 18, 2008
