An Internal Team Survey
As 2012 comes to a close, I decided to take some time to reflect on this last year and really think about how I can use the experience we have gained as a company to evolve and grow even more in 2013. I think that in order to have an effective team and productive teamwork, you have to continually get feedback, have group and individual discussions and integrate team ideas wherever possible.
In the spirit of teamwork, I asked the team to fill out a survey I prepared for internal use only. I asked questions about their role at Eminent SEO – what they love and what they hate about their job. I asked them to answer questions about what they like to eat, do in their free time, where they would travel. I asked them about our processes and daily workflows – what they think we do well, what we can improve upon, what tools we should consider using. I wanted to find out what they thought our goals should be as a team and for them as individuals and what would incent them to reach these goals.
The directions instructed them to send it back to only me and the rules were there are no rules. It was fun and very enlightening to read over the responses. Some were funny, some addressed pain points, some questions were skipped over and some came with long, well thought out responses. It was nice hearing from everyone – getting honest feedback about areas they know they can improve on individually and as a team. Getting into the nitty gritty of some day to day processes that could use some improving really opened my eyes to a few things I didn’t even realize were going on.
By the time I finished reading the responses I realized how invaluable this information will be to me as I prepare to take Eminent SEO to the next level. Even the seemingly silly questions, like “What is your favorite food?”, help me understand each individual on a more personal level making it easier to plan company events, birthday gifts and incentive programs.
Moving into 2013
I still have to really think through how I will ultimately leverage all of this company feedback to build a stronger team and improve on processes, etc. But, in the meantime I already feel like I have a stronger connection to my team and that as we move into 2013 we will grow together even more. A strong team produces better work. If you, “the boss”, can’t listen to, communicate with and implement ideas from your team, then you are not a leader, you are just another boss. Here at Eminent SEO we know that everything flows better and we provide a higher quality service when we ALL work together as a team (even the “bosses”).
I wasn’t always CEO. Once I was part of a staff and I felt the pain points of having a boss that didn’t listen to the team. It was bad for moral, it created huge disconnects in the company and, frankly, everyone there hated their job. I didn’t want to recreate that. Ever.
We Love Our Job!
This survey is an example of just one of the many ways I try to show the team how much we care about them as individuals and how important their feedback is.
You know what my favorite part of reading the survey was?
Reading answers like this:
Question: What you love about your job, and why:
“I love that I get to work for you and Chris! I’m not just saying that to kiss-ass, but I really love you guys and feel very fortunate that I have this opportunity.”
“I love that my “job” isn’t really a job. I’ve found something I’m sooo passionate about and it’s a part of me. I get to do what other wish they could and I get to network with people and see interaction and reactions. The rapport I’ve built has helped me leverage my positions and roles I’ve taken and in turn made this an awesome career.”
“I love that I get to learn more about things that interest me, such as managing Social Media Sites, that we are all about learning more and that the people I work with are passionate about teaching me what they know. I love knowing that my work is helping our clients and their businesses succeed.”
“I thrive on knowledge and learning. I am passionate about learning – and that is all I do here. Every day I learn something new, sometimes something big – sometimes something small, there is always something changing and evolving. It keeps my brain happy. I have always been a technology geek – so this career combines the best of both worlds – technology and learning. I couldn’t ask for more out of a career.”
“The diversity and being able to actually implement the ideas I have for a site and seeing it actually work for the client!!”
“In-short, everything! I love that there is flexibility; in-that all suggestions, proposals, comments, ideas, and other opinions are fully accepted and discussed with the entire team. There is a feeling that we can do anything, and we will do anything. I don’t feel at all limited at Eminent SEO, I feel that what I can do for the company is limitless.”
Wow. I’m kinda teary eyed just rereading these responses! I am so full of joy and an overwhelming sense of abundance in my life!
I just want to end by adding my own answer.
Why I Love My Job
I love the limitless world of website creation and marketing. I love the flexibility in owning my own business. I love helping clients reach their goals. I love working with a team of unique individuals who are committed to helping the company grow. I love the ongoing opportunity to learn new things. I love the creative energy in our open working environment. I love delivering quality work that we are proud to put our name on. I love connecting with new people. I love that this work challenges me. I love that that a small group of people can start with nothing and turn it into something big. I love the relationships I have developed and the experiences I have had. I love that we are helping people…
There are so many things I love about Eminent SEO, the team and the work we do. So I will end with this: Thank you team! Thanks for believing in us. Thanks for remaining open minded and flexible. Thanks for showing up and putting in the work. And, thanks for being you.
And to anyone else who took the time to read this, I hope you love your job! And if you think you can improve on teamwork, you have a great idea, or you just want to ask for help… well then call a meeting! It’s never too late to make a change. Oh and, Happy Holidays!
This post is absolutely beautiful! Working for eminent seo is such a great experience and truly fun! When you LOVE something you do for a living its no longer a JOB but a CAREER that you are passionate about! And I love my career!
Awww, thanks doll! You know we love you and we have been through so much together, I can’t imagine not having you as part of the team! Keep up the good work!
Seriously we have! Which makes are passion to have Eminent SEO to succeed so much bigger! Always a positive especially when you consider your boss a close friend!!!
Yay Team! Can’t wait to see what 2013 brings!
It should have been a nice experience. Will my boss want to do something similar? =P I think lots of things can be learned from a company’s team with such a survey, including how to improve everything in a company.
Congrats for the initiative.
Cheers to 2012! Great entry Jenny- and I’m glad you gave us a sneak peek at those answers. It’s nice to know everyone is energetic about the growth of not only the company but of themselves. That’s what solidifies a TEAM 🙂