feedback

Adam Smith | March 14, 2016 | Leave a Comment

You Need Feedback to Succeed In Business

People who succeed in business aren’t afraid to hear feedback from their customers. They actually thrive off of it. So, what does this tell us about people who don’t want to listen to feedback? It says that they probably won’t be in business very long.

Feedback is an intricate part of performing well in business, because it gives a platform for people to express their needs, and it also gives you the chance to meet those needs. Only 4% of dissatisfied customers give businesses a chance to make it right, so making it easier for customers to give feedback is a necessary measure to grow.

Only 4% of dissatisfied customers give businesses a chance to make it right. Share on X

The easier you make it for people to give feedback, the more often you’ll gain the opportunity to make things right. Forget only hearing from 4% of people. Try hearing from at least 50% of people who experience your service or product when you build this bridge of feedback.

So, how can you make giving feedback easier?

Erik Tyler | October 1, 2015 | 4 Comments

Communication Style: A Feedback Experiment

Today’s COMMUNICATION post – by Erik Tyler

I’d like to start with a question. But before I pose that question, I want to encourage you to actually answer it. From the very beginning here on asmithblog.com, I’ve been championing the importance of experimentation in the learning process. In short, those who are willing to engage and take risks will remember and grow. Those who feel that experimental learning is beneath them, or that it is a waste of time – well, they won’t remember or grow, at least not nearly to the degree as those who are willing to be participants in the process.

And now for that question:

How would you describe
your communication style
in three words or less?

How would you describe your communication style in three words or less? Share on X

Grab a piece of paper, a sticky note or your Notes app right now and jot down 1 – 3 separate words that you feel best describe your own communication style. As you assess yourself, determine to be neither unduly flattering nor modest. Being honest about both your strengths and weaknesses is essential to maximizing your potential.

Erik Tyler | August 27, 2015 | 7 Comments

The Uncritical Critique: How to Not Be Mean – Erik Tyler

As a leader or influencer of any kind, it is inevitable that you will be called upon to provide feedback on other people’s performance, work, attitude, etc. This may be part of the formal responsibilities required of your position, such as handling annual reviews or solving HR issues. But whether this is true for you or not, if you are respected and good at what you do, you will eventually be asked for your opinions on the creative or business-related work others have done. And that feedback or opinion will not always be positive.

I myself have been asked countless times to critique or provide feedback to songwriters and musicians, new authors or bloggers, web and graphic designers, novice entrepreneurs and a host of others. And while I’m certainly honored that such people hold my own work in high regard within each of these areas, it can get dicey when what I’m asked to critique is … well, just plain bad.

What do you do in these potentially awkward situations?