5 Tips for Tightening Up That Feedback Loop

If you”re in any part of sales or production management of any sized business these days, then you”re going to obsess over the idea of the feedback loop. Putting out questions, getting answers, and then acting on observed results. Wash, rinse, repeat.

But, you may not be aware of all of the available resources when it comes to really tightening that feedback loop up so that everything happens as efficiently as possible. So, to help you out, consider the following five tips, including using product management software, using email surveys, having online chats ready, shipping to early adopters, and using social media to your advantage.

Use Product Management Software

There are companies that specialize in product management software, and what they do better than you, is have integrated feedback loops they can install into your basic business apps and process. By hiring a feedback loop specialist, you”re essentially loading up someone else with the difficult and tedious work, so that you can focus on the aspects of the business that deal with your own talents. This is a case where everyone wins.

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Learn To Use Email Surveys

Another important way to get feedback working for you is by understanding how email surveys work. There have been phases where businesses go in and out of using these, because of various social and technical pressures, but as long as you learn to use them within certain boundaries to avoid “spammy” behavior, you should be in the clear. And if you have an email list of people who really care, they”ll appreciate the opportunity.

Have Online Chats Available

If you”re business has a website – which it should – one way to immediately handle feedback is if you have one of your employees available to chat with people as necessary. That way anyone can ask questions and get answers right away. Just be careful that this is something that you don”t outsource, as it can be very frustrating for customers to deal with someone who doesn”t have answers.

Don”t Be Afraid To Ship To Early Adopters

Early adopters are going to be the lifeblood of your operations most times, so they are going to be the ones you want to get the most early feedback from. And to do that, be prepared to ship, even if there are slight mistakes in your designs. They”ll accept that risk and appreciate you for it.

Use Social Media To Your Advantage

Finally, social media itself is a great feedback loop. Just looking at comments, likes, shares, and how people spread information around is going to tell you a lot about how your product is going to do both in the real world and in the virtual one.