1 Survey Says…? Jessica Friedman Director of Marketing and Communications National Contract Management Association Angela Deren President-Elect Pentagon Chapter

2 What is a survey? A form of market research Help identify opinions or perceptions in your audience Help you learn more about a topic Great way to solicit specific key information from a target audience Way to measure customer satisfaction Tool to gauge interest in a new product or service Collect demographic information for planning purposes

3 What makes a survey successful? Define the purpose and scope Quick - can be completed in less than 5 minutes Logical sequence – broad questions to more specific Most important questions in the beginning Keep it simple – yes/no or multiple choice Test survey on a focus group before general issue Avoid weekends Send a reminder Let survey takers know how you will use the results

4 Types of Surveys and Market Research Paper Survey at Event 1 Question per Month in Chapter Newsletter Suggestion Box Open Forum Focus Groups

5 Paper Survey at Event Develop rating questions with 5-point scale answers –Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, Poor –Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neutral, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied Add open-ended questions to allow explanation Add comment questions Add demographics questions at the end of the survey to assist in analyzing results by respondent segments –Geography, Type of Business, Position Title, Function/Role- responsibilities, Sex, Age Range, Highest Education Level Use results to improve or change next event

6 1 Question per Month in Chapter Newsletter Example Questions: –Which meeting format do you prefer? a. breakfastb. lunch c. dinner d. No food –Of the following topics, which would you prefer to learn about? a. Price Analysisb. Using GSA e-Buy c. Service Contract Act –Do you have a location recommendation for a chapter meeting? –Will you be attending the Fall Leadership Summit? Yes/No –Would you be interested in participating in a CFCM Study Group? Yes/No

7 Suggestion Box Mention at the beginning of the meeting and again at the closing Give audience ideas of what suggestions you’re looking for (like they’re answering a question) Provide slips of paper and pens at tables Set box in location near the exit Mention ideas you use in the newsletter Offer thank you gift or recognition certificate for a great idea

8 Advertise in newsletter and at previous meeting Provide sample discussion topics ahead of time, but welcome any topics Invite non-chapter members Make the audience feel comfortable Set up room in a horseshoe configuration or a circle of chairs Write an article in the subsequent newsletter to summarize the discussion Open Forum

9 Open discussion amongst 10 – 15 people Centered around a topic/objective Help identify opinions or perceptions among audience Start planning early (set up a timeline) Include a moderator, note-taker, and Subject Matter Expert who do not participate in the conversation Summarize or create a report of findings to disseminate Samples used in NCMA: –New Professionals, Small Business, Communities, CMBOK Focus Groups

10 Best Practices

11 Google Docs survey.aspxhttp:// survey.aspx Survey Tools

12 Questions?  Jessica Angie 