Grace Smith
November 10, 2023

” … no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees … “

Employee engagement always plays a major role in the success of any organization.

An employee engagement survey by Gallup revealed that engaged employees showed:

  • 14% increased productivity
  • 10% improved customer ratings
  • Sales increase of 18%
  • Increased profitability by 23%
  • 13% more organizational participation.

Another study by Gallup showed that engaged employees outperform disengaged counterparts by a substantial 147%.

In essence, employee engagement isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have for achieving organizational excellence.

So why not measure these metrics closely in your organization? Surveys help you assess engagement levels and analyze its influencing factors on a deeper level.

Why are employee engagement surveys important?

Measures engagement levels

Employee engagement surveys are a primary tool for measuring key factors like communication, motivation, satisfaction, values, and well-being.

They offer insights into employee sentiment and satisfaction, and help assess the factors affecting employee burnout to reduce turnover rates.

Empowers employees

Conducting surveys assures your employees by demonstrating that you not only listen to them but also value their opinions.

This trust and consideration positively impact engagement. Furthermore, anonymous feedback and employee involvement create a culture of collaboration

Anonymous surveys foster candid feedback from employees, providing a safe space for genuine input. With ThriveSparrow, you can gather anonymous, departmental-wise data, and create targeted action plans for each team.

ThriveSparrow's anonymous response module
ThriveSparrow's anonymous response module

Interprets results 

Surveys provide a way to measure and assess growth opportunities, inform critical decisions, and promote a positive culture. With an employee experience platform, interpreting survey results becomes easier with result-oriented dashboards and custom reports.

To make the most out of surveys, consider following these practices to measure employee engagement in an accurate manner.

  1. Clearly define survey goals.
  2. Explain the survey's purpose to employees.
  3. Ensure confidentiality for honest feedback.
  4. Make the survey easily accessible.
  5. Use a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions.
  6. Avoid leading or overly definitive questions.
  7. Involve management to demonstrate commitment.
  8. Offer incentives for participation.
  9. Quickly analyze results and take action.
  10. Thank employees for their participation.
  11. Seek suggestions for improving the survey process.

Ways to interpret and analyze your employee engagement survey results

Think of your raw survey data as a hidden treasure chest waiting to reveal its secrets.

While gathering this information is a crucial step, the real magic occurs when you roll up your sleeves and dive into its depths. 

Interpretation and analysis help numbers come to life and can tell a compelling story of employee engagement in your organization. 

1. Stripping layers: Classification and segmentation

Your survey results contain a lot of knowledge, but as an experienced detective, you also need to slice and dice them.

Start by sorting the survey questions into key areas such as leadership, work environment, career  and communication. This segmentation acts as a compass to guide you to specific areas of strength and focus. 

2.  Pattern recognition: More than meets the eye

Patterns aren't just for fashion; they also appear in the data.

When you analyze trends over time, patterns can reveal changes in engagement levels. Perhaps engagement declines during certain quarters or months, or a certain department consistently reports lower performance. These patterns act as breadcrumbs that provide valuable cues for action. 

3. Measurement: Comparing context

Comparison is a powerful tool. To understand the meaning of the survey results, compare them with industry standards. This context shows how your organization stacks up against its peers. If your level of commitment is lacking, it's a signal to dig deeper and uncover the underlying factors. 

4. Beyond the numbers: The heart of the employee experience 

Quantitative data is only part of the puzzle. Open-ended comments on survey responses are a treasure trove of quality knowledge.

These comments provide insight into the thoughts, experiences and concerns of employees. Observe carefully for recurring themes and feelings; they provide a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the reality of your employees. 

5. Using ThriveSparrow: Your partner in assessing engagement

In today's data environment, technology is your compass to navigate the vast oceans of information.

Get started with ThriveSparrow, a robust employee engagement survey tool packed with advanced analytics capabilities.

Visualize data, identify trends and discover useful insights. Managers can leverage this data to create concrete action plans and strategies to drive engagement, and address their teams' unique needs.

ThriveSparrow's dynamic reports module
ThriveSparrow's dynamic reports module

Unlock a treasure trove of possibilities and boost employee engagement and recognition in your organization!

6. From vision to action: Bridging the gap

Interpreting and analyzing research results is the first step in the journey.

Real impact comes from turning insights into transformational strategies. Identify areas that need improvement, set clear goals and plan targeted actions.

Whether it's improving communication channels, providing growth opportunities or driving engagement, your strategies should directly address the issues raised in the survey.  

7. Beyond the surface: The art of true understanding

Digging deeper is the essence of employee engagement analysis. While patterns provide insights, don't rely solely  on them. Open comments provide an authentic and unfiltered perspective.

Balancing quantitative and qualitative information creates a complete picture of employee engagement. Here are a couple of resources to help make the research process easier.

19 team engagement questions every leader should be asking.

101 pulse survey questions for your ready reference.

8. The power of benchmarking and continuous review

Survey benchmarks are your guide on your journey. By comparing data to benchmarks and tracking annual trends, you can get a clearer idea of ​​the pulse of your organization. But remember that true understanding goes beyond surface-level data; it delves into individual experiences and nuanced understandings. Enhance your survey results by crafting a high-impact employee engagement survey.

Closing Thoughts

Understanding and leveraging employee engagement is pivotal for organizational success. Surveys offer a starting point, but it's the interpretation and action derived from the data that truly propel an organization forward.

Remember, these insights aren't just numbers; they represent the heartbeat of your workforce. By harnessing these findings and implementing strategic initiatives, you pave the way for sustained growth and enhanced profitability.

FAQs

1. How do you understand pulse survey results?

Pulse survey results can be understood through careful analysis. Start by categorizing responses into key areas like leadership, work environment, career, and communication. Look for patterns and trends over time, and compare your organization's results to industry standards. Dive into the open-ended comments to gain a deeper understanding of employees' thoughts and concerns.

2. What employee engagement surveys really tell us?

Employee engagement surveys offer a holistic view of employee sentiment and factors affecting burnout, which can help reduce turnover rates.

3. What are the benefits of employee engagement surveys?

Employee engagement surveys empowers organizations to

  1. Assess engagement levels
  2. Identify areas for improvement
  3. Make data-driven decisions
  4. Foster a culture of collaboration and involvement
  5. Demonstrate value for employees' opinions
  6. Improve engagement and overall performance