Let’s Talk About Surveys – Authored by Tom Blakeman – June 5, 2019
Lately, there has been some discussion about surveys. Who’s doing them? How many respondents? Asking the right questions? And the lists goes on.
Back in early 2013 the BOD / POA did a “General Manager” survey regarding the “leadership attributes, experience and priorities” for a new HSV General Manager. A lovely, colorful, expertly printed “Executive Summary” was produced (copy attached).
Subsequently, Mr. Twiggs was hired and you know the rest of the story. But looking back now the survey results are quite interesting.
To start with only 716 responses were received from property owners along with only 33 responses from employees. I’m no statistician but the polling sample size seems pretty small given the number of property owners and employees. Strangely too, there were over 400 “write-in” responses. Here is a synopsis of the results.
“Leadership Attributes” (7 categories total):
- Property Owners: #1 Leadership, #7 Community Promotion
- Employees: #1 Interpersonal/people skills, #6 Revenue Producer, #7 Recruiting Talent
“Experience” (7 categories total):
- Property Owners: #1 Financial Management, #6 Marketing, #7 Information Technology
- Employees: #1 Financial Management, #6 Marketing, #7 Information Technology
“Most Important Priorities” (8 categories total):
- Property Owners: #1 Maintain existing facilities at the highest level, #8 Attract a well-known hotel or resort to the Village
- Employees: #1 Maintain existing facilities at the highest level, #8 Attract a well-known hotel or resort to the Village
Write-in comments
Of the write-in comments the following phrases stood out: “executive leadership” “proven financial expertise” “strong communicator” “long-range planning” “approachable effective listener” “honesty and integrity” “a visionary” “works well with employees and residents” – There were many others too but you get the drift.
So draw your own conclusions. But, it strikes me that no one then cared much about Marketing or Information Technology (probably includes broadband and cell service?). They cared even less about a Hotel (Lodge) or Resort. They did want Financial Management and we got a Two-Tier. Then there was Leadership. . . .
HSVPOA Executive Summary General Manager Survey Results
Talk-About-Surveys-1.pdf-Formatted by Cheryl Dowden
Bob Mollerberg
06/05/2019 — 7:51 pm
Tom,
In my opinion, a survey is of very limited value in the hiring process. Managing via polls or surveys is more of a cya tool than an effective selection tool. Management must decide what essential assets and characteristics are required for the success of the candidate. This is best done in concert with selecting the candidate that most nearly fits the position in order to ensure the success of the corporation. A clear, definitive JOB DESCRIPTION is most often employed. All of our top managers and directors have a job description don’t they?
It also comes down to simplicity, and proven methods. Many U.S. corporations do not employ a comprehensive plan but rather opt for a simple, clear, & concise MISSION STATEMENT. The mission statement is then supported by a set of OBJECTIVES, GOALS, & PLANS. I think we have a mission statement but I am unsure. Objectives, Goals & Plans???
Personal interviews and BACKGROUND CHECKS by trained, HR professionals is also crucial in the candidate screening, selection & hiring process.
BTW, Who performs the background checks on our GM/CEO, Directors, Top Level managers, and our BOD candidates? We do background checks don’t we? Should we?
Kirk Denger
06/05/2019 — 10:12 pm
Bob, seriously, souldn’t they all be mandatorily drug tested also? Visionaries have Half-Million dollar habits and we seem to be supporting about six of them each year. Where is our extra two tier 3 million going each year? And we are still in debt. Are these decisions being made by sober Administrators?
HSVP J
06/06/2019 — 7:25 am
Excerpt from the article:
“Most Important Priorities” (8 categories total):
Property Owners: #1 Maintain existing facilities at the highest level, #8 Attract a well-known hotel or resort to the Village
Employees: #1 Maintain existing facilities at the highest level, #8 Attract a well-known hotel or resort to the Village.
Today’s top HSVPOA Corporate leadership and some of the Board has reversed the priority. It is backward. Existing facilities are decaying.
I don’t recall a recent survey on the lodge and existing facilities.. I would imagine that the present property owners would place maintaining existing facilities at the highest level and a lodge last.
Maintaining existing infrastructure is a requirement of the By-laws, building a lodge is not.
Gene Garner
06/06/2019 — 8:46 am
First of all. I’m no expert on surveys, but I agree with Mr Mollerberg that surveys have a limited value. When we ask what owners want in a general manager, in the hiring process, we get a wish list of the perfect candidate–who doesn’t exist. If you look at most successful organizations they hire managers that have the required experience and a proven track record.
There are basic requirements, no criminal records, addictive habits or multiple job changes and, of course a comprehensive background history. If you look at our list of GMs (after Dave Johnson) you’ll see the next two candidates should have never been hired. I would prefer hiring someone who’s doing the same job now at another gated community and is looking to move up.
Surveys to test the temperature of the property owners, will get us a snapshot in time from the questions we ask but may change over time. As an example; what did the owners think of CCI in June 2018 and what do they think of CCI now? The same question can be asked of the CMP. I think what I’m saying is surveys are good for short term planning and can be used to change opinions but are questionable for long term strategy.
I believe surveys can be useful but a lot depends on the type of questions we ask, how they’re presented and how the answers are interpreted.—Gene
Linda Anderson
06/06/2019 — 4:01 pm
Bob brought up the Mission statement which is all about lifestyle agenda. To transform this community into the New Urbanism City and remove the ” Retirement ” concept. The Villages in FLA. have had great success in marketing and bringing in the newly retired. HSV has so much more to offer and yet L.N.’s agenda is clear. Even the old guard of the Board are in step with this agenda. As Tom noted, it is financial management that is needed. At the last POA Meeting, the Finance Committee was discussed and as expected L.N.’s wants a Finance Committee controlled by management. Kirk’s question: Where is our extra 2 Tier 3 Mil. going each year? There needs to be an understanding of how is our $37 Mil being spent? It is these financial secrets that cause so much division and continuous questions. What is needed is a one question No-Confidence Survey.
Anonymous
06/06/2019 — 6:29 pm
Linda,
I was merely suggesting a simple statement(s) instead of a Complex Master Promotion (CMP).
Try this: “Our MISSION is to become & maintain our position as the Premier Retirement & Active Lifestyle Community in the United States. We will be the best value leader, most safe and secure, friendliest community active retirees can find. Our service to our property owners will be SECOND TO NONE.
I know it’s rough, but it’s off the top and could be reduced & refined by some of the smarter folks here. Nothing in here about New Urbanism.
Thank You,
Bob Mollerberg
Linda Anderson
06/07/2019 — 11:24 am
Mr. Mollerberg,
No offense meant toward you personally. I did appreciate your mission statement. Thank You.
Opinions matter regardless of how they are presented.
The CMP’s history and involvement of the New Urbanism ” City ” concept is well known. I stand to be corrected if anyone can determine otherwise. It’s financial implications as presented by Mr. Phil Lemler cannot be ignored.
Respectfully,
Linda Anderson
HSVP C
06/09/2019 — 9:26 am
We deleted the SPAM. It did not come from Hot Springs Village People dot com. A lot of games are being played. Please don’t click on any links posted in the comment sections of this website. Thank you. – Cheryl