The value of survey research cuts across all industries and disciplines. It’s a tool for collecting information that can improve customer satisfaction, offer insight into a company product, pinpoint the mood of the voter and gauge public opinion on social issues. But definitive research for mainstream purposes isn’t the only use for surveys. Occasionally, surveys can be used for the downright bizarre and can come up with some, shall we say, unique results.

High tech firm Ktech selects National Business Research Institute to conduct survey at their facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Addison, TX (PRWEB) March 2, 2008 -- High technology firm Ktech has selected NBRI to conduct an employee satisfaction survey at their facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  With clients such as Sandia National Laboratories, and core business capabilities related to nuclear physics, Ktech seeks to improve their hard science based services by looking at human factors. 

Super Bowl Sunday is known as one of the busiest days for pizza parlors nationwide. Pizza orders increase by 50 to 100% during the Super Bowl compared to a regular Sunday. Some of the large pizza parlors around the country even hold pep rallies to get their delivery people excited. The delivery people will be run ragged all over town, but hope to end the night with a lot of tip money in hand. In fact, while a typical tip for a pizza delivery is roughly $2, it has been reported that on Super Bowl Sunday, tips can rise to $20 per pizza delivery!

In our society, this all seems fair. Customers tip based on the service they receive taking into account timeliness, quality, and even the appearance of the person delivering the service. And if the quality of service is bad and the customer doesn’t tip at all, this is a good indication that they will not be returning customers. Tips allow service people to immediately gauge how their performance is viewed by their customers. A smart delivery person that received a bad tip will revise their performance until they receive better tips.

Business in this tough economy is littered with business closings, pay cuts, low morale and lay-offs. Budgets have been slashed and benefits or perks taken away. Those left on the job are tasked to do more with less; faces are marked with tension and fear. What will happen next and what can you do about it? Well, as unimaginable as it may seem, now might be a good time for everyone to lighten up at work.

Survey research shows that when people (i.e., employees) are having fun, they are more creative and more productive, with enhanced problem solving skills. The American Association for Therapeutic Humor describes therapeutic humor as any lighthearted, joyful, humorous interaction which is constructively used to maintain or improve well being. Think employee satisfaction; think customer satisfaction.

I grew up in a cold climate in the northern United States. Winter consisted of months of grey days, freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. I learned to drive in snowy and icy conditions. My parents were cognizant of the importance of teaching me what to do if my vehicle began to slide on the ice and how to regain control. They taught me to be cautious whenever the weather conditions were untenable. Thus, I was well prepared to drive in threatening conditions and always proceeded carefully in order to avoid an accident.

Unfortunately, we are not always aware when threatening conditions exist. One example of a hidden threat on the roads during the winter season is black ice; a transparent layer of ice that freezes with few, if any, air bubbles trapped inside making it virtually invisible. Its’ imperceptibility has caused many accidents because unsuspecting drivers proceeded to drive on it with a "business as usual" approach, often with disastrous results.