Focus groups are a very effective way to evaluate services or test new ideas within a given group. To put it simply, focus groups are interviews, but of 6-10 people at the same time in the same group instead of one-on-one. One can learn a great deal of information during a proper focus group session. An employee focus group focuses on gathering information from employees already existing within the company, normally for motivational or improvement purposes.
- Identify the major objective of the meeting. You must know what information you are seeking before you can retrieve that answer from others.
- Thoughtfully develop five to six questions (see below).
- Plan your session (see below).
- Call or e-mail potential members to invite them to the meeting. Send them a follow-up invitation with a proposed agenda, session time, and list of questions that the group will potentially discuss. Plan to provide a copy of the report from the session to each member and advise them that you will do this.
About three days before the session, call or e-mail each member to remind them to attend, and remind them of the purpose of the meeting.
