Learning from Compass
Two years ago, we launched the Lucent Compass to respond to a need we were consistently hearing from clients. Whatever their size or sector, they were struggling to get their bearings. So we designed this tool to give an objective view of organisational strengths and weaknesses and to engage staff, volunteers and trustees from the very start of a strategy process.
Since then, we have refined how Lucent Compass works. We have improved the survey techniques and questions and included a suite of questions to test how closely your values are being reflected in the work of the organisation. We have also honed the analysis into a concise and easy to understand [and accessible] format. In addition, we continue to offer bespoke support to senior leaders to makes sense of the findings.
Here’s what we have learned through that process.
1. The Lucent Compass helps you identify what’s strong– so you can build on it
One of the first things we learned about the power of Lucent Compass is that it can contain some pleasant surprises. Issues that senior leaders had assumed were problematic or contentious turned out not to be so. This both helped them move into the strategy process with confidence and to focus their energies on areas that most needed attention.
2. The Lucent Compass helps you spot issues affecting different teams or parts of your organisation
Analysing results by team allows us to spot whether particular teams feel a strong or weaker connection to your purpose, and whether there are certain parts of your organisation that feel more included and comfortable. By pinpointing concerns and areas of cohesion, senior leaders can tailor their engagement and communication.
3. The Lucent Compass helps you to compare yourself against others and track progress over time
We now have a bank of results and, by analysing how you score relative to the average of all others who have completed the survey, you can see how well how you are performing against others. We also offer a recap survey after a year, to see how things are changing. We offer a detailed feedback session to senior leaders and this broader perspective has proven particularly helpful. You also have the option to add feedback sessions to your staff team, volunteers or board.
4. We use tools that are (mobile) friendly and work for organisations of different sizes
With an eye on engaging all your team, including those working on the frontline and without easy access to computers, our survey is easily accessible from a mobile device. It can be tailored to the needs of bigger or smaller organisations. For larger organisation, we can analyse thousands of responses and dovetail our work on strategy with your standing staff surveys. And for all, the flexibility of having a number of questions bespoke to you means we can hone in on issues unique to you.
If you’d like to find out more about how Compass can help you to find your bearings on company strategy, start a conversation with us here.