e3 Staff Survey Report

Date: December 31, 2008

e3 Staff Survey and a Happy New Year to You!

As promised, we are spreading a little more holiday cheer as we start the New Year off right with the results of our recent staff survey. First, let me express my appreciation to the 141 of you who completed the survey. This is an outstanding response and we are thankful that you invested yourself in this process which will help all of us work together for a better e3 Partners!

Claudia Adame and I thoroughly reviewed the results with Dr. John Brunstetter to understand them from every conceivable perspective – by office, by missionary or administrative staff status, full-time, part-time, associate – slicing it every way possible. We will next work through the reports with the Cabinet, and then with the various department leaders and new field ministry team leaders. After the upcoming International Conference, having fully briefed all those in the leadership structure, we will post the results on-line so staff can see the complete statistical details of the survey. Throughout 2009 you will be involved with your respective work group to analyze and work on the areas to be improved.

In the meantime, the following report will give you about 90% of the most meaningful results…

The results were extraordinarily encouraging, as well as helpful. As a reminder, the categories that you reported on included: Purpose & Direction, Morale, Fairness & Equity, Immediate Supervisor, Communication, Quality of Work Life and You & Your Peers. There were about sixty questions asked across these categories, along with a very enlightening open-ended comments section.

The answers and comments were content rich. As mentioned, we will systematically address each of the significant issues throughout the year, but for now, here is the bottom line and the major highlights.

e3 Partners scored higher than the national norm – often, significantly so – on every question and in every major category. The national average has been developed over twenty years, with over twenty thousand employees of small and large organizations in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. The scale was 1 to 6. “5s” are outstanding, “4s” are good but need work, and “3s” are definite growth areas needing immediate action.

Happily there were only a couple of questions out of sixty that fall in this last, most urgent category. Not surprisingly, these areas have to do with internal communication – which according to the national norm is apparently an area that chronically plagues most organizations! So, here for your prayers and input, and here for your celebration are the lows and highs of the survey:

Here are the lowest five scores:

* 3.78 I am kept informed of what is going on outside my immediate work group
* 3.87 Employee input is asked for and responded to
* 4.01 Change is communicated before it happens
* 4.07 Communication is good between immediate work groups
* 4.43 Systems and procedures in my immediate work group are adequate

And, what are the 3 things least important to you?

* Promotion and professional development
* Job security
* Money

Now give yourself a “high five” for these top five scores:

*5.50 I know what the overall ministry stands for
*5.45 I know what my job is
*5.36 The leadership of the overall ministry has integrity
*5.32 I like working here
*5.30 Act with mutual trust and respect

And, what are the 3 things most important to you?

* Loyalty and support of the overall ministry
* Feeling informed
* Strong and positive relationship with my supervisor

The results were outstanding and the information, while not surprising, is excellent confirmation of many current initiatives, as well as being a “wake up call” for other concerns. Yes, it is all very positive. However, we still have a lot of work to do. We are not satisfied with simply being “above average”.

We are dedicating ourselves this year to achieving “5s” on every question. It comes as no surprise that the overall category needing most attention (lowest score) is “Communication” at 4.20 (national norm 3.78). Happily, many of the initiatives to be discussed at the Conference will have a positive impact on the weaker issues identified. Indeed, this very survey with its resulting dialogue and improvements are a part of improving that internal communication climate.

Again, thank you for taking the time to participate in the survey. And thank you in advance for doing your part to improve every aspect of our ministry, so together we may glorify God to the max!

Happy New Year!

Curtis Hail
President