Pulse January / February 2020 | Page 40

DIVE INTO DATA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 other items being ranked. When building a rating scale, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), ISPA’s research partner, suggests using a rating scale with an odd number, such as 1-5. This gives you a true, neutral midpoint: 3. Ducker also advises against using a bigger scale than 1-5, such as 1-7 or 1-9; at that point, the divisions between ratings are too granular. Is there a meaningful difference between an 8 and a 9? Not likely. Building a good customer survey of any kind means being comfortable with seeking and using qualitative data. Though quantitative data is often easier to use, qualitative data can offer the transformative ideas and insights you need to grow your spa. By focusing on the end goal, asking specific questions and using the right tools, you can rest easy knowing that you’re gathering high- quality qualitative data. By finding creative ways to view qualitative data in a more mathematical way, you’ll avoid the pitfalls of zeroing in on isolated comments or opinions. And by arming yourself with the best data possible, you’ll have the knowledge and evidence you need to lead your spa into 2020 and beyond. n Ideas to Inspire THE SNAPSHOT SURVEY, ISPA’s monthly survey that offers a quick glimpse at how—and what—the spa industry is doing, is a terrific source of data. While most ISPA members know it for its numbers-driven insight into the world of spa, some of the most dedicated Snapshot Survey respondents and readers value it most for the open- ended qualitative responses. The open-ended responses are where Snapshot Surveys come to life: where spas can share their best practices around marketing, technology, policies, hiring, retail and more. Here are a few of the most insightful responses featured anony- mously in 2019’s Snapshot Surveys—plus some advice from dedicated Snapshot Survey users on how they incorporate the data into their decision making. An idea for a Mother’s Day marketing push: “We are going to run a Facebook promotion where the client shares our post, sends us a photo of them and their mom, and [shares] what they like to do together. One winner will receive a package for hair, facial and makeup application. Two other winners receive a manicure or pedicure.” FROM APRIL 2019 38 PULSE ■ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020