Why Small Experiments Are So Powerful For Your Career & Customers. Start Today.
updated : 4 Dec 2023
Core Idea is from the book: Great At Work by Morten Hansen
The Learning Loop is an approach to learning while you perform your daily work: you try out a new approach in a small way, then measure the outcome, then get quick feedback, then tweak your approach based on that feedback.
Improvement does not need to come in large bursts. Small improvements, daily, weekly, monthly can create massive results, if compounded.
Small choices + consistency + time = significant results
The cost of small experiments failing is small, but the results can be big. When you learn that something does not work, that is as important as learning what does work.
Create a simple format to set up your experiments. This ensures that you do not need to rethink the important attributes every time you want to run an experiment.
A format that we like includes the following:
Hypothesis - either prove something or negate something
Time Limit or Action Limit - either the experiment runs for a certain period of time or the experiment ends when a pre-decided number of Actions are performed
1 or Max 2 Measures to be tracked. Do not try and track too many measures from one experiment. These could be lead or lag measures.
Limited Dependence - Whom do you need for the experiment and why? Keep this list as small as possible.
👆 you can make a copy of the format and use it to track your experiments.
Actionable Insights
Let's run the format used above to detail 2 experiments. 1 experiment for self & another for others.
1st Experiment - Making Meetings More Effective For You
Hypothesis - If I spend 15 mins immediately after a meeting to either complete tasks or make detailed notes, does it make my meetings more effective?
Time Limit or Action Limit - In this case, the experiment can be run for 5 meetings and the time limit is already in the hypothesis - 15 mins.
1 or Max 2 Measures to be tracked. Single measure - Do I feel better having actioned things immediately. Do I feel less stress? or Do I feel relaxed walking into the next meeting.
Limited Dependence - No one. I can do this experiment myself.
Track the result and if you do feel better, make this a habit!
2nd Experiment - Making Meetings More Effective For Everyone
Hypothesis - If I let everyone spend 10 mins before a meeting starts to read previous meeting notes, tasks etc, does it make my meetings more effective?
Time Limit or Action Limit - In this case, the experiment can be run for 5 meetings and the time limit is already in the hypothesis - 10 mins.
1 or Max 2 Measures to be tracked. Single measure - Do my team members feel better having a 10-minute breather?
Limited Dependence - My team members. I need their feedback on this.
Track the result and if you do make your team feel better, make this a team habit!
You can do these small experiments for anything.
Learning & Development, Skill Improvement, Knowledge Sharing, Operations, Upselling, Suggestive Selling & more.
Want to make this WOW?
Ask your team what experiments they have been wanting to try. Help them set up and run the experiments. When I was a young hotelier, I would have loved it if my boss had asked me this. I always felt that the task of leading the daily briefing, or shift briefing could be better if it was rotated amongst us. Having one person do it in the same monotonous every day was so boring!
If you think this could be fun, make a list of 10 things you can experiment with. Maybe your email headers, or how to structure the emails, maybe it is how to sell more or make your customers happier. You can write to me at p.bedi@eclathospitality.com and I will help you make your experiment sharper.
👋 We put out these small, enjoyable, actionable insights regularly. These are for hospitality & service leaders.
To read all insights published so far, click here
Some Experiment Ideas
10 Experiments to Track Resume Application Success
1. Variable Format: Create multiple versions of your resume with different formats. Send each version to a targeted group of employers and record the response rate for each format. This experiment will help you identify which format attracts the most attention.
2. Customized Objective Statements: Tailor your objective statement to match the specific requirements of each job application. Monitor the success rate of applications with customized objective statements against those with generic ones. This experiment will help you gauge the impact of personalization.
3. Keyword Optimization: Experiment with different sets of keywords that are relevant to the job position. Use well-known Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to track your ranking in the system. By adjusting the frequency and placement of keywords, you can determine the optimal approach.
4. Cover Letter Testing: Craft multiple versions of your cover letter, each emphasizing different aspects of your qualifications. Measure the interview callback rate for each cover letter version to identify the most effective content and tone.
5. Networking Experiments: Apply for positions through networking channels and compare the response rate to that of traditional applications. Track how personal connections enhance your chances of getting an interview or job offer.
6. Online Presence Analytics: Regularly assess your online presence to identify any discrepancies or negative content that may impact your applications. Experiment with optimizing your LinkedIn profile, personal website, and professional networking platforms to enhance your visibility and appeal.
7. Application Timing: Keep a record of application submission dates and track whether there's a correlation between submission time and response rate. Experiment with applying for positions at different times of the day or week to determine if timing plays a role in hiring decisions.
8. Reference Experiment: Include different references on your resume and assess if some references generate more callbacks than others. Measure the quality and credibility of your references to improve your chances of securing interviews.
9. Education and Skills Highlighting: Experiment with different arrangements of your education and skills sections. Evaluate the response rate to determine if emphasizing certain skills or educational achievements increases your chances of being shortlisted.
10. Tracking Metrics: Create a tracking system to log each application's details, including the source of the application, job description, and response rate. Continuously analyze this data to identify trends, adjust your approach, and replicate successful strategies.
Remember, these experiments are meant to be iterative and adaptable. Adapt your strategies based on the feedback obtained from each experiment. By tracking the success of your resume applications systematically, you can improve your approach and increase your chances of landing your desired job.