This blog is for you…
If your Microsoft Teams feels like only some people talk and ideas don't reach the ones who can make changes.
OR
If you want to help everyone in your team talk more openly but aren't sure how to begin.
OR
If you think getting everyone's ideas together is good but haven't found the best way to do it yet.
In every team, there are many good ideas that are not heard, which could really help improve work, culture, and results.
I am like you, always looking for ways to bring out these ideas.
That's why using a suggestion box in Microsoft Teams is a great idea. It changes how we think about sharing thoughts and feedback in teams.
It's not just about having another way to talk. It's about making sure every person in your team can share their ideas, big or small, maybe even without saying who they are, about everything from what leaders do to changing rules.
Here's why this blog is different:
I will show you everything about using suggestion boxes in Microsoft Teams, from why they are important for open and creative team culture to how to make private or group places for sharing thoughts safely.
🌟 We'll look closely at how these suggestion boxes work, including easy steps to make a place where team members can share feedback without saying who they are.
🌟 Then, we'll talk about the best suggestion box tools for Microsoft Teams, like Wrenly.Ai and Polly.ai. We'll compare what they offer, how much they cost, and how they fit into your team's daily work.
🌟 By the end of this blog, you'll know which suggestion box tool is best for your team, whether it's Wrenly's detailed analysis or Polly's fun surveys.
If you skip this blog, you might miss a chance to improve your team. It's about listening to everyone and truly making a team where everyone's voice matters. Let's see how making sharing ideas a big part of your team can lead to success.
Microsoft Teams suggestion boxes are tools that can be used to collect feedback and ideas from team members within Microsoft Teams.
Users can submit ideas anonymously or openly without worrying about getting judged, which encourages participation. It's like dropping a note in a box, but digitally.
The apps often come with features to categorize and prioritize suggestions. It's like having a personal assistant to organize feedback.
These boxes make it easier for everyone to have a voice. It's like gathering around a digital campfire, sharing stories and ideas.
- Feedback is visible to all team members, promoting transparency and inclusivity. It feels like we're all part of a big brainstorming session.
- Some apps even allow voting on suggestions, turning feedback into a democratic process. It's like having a say in the team's direction.
Suggestion box symbolizes the evolution of workplace communication. They bridge gaps and bring us closer, even if we're miles apart.
It’s not just about collecting ideas; they're about building a culture of collaboration.
But do you really need a suggestion box? Below are the use cases of a suggestion box that makes it clear what to expect from a suggestion box.
Understanding if you need this tool can be a bit complex. It really depends on what you specifically need it for and what your company is like.
At Wrenly, we uphold the values of equality of opinion, honesty, and empowerment for all. In this light, anonymous feedback emerges as a potent tool to "Upgrade Your Feedback Culture" – our signature catchphrase, if you will.
Encouraging sincere feedback from your team underscores your commitment to valuing their contributions, regardless of differing perspectives. It fosters an environment where ideas are prized over conformity, instilling a sense of trust and appreciation.
Moreover, embracing anonymity lowers barriers for reserved or introverted team members.
Consider this: even the most brilliant ideas may remain unspoken if shyness prevails.
Anonymity grants a voice without inhibition, amplifying participation and promoting inclusivity.
Here are the use cases of the suggestion box:
- Enabling Honest Dialogue: Employees can share candid feedback or suggestions with leadership without fear of reprisal.
- Strategic Insights: Anonymous input aids leadership in making decisions aligned with team perspectives.
- Tailoring HR Approaches: Employees contribute opinions on HR policies and workplace culture.
- Conflict Resolution Aid: Anonymity fosters early resolution of workplace conflicts and concerns.
- Safe Reporting Space: An anonymous channel encourages reporting of sensitive issues or unethical behavior.
- Mental Well-being Discussions: Employees can discuss personal challenges discreetly, accessing support resources.
- Cultivating Creativity: An open, anonymous forum stimulates diverse and innovative ideas.
- Inclusive Idea Generation: All team members can participate without apprehension, ensuring varied perspectives.
- Boosting Morale: Publicly acknowledging team achievements anonymously enhances team spirit.
- Nurturing Supportive Environment: Encourages a culture where contributions are valued and recognized.
- Facilitating Open Dialogue: Anonymous queries during meetings enable more candid and direct conversations.
- Equal Participation Opportunity: Ensures every employee can voice concerns or questions without bias.
Now that we've covered why having a suggestion box is crucial for your team, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. In the next part, we'll break down how these suggestion boxes actually work and show you how to set one up yourself.
Step 1: Add Wrenly AI to your teams
Step 2: Click on the general channel and click the (+) sign in the chat to create a new suggestion box.
Step 3: Search Wrenly.ai and click on the icon. Click on the Suggestion box tab to start a new suggestion box.
Step 4: Write your anonymous message as shown in the image below. Add the channel where you want it to share.
Here’s the preview of the message
Step 5: Make changes if necessary. Your message is ready to be delivered with an anonymous name as you can see .
Here’s how it will look to the leadership. Team members can reply to the text or can share:
Still confused about how to create one? To understand better, here's a video of me creating a suggestion box.
Therefore, we know how to create a suggestion box. Let’s look at the top Microsoft teams suggestion box apps.
Wrenly simplifies the process of understanding and improving company culture, ultimately saving time and resources while boosting employee satisfaction and engagement.
“Easy way to get honest feedback” ~ Brooks E. (Small Business Owner)
Real customers have praised Wrenly for its ability to transform anonymous feedback into meaningful, impactful discussions that drive significant business changes.
Look at what Kelly P. (a small business owner) has to say about Wrenly:
Free Forever: $0 per month 🚀
Standard: $4 per user/month (billed annually) 🚀
Enterprise: Custom quote 🚀
Polly lets teams quickly ask questions and collect answers. It's made to work with platforms many teams already use for daily communication, like Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Free Plan:
Standard Plan:
Pro Plan:
Enterprise Plan:
Overall, Polly.ai's pricing plans are not transparent, flexible, or affordable for most teams.
The free plan is too limited to be useful, while the paid plans are overpriced and require long-term commitments. You can likely find better value for your money with other polly alternatives that offer more transparent pricing and flexible plans.
👉 Wrenly offers a comprehensive suite of features, while Polly focuses on basic surveys and public suggestion boxes.
👉 Wrenly has advanced AI capabilities, while Polly does not offer any AI features.
👉 Wrenly offers an automated points & rewards system, while Polly does not have this feature.
👉 Wrenly provides both public and private suggestion boxes, while Polly only offers public suggestion boxes.
👉 Wrenly is designed for leadership and people teams seeking a comprehensive solution, while Polly is suitable for teams with basic needs.
👉 Polly is slightly more affordable, but Wrenly offers more features and value for the extra cost.
Attribute
Polly
Wrenly
Better
Feature
Surveys, public suggestion boxes, standups
Surveys, suggestion boxes (public & private), recognitions, rewards, celebrations, whistleblower portal
Wrenly
Affordability
$4/user/month, 25% annual discount
$5/user/month, 20% annual discount
Polly
Target Audience
Teams primarily needing surveys and public suggestion boxes
Leadership or people teams seeking a comprehensive employee engagement platform
Wrenly
AI Capabilities
No AI features
Advanced AI for moderation, reports, themes, and more
Wrenly
Recognitions & Rewards
Not offered
Automated points & rewards system
Wrenly
Suggestion Boxes
Public only
Both public and private
Wrenly
Pricing
Slightly cheaper
Slightly pricier, but more features
Wrenly
If you're still on the fence about which tool to integrate into your workflow, let me guide you through a concise summary:
Choosing between Wrenly and Polly? Here’s why Wrenly might just be the tool your team needs:
As we wrap up, consider suggestion boxes not just as a tool, but as a partner in enhancing team collaboration and innovation.
Its value proposition, focusing on simplicity, inclusivity, and efficiency, makes it a compelling choice for those looking to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Try Wrenly for free (no credit card details required) and create an engaging employee survey now! 🥂