Commonly found in retail and food establishments, the suggestion box is one of the most underused and underrated relationship building devices and all it takes is a pencil, a pad of paper and a small drop box.

There is value in feedback. Often times you will know how your business is doing with the amount and quality of feedback you are getting. Sure, there can be pranksters once in a while but you’ll be amazed at the level of feedback you get when they’re written down.

It takes a good push to prompt people to write but when they go expect some strong sentiments to go with them. So whether it’s positive feedback or negative feedback, the point that the person took the effort to write it down means something.

And this trick doesn’t always apply to retail establishments. If you’re a company and would want to get feedback from employees without being too formal or demanding, a suggestion box by the water cooler can be a good idea.

Most of the time, you’ll get some really good (can be positive or negative) feedback from good people. Lazy employees who don’t give squat wouldn’t put in the effort in writing and that helps you weed out retarded suggestions immediately.

You can even extend the idea if you’re looking for that next grand business move that can only be thought off from spontaneity. Just make available a suggestion box and offer a reward for the winning suggestion, you’ll be amazed at how far some people will go for a few hundred dollars.

Value anonymity too, if you can. Sometimes the fear of repercussions might make it a detrimental exercise. So just be casual and leave a suggestion box for everyone to drop their 2 cents worth.