 |
| The Road to Excellence |
|
Is Your Company On The Road To Excellence?
Surviving in business is founded on good management, a viable business opportunity, a solid action plan, sufficient capital, and perhaps a little bit of luck. However, to thrive by performing beyond expectations requires something more. In this rapidly troubled economy, successful companies are still out there. We may not hear about their successes, since it doesn't have the scoop affect like the Enrons, Countrywides and WorldComs. "Success always occurs in private and failure in full view" (Anon). A profile of successful companies:* They move fast on an initiative without a lot of organizational friction They are cost efficient and conscious and have low overhead Their output per employee is high They are close to the customer They motivate and empower their employees They use outside advice or strong boards Successful companies have vision, a plan that goes beyond the immediate. They anticipate future needs and are willing to take risks to meet those needs. Successful companies realize that failure is part of the learning process. Successful companies are good listeners and good communicators. They communicate the goals to their employees and encourage participation in the company's vision and goals. Good communication can create loyalty and foster an atmosphere of mutual responsibility and of commitment to a common goal. Top companies provide top quality products and services. There are no compromises when it comes to quality. Their products and services are directly linked to their reputation and they take pride in what they do. A lot of mistakes come from sitting still and not understanding the cost of indecision. Identifying the problem and acting on it immediately is one of the assets of a successful company. It may require thinking outside the box. Any problem can be solved if you are proactive and willing to take full responsibility no matter the outcome. To thrive, a company must aspire to be the best. To do this, set realistic goals and have a sense of commitment to excel after the goals where reached. Do not set goals that are unrealistic, and therefore create an impossible mission to be accomplished. Low morale commonly accompanies unrealistic goals as employees work hard to achieve impossible targets and employers fail to show appreciation for the effort set forth. *Inc. Magazine, January 2008 |