Everywhere you look, standards are rising. In business, in sports, in education, in healthcare – really in all aspects of human and organizational achievement – what is considered world class continues to increase. For example… It used to take 72 hours by plane to cross the Atlantic (1913); it now takes just over six. The […]
Continue ReadingInsights to Excellence: Tips from the Country’s Highest Performing Organizations
I just got back last week from the Quest for Excellence, the Baldrige Program’s annual conference, in Baltimore. Recognized for achieving high performance were four extraordinary organizations (each also to be featured in next week’s PENworks 2015 Minnesota conference): PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Sector Practice (VA), St. David’s HealthCare (TX), Elevations Credit Union (CO), and Hill Country […]
Continue ReadingValuing our Differences: How Cross-Sector Learning Stimulates Innovation
I remember the call distinctly: it was the summer of 2007, when the Superintendent of Duluth Public Schools called, seeking benchmarking partners. He was looking for other school districts that were more advanced at using data to make decisions and to manage and improve performance. I gave him two or three districts from which I […]
Continue ReadingWhat the Gophers Can Teach Business about Winning: Coach Kill to Keynote PENworks 2015
As winter winds down (eventually) and spring approaches, many sports enthusiasts have moved from the gridiron to March Madness. But football season is not quite over for the Performance Excellence Network, as we are pleased to announce our fifth and final keynote speaker at PENworks 2015: Jerry Kill, head coach of the Minnesota Gophers!
Continue Reading2015 Performance Excellence Award Deadlines Announced
Is your organization interested in using a proven Framework to identify and prioritize its improvement opportunities? Would your workforce engagement increase from providing input into your organization’s future? Would your organization benefit from public recognition of your improvement efforts and your performance outcomes?
Continue ReadingLearn What Drives Organizational Excellence: Become a 2015 Performance Excellence Award Evaluator
Are you interested in learning more about what makes organizations successful? Are you interested in helping other organizations — such as schools, hospitals, non-profits, and businesses — around the three-state region improve their performance? Would you be interested in networking, learning, and sharing with others who feel the same way?
Continue Reading14 New Year’s Resolutions for Personal Productivity, Health, Happiness
Research shows that up to 80% of New Year’s resolutions are broken, and that the average date of breaking resolutions is about January 20 (so much of us failed about a week ago!). But if you want a second chance, here are 14 research-based New Year’s resolutions for you to try – tips for improving […]
Continue ReadingCliffsNotes to Excellence: 50 Year-End Tips to Improve Leadership, Organizational Performance
It’s a busy season – shopping, wrapping, decorating, holiday gatherings, baking (well, for some people!), as well as year-end business deadlines, planning and budgeting for next year. So in the spirit of the season – and recognizing that everyone is just a little busier in December – I’m offering a short, reflective column this month: […]
Continue ReadingLeadership’s Role in Sustaining Excellence
Last week, I was honored to participate in ASQ MN Section’s Executive Roundtable, exploring the role of leaders in creating a culture of quality. The day-long forum investigated the links between employee engagement, customer focus, measurement and overall enterprise excellence. Over lunch, I was asked to talk about the role of leaders in creating a […]
Continue ReadingThe Principles of Performance Excellence: Baldrige 101-201 Workshops
Feb 10 (Rochester) and Feb 11 (Twin Cities) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm The need to improve your organization’s performance has perhaps never been greater. This “new normal” we’ve been enjoying the last few years has created a renewed need for improvement and systemic change within all organizations: customers expect more, competent workers are growing scarce, and […]
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