Tip #438: 6 Ways To Improve Your Performance

If you interviewed 100 people in business today, most will tell you that they are accurate 95% of the time. However, when you consider a 95% accuracy rate for doctors, bankers, pilots, air traffic controllers and corporate billing centers, the results could be (and often are) rather disastrous.

Consider These Shocking Statistics.

• 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong bank account in the next 60 minutes.
• Each day, 12 babies will be given to the wrong parents.
• The O'Hare International Airport will receive two unsafe plane landings today.
• Each day, doctors perform 107 incorrect medical procedures.

These facts demonstrate that improvement should be a never-ending process, regardless of your industry. Not only does this improve the customer experience and potentially save money, continual improvement will reduce the amount of stress you endure when your company makes mistakes.

 

Over time, organizations sometimes fail to make changes or audit procedures because what they have in place seems to be working. However, executives must frequently review these processes - even if something works well, there is usually a place in the procedure for added value to the client or customer.

6 Ways To Help Your Organization Improve Its Performance.

 

1. Audit And Ask - Ask questions as you evaluate each department and procedure. If you don't have all of the information, you could do more harm than good when making adjustments to procedures.

2. Measure The Right Metrics - You need to ensure that your organization measures the appropriate metrics. Once you do, you will be able to see what areas need improvement. You can also track the improvements and reward employees for a job well done. Use this data to set new standards.

3. Manage Expectations - When performances and procedures are audited, it's natural that employees feel scared or insecure. Be honest with your employees - tell them why you are doing the audit and encourage their participation. This should be an organization-wide effort.

4. Keep In Mind The Big Picture - Even if you are only focusing on the improvement of a specific department, make sure to analyze and consider how this will affect other departments and the overall organization. Do not lose your sense of synergy as you improve.

5. Provide And Implement Solutions - If you hire an external consultant to analyze and provide suggestions for improvement, you must still remain heavily involved in the process. Although many consultants perform well because they have an objective view of the organization, real change must occur from within. If you do not buy into the change, your employees will not, either.

6. Fine-Tune Your Teams - Teamwork requires time, effort, and scrutiny. Are your teams working together effectively? Make sure your teams are performing at their peak. If not, determine what you can do to support teams to work together more efficiently and effectively.

Executive Summary: Successful improvement is collaborative and team-driven. Everyone must buy in to the fact that change will improve process, productivity, and corporate culture. To do this, you must analyze and present data about present areas needing improvement. Inform your team about the reasons for your analysis of their productivity.

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