Perf improvement LO14822

Jack Zigon (jack@zigonperf.com)
Tue, 2 Sep 97 07:59:38 -0400

On 9/1/97 3:48 PM, learning-org-digest,
learning-org-digest-approval@world.std.com said:

>> From: orgpsych@Augusta.Net
>>
>> You blast everything mentioned regarding performance improvement, employee
>> development, etc. I think you have missed the reality of "modern"
>> organizations where these are quantum leaps into the desired future. If
>> not, then please let us all know where such an organization exists that
>> accurately and specifically prescribes requirements, selects employees
>> fully qualified to meet these requirements, allows the employees to direct
>> their individual performance with no guidance from above, and still
>> performs successfully over extended periods of time. I haven't found such
>> an organization.
>
>I have. A 100 employee company in Lomira, WI named Kondex. The workers
>all work in sefl-managed teams with any "management" between them and the
>CEO. They've reduced cycle time (time from receipt of an order to
>shipment) from 35 days to less than 24 hours. All of the employees
>regularly make changes and improvements -- they have the responsibility
>and authority to do so. It is a learning organization.
>
>I got the process started with workshops for the entire worksforce about
>five years ago and they've kept it going since then.

That's wonderful for a 100 person company. Change that to 1000, or 10,000
or 100,000 and the model will require additional levels of management to
succeed. Agreed though that with a workforce trained like Kondex' it will
be far fewer levels than at most existing companies.

Management still has to say who the customer is an what business we are
in. Management has to say which customer requirement we will meet and
which we will exceed as a competitive advantage. Management has to make
sure that the goals and guidance systems are in place to help the
"self-managing" teams manage themselves. 

-- 
Jack Zigon
President
Zigon Performance Group
PO Box 520
Wallingford, PA 19086-0520


Specializing in Performance Management
for teams and hard-to-measure jobs


Email: jack@zigonperf.com
URL: www.zigonperf.com


Voice: 610-891-9599
Fax: 610-891-9055
Orders: 800-244-2892
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