High Performing Organizations

What characteristics define high performing organizations? Many variables can be argued as important for success. For example, talented leadership. Educated, experienced, enthusiastic workforce. Outstanding products. Solid partnerships with customers, vendors, unions. Leading edge technology. World class quality. State of the art facilities. All of these variables and more are arguably important. But, what characteristics separate the high performers from the has beens?

I have found in my consulting practice that the two characteristics consistently present in high performing organizations today are not arguable. Agility. All facets of the organization must be fast, all the way from capturing new customers to developing and fabricating a new product to training employees to timely billing and administration to decisions to cut losses and move on. Lack of speed can clog an organization and help create a mindset that merely plodding along is an acceptable way to do business. Those who have established agility as one of their driving forces are most likely to be successful.

The next variable that is very common in high performing organizations is Flexibility. Today, more so than any other time, organizations must be willing to change as situations demand. Organizations that are living in the past or trying to get by based upon their history of successful performance are in danger of losing to more flexible competitors. Flexible organizations are able to adapt the external factors that impact upon their business. Being able to sense factors that are really important AND make the necessary changes quickly will ultimately lead to success. Flexibility along with the courage to make innovative changes are vital.

Agility and Flexibility. If you do not have it, get it.