KEYGroup Newsletter EZINE Archives [back to EZINE archive main page] Issue Number Eight: August 2005
Gaining the Competitive Edge in Today's Environment Leaders of every
type of organization are confronted with the challenge of managing in
a demanding, highly-competitive and uncertain economic environment.
While some organizations flounder in the face of rising competition,
other organizations respond to the challenge with innovation,
creativity, energy, and passion. These organizations -- which we call
Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organizations -- are peopled with employees
who are driven by a powerful sense of ownership, fierce pride, and a
new-found sense of loyalty. At KEYGroup we believe that today's
leaders need to build a Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization for
themselves and their employees to achieve a competitive advantage in
today's marketplace.
What
is your organization's competitive edge?
If your answer is anything other than "our corporate culture," beware. Someone out there is trying to copy your idea, make your product more cheaply, or lure your best people away. At KEYGroup®, we believe the most competitive type of businesses is a Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization, or VEO, which has five characteristics:
"Corporate Culture" … Does It Matter Anymore? A number of years ago the term "Corporate Culture" was on many managers' lips. It was seen as an effective way to think about how we manage and change our organizations. However, the extremes of the past few years made it seem like most organizations were more at the mercy of external circumstances, such as economic downturns, wars, evolving technology and shifting population patterns. In circumstances such as those concerns about "culture" seemed fuzzy and abstract. Today strong organizations recognize the need to be proactive in the face of increased competition and the impending "labor gap," and that means paying attention to corporate culture. . Wondering whether you have the kind of corporate culture that promotes growth and profitability? Take the quiz below!
The following questions may help you assess
the extent to which your employees would benefit if your company
became a Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization
1. What impact
could a higher level of "Risk-Tolerance" ___ Reduced Costs ___
Improved Bottom Line
2. To what extent do your employees grasp the "Big Picture?" They usually: ___ See the forest ___ Focus on the trees ___ Keep their noses in the bark
3. Are your employees focused upon the organization's most important priorities? They are: ___ Sharply focused ___ A little blurry ___ Blind
4. How frequently do you celebrate success in your organization? ___ Frequently ___ Occasionally ___ What's success?
5. When a significant change occurs in your organization, your employees usually: ___ Know what happened and why ___ Wonder what happened . For an analysis of what your scores above may mean, call 1-800-456-5790.
The "Art" of Communication . . . or Not! Today's job seekers need to read classified ads carefully to decipher the true meaning of certain common phrases found in want ads. To help, we offer the following translations found posted at several sites on the internet (If anyone knows the original source of these wonderful definitions, please email us.:
If you know of any similar examples of "corporate-speak"
or funny definitions, please email them to us.
. The Power of Personal Risk-Taking
"Getting to our destination requires that
we first take personal responsibility for our situation. …
Assuming personal responsibility means we are accountable for what we
do. We are being driven by what is important to us, not by external
forces; for we respond actively, not reactively, to life's
situations. In the face of change we can take the initiative even as
change is occurring." . Order your copy of The Keys to Conquering Change: 100 Tales of Success by Dr. Joanne G. Sujansky, CSP, a stimulating book that outlines strategies for tackling life's changes. The Keys to Conquering Change Includes the tales of 100 people from various walks of life and cultures who successfully responded to and conquered change. Their experiences can help you to discover the keys to dealing with change successfully and to being exhilarated by it. . To place your order from the KEYGroup website Click Here.
How Can You Create a VEO? In a fiercely competitive economy, the companies that will survive and thrive are those in which every employee thinks and acts like an owner. By nurturing the right type of culture today's organizations can create the necessary conditions to inspire their employees to reach new levels of achievement. These cultural elements are the source of your profitability in a global economy whose mantra is cheaper, faster, better. And after all, your culture is the one thing the competition can't replicate.
If you have a company full of passionate, dedicated people, you have an endless source of brilliant ideas. Your employees have a stake in your company that goes beyond grabbing the next paycheck. They're committed to growing the business. They engage customers. They enthusiastically showcase your brand. Everyone wants to be a part of what you have. You have an entire organization full of vibrant entrepreneurs-and that's the key to thriving in the global economy. All contents copyright 2005 by KEYGroup® Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
To learn more about how you can create a Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization contact KEYGroup® at 724-942-7900 or visitour websites www.keygroupconsulting.com and www.joannesujansky.com.
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Journalist Gary
Stoller, the author of USA Today's article, entitled "Companies give front-line employees more power," points to several companies that are becoming known for exceptional
customer service. Among his examples are Hampton Inns, Southwest
Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, Dollar Rent-a-Car, Thrifty Rent-a-Car,
and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, among others.
How
does your organization stack up?
