“If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.” Thomas J. Watson, Sr.
When I recently conducted on-line research to identify the key factors that contribute to organization success, I discovered a reference to the “EFQM Excellence Model.” This sparked my curiosity, so I looked into it- and this is what I learned:
The EFQM Excellence Model is “a non-prescriptive framework for organizational management systems, promoted by EFQM (formerly known as the European Foundation for Quality Management) and designed for helping organizations in their drive towards being more competitive.” [Wikipedia]
What I like about the EFQM Excellence Model is that, at least for me, it provides a very clear and accessible blueprint for building sustainable organizational excellence.
All of the following information is abridged or adapted from material at http://www.efqm.org/efqm.
Excellent Organizations achieve and sustain outstanding levels of performance that meet or exceed the expectations of all their stakeholders.
The Fundamental Concepts of Excellence outline the foundation for achieving sustainable excellence in any organization. Each of the Concepts is important in its own right, but maximum benefit is achieved when an organization can integrate them all into its culture.
These Fundamental Concepts are:
Adding Value for Customers by understanding, anticipating and fulfilling needs, expectations and opportunities.
Creating a Sustainable Future by enhancing their performance whilst simultaneously advancing the economic, environmental and social conditions within the communities they touch.
Developing Organizational Capability by effectively managing change within and beyond the organizational boundaries.
Harnessing Creativity & Innovation of their stakeholdersbygenerating increased value and levels of performance through continual improvement and systematic innovation.
Leading With Vision, Inspiration & Integrity through leaders who shape the future and make it happen, acting as role models for its values and ethics.
Managing With Agility by identifying and responding effectively and efficiently to opportunities and threats.
Succeeding Through the Talent of People by valuing their people and creating a culture of empowerment for the achievement of both organizational and personal goals.
Sustaining Outstanding Results that meet both the short and long term needs of all their stakeholders, within the context of their operating environment.
I like how the EFQM Excellence Model identifies the different factors while also reinforcing how important each is to the organization as a whole. I’m unable to insert it here, so please look at it at http://www.efqm.org/efqm.
The model is based on nine criteria. Five of the criteria cover what an organization does and how it does it: Leadership, People, Strategy, Partnerships & Resources, and Processes, Products & Services. The four other criteria cover what an organization achieves: People Results, Customer Results, Society Results and Business Results.
There is also what they call a “Radar Logic” (a variation on Plan-Do-Check-Act) that they introduce as a “dynamic assessment framework and powerful management tool that provides a structured approach to questioning the performance of an organization.”
If your organization is looking for a proven and practical blueprint for organizational excellence, this might be a good model to consider.
May your learning be sweet.
Deborah
