Five Keys To High Performance Organizations

According to research firm Gartner, high performing organizations (HPOs) share five characteristics:

1. They set ambitious targets and consistently and continuously achieve those objectives.
2. They display a strong sense of purpose through shared values both inside (among employees) and outside the organization (among customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders).
3. They have a strategic focus and alignment so that employees know how they are contributing to the results of the organization.
4. They have the agility to adapt to changing circumstances quickly.
5. And, finally, they have a common and shared business model throughout the organization.

BOTTOMLINE: Emulating these organizations requires a focus on performance management. The journey toward becoming a high-performance organization is never-ending, and it's full of pitfalls and detours. Still, every step along the way is worthwhile because it improves the company in some manner. For the HPO, the journey is the destination.