Organization assessments are used for learning and improvement. Much
like an annual health physical, this tool helps managers better understand
what is working well and on what they should be focusing their improvement
efforts. Assessments also are effective at helping communicate priorities
with various stakeholders and with monitoring progress over time.
But the real value of an assessment is its ability to improve performance
– to improve outcomes and drive tangible organizational results. And a few studies
have proven the value of an assessment and systemic management framework.
Consider the evidence from one study
in 2001*. Organizations that won their state quality award compared
to a control group of matched companies show superior performance:
- operating profit margins of 46.8% versus 2.7%,
- return on assets of 10.3% versus -5.5%, and
- return on equity of 18.7% versus -5.9%.
In another similar study in
1999**, award winners show tremendous growth over a control group of
similar organizations. They show:
- 58% faster growth in stock price appreciation,
- 116% faster growth in sales,
- 114% faster growth in total assets, and
- 229% growth in employees.
In fact, organizations that use an assessment, show high levels and
increasing trends in a variety of indicators – financial, customer/student/patient/citizen/stakeholder,
employee, and operational.
Senior leaders from a variety of organizations have seen the value
of our assessment, as represented by these testimonials:
"It amazes me that U.S. businesses
spend so much money on 'how to' books and coursework to teach leaders
how to build successful organizations. My recommendation: implement
the Baldrige-based Criteria into your business. No other single document
can help build a long-term successful organization."
-- Jerry R. Rose,
President, Sunny Fresh Foods, Monticello
"Applying for the Baldrige
Award helped us set a pace for our quality improvement efforts that
we otherwise wouldn't have maintained. It created an accountability
through the Award cycles that moved us faster and further than we could
have done on our own.
- Jeff Pope, Partner, Custom Research, Golden
Valley
For more information on our assessment
process and how it can benefit your organization, please contact
the Council.
*
Mark Wrolstad and Thomas Krueger, “Study Shows that Quality
Pays Winners,” Summer 2001.
** Kevin B. Hendricks and Vinod R. Singhal, “Don’t Count
TQM Out,” Quality Progress, April 1999
