3 Strategies That High-Performing Companies Always Follow

3 Strategies That High-Performing Companies Always Follow

Any HR professional can tell you that, in the end, company success comes down to who you hire and how well they perform. But, with so much advice out there, what are some tried-and-true fundamentals for getting the highest performance out of your employees?

Below you’ll find three guiding principles for creating across-the-board success. The best companies do them better than everyone else. And, you’ll notice that they come from remembering that you are dealing with human beings who want to feel inspired by their work and respected by their employer.

The following are common practices found at most every profitable company.

1. They Communicate – Rather than limit discussions of strategy and vision to board meetings and executive brainstorming sessions, these companies share their thinking openly with the whole company. The message is, “We are all in this together and headed in the same direction.” They encourage talk across departments, rather than settling for silos. And, when asked about tactics and goals they give honest feedback.  Every employee knows where they stand on even the toughest issues.
2. They Set Goals – Sure, we all know that businesses want loyal employees and money in the bank. But, you have to be more specific. The most successful companies certainly are. They set company goals that have clear metrics for defining success. They then mandate a similar process to set departmental goals that align with those company goals. And, perhaps most importantly, they then have managers help individual employees set goals. And, those goals don’t disappear as the year goes on. They are regularly referenced as part of a company-wide approach to work. Everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing and knows if they are achieving success.
3. They Recognize Achievements – The most profitable companies reward achieving goals with more than just money. Sure, “cash is king” but most employees also want recognition. They want the opportunity to grow and to know what they are doing matters. Take heed, according to research from Accenture reported in Forbes, the number one reason employees will leave a job position in 2013 is a of lack of recognition at their current employer.

Make 2013 the High-Performance Year

How well do your employees understand how where the company is headed? Are goals for the entire organization, as well as each individual, clearly stated? And, do those moving the needle get the thanks and praise they deserve?

Take an inventory of how close your company culture is to a true high-performance culture. Determine some steps you can take in the right direction and make this the year your “High Performance” year. Any efforts you make are sure to make a positive difference.