Your organization's path to success: four strategies that work.

• Author: Britten, Eric
• Position: Business Basics

There have been volumes written about how to successfully manage a business or organization. Yet focusing on four basic elements can help private, public-sector and nonprofit organizations steer a closer course toward success.

DEVELOP CLEAR GOALS

Experts have noted that organizational success happens when everyone is focused on the same goals. There are several important elements that must be present to enable this focus. First, everyone needs to hear what the organization's mission, vision, values and goals are--and hear about them repeatedly. The second part includes a plan for everyone in the organization to follow so they understand how performing their job successfully helps the organization meet its objectives. Everyone from top to bottom should feel as though they own a piece of the organization. Finally, employees need regular feedback about how the organization is doing and about the contribution of their efforts to organizational success.

CREATE ACCOUNTABILITY

Linking employees to organizational goals and operational targets through their job functions, and providing them with periodic updates on progress toward those goals, builds an atmosphere of accountability. Written procedures also contribute significantly to this. Accountability is a critical key to success, not just in the private sector, but also in public and nonprofit sectors.

Private-sector organizations work toward their goals to deliver results to their customers and to the company's owners. Public-sector organizations deliver results to the public, but are also responsible for delivering those services in a cost-effective manner consistent with their organization's mission and goals. Nonprofits serve their own constituencies. Like the public sector, they are responsible for delivering those services in a cost-effective manner consistent with their organization's mission and goals.

MEASURE PROGRESS

In order to know how a particular organization is progressing toward fulfilling its mission and meeting its goals and targets, clear measures and milestones need to be in place at various levels within the organization. Some measures can gauge strategic progress, while others inform managers how well the organization is functioning. Developing a way to gauge your customers' needs and satisfaction should be a part of your organization's performance management. Monthly financials may have...