Organization Improvement

The best organizations do not simply assume that their products or services are better than their competitors. Truly effective organizations take time to benchmark or compare their processes, practices, products and services against the 'best in class' competitors.  In this workshop, participants will learn how to design and implement a highly effective benchmarking process in their organization.

By attending this workshop you will:

• Identify the core principles and purpose of benchmarking
• Understand the benchmarking process
• Be able to scope benchmarking activity
• Build a benchmarking project team
• Identify whether you are ready for implementing a benchmarking project
• Identify why benchmarking programs fail
• Develop a practical plan for conducting a benchmarking initiative in your organization

An effective business enterprise is composed of a number of important core components such as the overall business environment, company vision, mission and values, business processes, people, quality of products or services, internal communication and factors influencing change. It is important for leaders, managers and employees to understand the interdependency of these components and how they make the business a dynamic entity if the organization is to succeed.
By attending this workshop you will be able to:

• Explain the dynamic business environment.
• Understand how their organization must act within that environment to maximize return.
• Identify key activities that impact upon performance.
• Understand the nature of obstacles that may prevent the organization from being a dynamic entity.
• Understand the different ways through which they can have a direct impact on the business.
• Identify areas where the processes are not capable of coping with the dynamic environment and suggesting ways to improve.

All organizations strive to be different and more effective than their competitors, however very few truly understand the qualities that define exceptional organizational performance. To achieve a high degree of success, organizational leaders and managers should understand the factors that will ensure their competitive advantage in today's dynamic marketplace.

By attending this workshop you will be able to:

• Understand what defines an excellent organization
• Describe the components of excellence
• Explain the forms of excellence awards (Baldrige & EFQM)
• Understand the nature of the main obstacles to excellence
• Use the information to increase the understanding of the requirement for departmental and organizational excellence

Organizational Behavior (OB) is the study and application of knowledge about how people, individuals, and groups act in organizations. This workshop defines organizational behavior and identifies the variables and characteristics that influence an individual's behavior in the workplace. Participants will also learn about groups and teams, as well as how decision-making processes, communication styles, organizational structure, and culture influence employee morale and organizational productivity.

By attending this workshop you will be able to:

• Understand the relationship between organizational behavior and the organization
• Understand the evolution of management thought and how this relates to the current thinking on organizational behavior
• Appreciate models of organizational behavior
• Identify and shape an excellent organization
• Develop an action plan for enhancing individual and group interaction and productivity on the job

The culture of an organization is the full set of values that helps its employees understand which actions are desired to move the organization forward in its pursuit of excellence. Understanding how to influence the culture of an organization is a critical skill for any leader as culture has a profound impact on the success of current and future change initiatives.

By attending this workshop you will:

• Understand the relationship between culture and the organization
• Understand the key characteristics of organizational culture
• Identify different images of organizations and how these relate to different organizational forms
• Isolate where your organization sits within the cultural web
• Appreciate structural perspectives on organizational culture
• Understand the excellent organization and how to compare and shape organizational culture

An organization is a collection of interdependent individuals working towards common goals and whose relationships are critical for achieving short and long term organizational success. Effective leaders and managers understand how span of control, administrative hierarchy, vision of labor and the organizational chart can be of great benefit to employees in achieving their work objectives.

By attending this workshop you will be able to:

• Understand the key concepts that underpin the organizational structure adopted by all organizations
• Identify the main dimensions of organizational structure
• Appreciate the concepts of Force and Form as they relate to the organization
• Detail six models of organizational structure