"The Principles of High Performance—And How to Apply Them"

Leon Martel

Journal of Organizational Excellence

Autumn 2002, pp. 49-59

This article is excerpted from the author's book "High Performers: How the Best Companies Find and Keep Them." The article summarizes what the author has found to be the best practices of companies re high performers. Four general dimensions are examined, with best practices identified for each area:

1. Work Content and the Work Environment—"The practices of the best companies recognize that employees need, above all, to believe that the work they do is important and that they are valued." The relevant principles here are (a) Convey the importance of the company's work; (b) Engage employees; (c) Recognize employees; and (d) Value employees as whole people.
2. Recruiting and Hiring—The relevant principles here are (a) Look to new and changing sources of labor; (b) Search for new skills in new ways; and (c) Select with changing techniques.
3. Compensation and Benefits—The relevant principles here are (a) Make base pay competitive and equitable; (b) Pay for performance; (c) Pay for retention; and (d) Reassure employees with benefits.
4. Education and Training—The relevant principles here are (a) Make learning continuous; (b) Make training informal; (c) Share information; (d) Meet changing needs with appropriate job-related programs; and (e) Promote general education.

The author also identifies a number of "key themes" which recur in the practices of the best companies:

1. Practices should be aligned with strategy;
2. Culture is critical;
3. Paying attention to the competition is vital;
4. Face-to-face relations are necessary;
5. Listening is the most important part of communicating;
6. Engaging employees is essential;
7. Investing in employees is required;
8. Evaluating practices is the way to learn how they are working
9. Commitment begets commitment.

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