best practices

The Baldrige Program has been ranked as a top 2011-2012 Leadership Development Program by Leadership Excellence magazine.  Baldrige was ranked 11th in the list of government/military leadership training programs along side of others such as the Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and West Point.

The magazine used survey responses, interviews, and site visits to evaluate the programs.  Organizational rankings were based on seven criteria: vision/mission, involvement/participation, accountability/measurement, design/content/curriculum, presenters/presentations/delivery, take home value, and outreach.

The GSQC provides Baldrige training in New Hampshire.  Click here to for an overview of our training programs and contact us for more information.

In a recent study, CEO's using the Baldrige Criteria and other Baldrige Program resources reported more benefits than if they had used the best available alternatives to develop their performance excellence strategies.  See the attached document to learn more about this and other benefits of using the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence such as:

1. Baldrige Award Winners create more jobs
2. Baldrige Hospitals save more lives and are stronger financially
3. Baldrige small businesses demonstrate increasing sales, profits, and market share
4. Baldrige manufacturers' revenues improved 48% annually, on average
5. Baldrige education organizations effectively improve reading and mathematics proficiency and graduation rates

Baldrige 20/20: An Executive's Guide to the Criteria for Performance Excellence helps executives of any organization discover the benefits of using the Baldrige Criteria to strive for excellence, achieve breakthrough performance, and face tomorrow's challenges with confidence.

Leaders of Baldrige Award winners from all sectors share results and examples in the five sections of this 116 page book including:

• Representatives Role Models and Data
• Award Winners' Journeys: How Baldrige Led Them to Excellence
• The Criteria: Framework for Performance Excellence
• How Can the Baldrige Program Help You Now?
• Examples by Criteria Category

As Cargill CEO and President Greg Page notes in the foreword, "Baldrige 20/20 provides today's executives with practical examples and keen insights on who organizations can stay focused and excel."

Paper copies of Baldrige 20/20 can be ordered from the ASQ Store for $13/each.   More information and a free PDF version is available from the Baldrige website.

Contact the GSQC for insight on how the information in Baldrige 20/20 can help your organization.

2011 featured variety in both organizations and presentation topics, demonstrating that every size and type of organization has best practices worthy of sharing. People who attended found that everyone can gain insight from what another organization is doing – even if that organization is very different from your own. 

For example BAE Systems shared how they strive to engage an employee’s hands, head, and heart to support revolutionary innovation and improvements. New Hampshire Ball Bearings demonstrated how putting people first supports both quality and cost efficiency. Dancing Lion Chocolate and the Grappone Collision Center showed how the principles of performance excellence apply to every organization – even a micro business and a body shop. And, Boynton Middle School showed us that creating a culture of student excellence can go hand-in-hand with, and even contribute to fiscal responsibility.

Registration for the 24th annual Quest for Excellence is now open!  Attend Quest and learn how the Baldrige Program creates great value for your organization and the whole US economy.

The conference, which will showcase the best practices and lessons learned of the four 2011 Baldrige Award Recipients, along with those from past awardees, is being held April 16-18 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC.  Quest will feature two in-depth plenary sessions featuring senior executives of the 2011 recipients, and numerous concurrent sessions from which to choose, including extended how-to sessions.  Visit the Baldrige website for updates on the conference schedule which will feature 22 former Award recipients sharing their proven strategies and real-world insights.

In addition, on the evening of April 15th, an Award Ceremony and Reception will recognize both the 2011 and 2010 Baldrige Award recipients.

For more information about the Quest for Excellence Conference visit the conference webpage.  For questions contact the GSQC at (603) 223-1312 or the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program at (301) 975-2036.