If you are a manager of an organisation, a department or a team of people, you are probably facing continued pressure to improve your performance in such areas as, return to shareholders, overall productivity, quality, sales, profits, revenues, cost savings… sound familiar?

Just about every company in Australia today, is facing the pressures caused by increasing globalisation. We are continually told to think global but act local - which has inspired what Harvard now terms acting, 'glocal'. Fact is, being great at what you do is no longer good enough. For organisations and managers to survive and prosper in the white water rapids of today's global market place, you have to be more than great at what you do - you have to be fantastic at what you do!

Fantastic organisations

What do fantastic organisations do?

We can find the answer by looking at outstanding and enduring organisations like, Disney, 3M, American Express, Motorola, Nordstrom and Sony. Global organisations that have survived for over 50 years, out performed the stock market and consistently produced quality products and services.

Substantial research, by Collins and Porras out of Stanford University, identified a number of key behaviours these organisations exhibit that make them fantastic.

Let's have a look at some:

1. Clearly defined vision

Fantastic organisations make sure that every person working for them has absolute clarity as to what it is they are working to achieve and how they personally contribute. The company vision becomes a definitive expression of purpose and meaning and breathes life into every activity and action. They ensure that every department, every team and every individual is strategically aligned with the organisation's vision. This results in creating strong synergies in every area of the business and a competitive advantage in the market place.

2. Commitment to people

Fantastic organisations realise that the success and growth of their business depends on the people who work for them. They go beyond lip service to statements such as, 'people are our most valuable asset' by significantly investing in their growth and well being.

These organisations believe in growing their people from within their own ranks, providing horizontal opportunities for learning and development and allowing people to reach their potential through non traditional channels.

3. Always seeking to improve

Fantastic organisations live by the maxim 'good enough, never is'.

They have a professional restlessness towards their products and services, processes, procedures. Their commitment in this area goes far deeper than a QA program. It is an intrinsic part of their culture, it involves the way they think, act and behave.

People are encouraged to experiment, try new things, implement new ideas, take risks. They create a blame free work environment where failure is seen as a learning experience. And, even when they have achieved new industry standards of excellence, they will still focus on doing better next time.

4. Innovation and creativity

Fantastic organisations place a high value on innovation and creativity. They 'out think' their competition. They don't push their people to work harder, they train them to think more effectively. They believe in the notion espoused by Dr Edward de Bono, "We pay for their hands and get their minds for free".

These organisations realise the power and potential that exists in the minds of their people. They are committed to being leaders in their industry; the ones that others strive to keep pace with.

These organisations have thrown off the constricting attitudes that suggest people are lazy, don't really want to work and will try to rip the organisation off wherever possible. They have embraced the attitude that people are intelligent, interested and committed to their own growth and development and they provide them with opportunities to prove themselves.

5. Meeting customer needs

Fantastic organisations are obsessive about meeting customer needs and have gone beyond customers service. They have embraced the concepts of customer intimacy. That is, they have become obsessive about knowing who their customers are and finding out exactly what they need.

These organisations are continually looking for ways to add value to the existing relationship, building long term loyalty and encouraging referrals.

6. Paranoid about change

Fantastic organisations have learned to 'surf' the change revolution. They have structured themselves to be flexible enough to quickly meet market demands and respond effectively to threatening competitor activity. They are not bound by traditional organisational strictures such as bureaucratic systems, poor communication or management hierarchies.

These organisations are not afraid to embrace new technologies and methodologies, in fact they relish such activity. They are always scanning for new trends and indications of future direction. They embrace and encourage change. For them, to stand still is to die!

The challenge for every manager responsible for the success and continuation of their business is to move their organisation from being great to becoming fantastic. The lessons we can learn from truly fantastic organisations around the world are poignant at all levels and in all circumstances.

So, take up the challenge and start your journey towards - creating a fantastic organisation!