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How does one find a truly progressive company?
I am seeking a way to find a company that is truly interested in continuous improvement, team building, and personal growth. I have encountered companies that say they are committed, but in reality have no interest in anything other than maintaining the status quo. Are there tell-tale signs or questions than can be asked in an interview that would be indicators of those where the management is behind continuous improvement? Thanks in advance.
Good Answers (3)
Phil J
Ph.D. Authentic Leadership™ + Authentic Sales Leadership Coach
Best Answers in: Change Management (4), Organizational Development (3), Mentoring (2), Internationalization and Localization (1), Non-profit Management (1), Career Management (1), Ethics (1), Small Business (1)
Organizational Greatness - What To Look For In A Truly Progressive Company
The company has an ongoing authentic leadership development program in place that is part of their strategic vision. The senior executives within the organization are active supporters and participants.
Key Attributes
- They are focused on achieving 90 day results that are in line with a shared 3 year vision
- Superior financial performance - relative to the market potential (size is not growth)
- Customer loyalty - high repurchase and referral rates
- A willingness to invest their resources to help the company succeed
- Employee loyalty and engagement - they recommend their company to others
- The company is providing a distinctive contribution to the marketplace
- Employees have the necessary tools and resources to succeed in their roles
- A high level of personal engagement and accountability
- Employees are responsible to but not for the actions of others
- The value of “play days” and “focus days” is recognized and promoted
- Activities are more proactive than reactive
- Environment is relaxed, high energy where people like and respect each other
- Company’s resources are aligned with its clients, business partners and suppliers
Execution Attributes
- Everyone is clear and committed to the outcomes that define success
- People understand which actions will have the greatest impact on the desired outcomes
- Teams have regular discussions regarding accountability and engagement around goals
Great Organizational Practices
- Focused on one or two key goals that if not achieved nothing else matters
- Key measures defined that will have the biggest impact on the desired outcomes
- Phil Johnson, MBL Coach
MBLCoach@MasterofBusinessLeadership.com
MBL blog http://masterofbusinessleadership.blogspot.com
David C
Experienced Training Development Consultant, Coach and Writer
Best Answers in: Career Management (6), Resume Writing (5), Job Search (3), Mentoring (2), Staffing and Recruiting (2), Freelancing and Contracting (1), Business Development (1), Change Management (1)
Companies can say a lot but actions speak louder than words. Questions to ask about what companies do include:
Questions
1. What is the vision of the company? And what steps is the company taking to make that a reality? Ask for specific examples. What barriers have they encountered? What succcesses have they had?
2. What percentage of total revenue is spent on training and development?
- This should not be a difficult question for a progressive company.
3. How much do you spend on average for each employee's development?
- This is a measure of the company's commitment.
4. Where do you see me (the job applicant) in five years?
- How are you going to support my growth?
Tell-tale Signs
Find out how many senior executives have come from outside the company. Change often comes from external sources.
What are their policies on benefits that progressive companies offer: domestic partnership, sabbaticals, on-site child care, giving back to the community, tuition reimbursement, and personal development.
Rosalind King D
Managing Director, In Your Corner Coaching & Consulting Services
Best Answers in: Organizational Development (2), Career Management (1), Blogging (1)
(1) Look in an industry where business success is tied to rapid adaptation, customer focus, and employee attraction, retention and development.
(2) Find people with an orientation like yours and pump them. Do they like where they work? Where would they work if they had the choice? What have they heard from people they know?
(3) Don't ignore the possibility that larger companies might have micro-cultures that would resemble what you're looking for. The Gallup Organization's research (see the book "First Break All the Rules") indicates that many employee-satisfaction variables are dependent on the immediate manager rather than company-wide characteristics.
More Answers (5)
I think the military is a good place to look. Seriously.
The characteristics of a truly progressive company that could surface in an interview are
1)Ask the founder/representative - what is thier motto and vision and how have they tried to get there till now - that would give thier committment levels.
2)Profile of the founder and other key persons might give you a hint at what they are ?
3)Ask them their weaknesses and how they are getting themselves equipped to tackle them?
These questions might not be fool proof but none the less they are better among the questions you can ask.
The real progressive nature can only be known when you work with them.
Thanks
Check what their employee education policies are (especially by asking actual employees). Ask where the company expects to be in 5 years. Review the company history...is it new...have there been any major (not incremental) changes recently...are people promoted from within...have there been major management changes...what is employee turnover like...
In general "a progressive company" is a combination of a lot of great employees and management that challenges them. But it really depends on the people.
I think start-ups are really good place to work for progressive future. And Founder's profile is important to be taken into consideration while choosing good start-up.
Bhupendra
Links:
Michael P. L
President & Owner of LIM Sales and Consulting, Inc.
Best Answers in: Quality Management and Standards (2), Contracts (1)
Simple......
Visit the employee washroom for tell-tale signs and then ask the janitor to describe his perspective of management's comittment to continuous improvement, team building, and personal growth!