Make that boat go faster and sail the 7C’s

There was plenty of best practice, learning and knowledge sharing at this year’s Midlands Excellence conference, and real inspiration was to be found in the form of double rowing Olympian Steve Williams.

“How do you make the boat go faster?” is a rowing analogy that really struck a chord with us at Investors in Excellence and it set us thinking where we can take our own little boat – across the 7Cs.

Commitment – all excellent organisations commit to a journey of improvement and learning with a defined success point, the achievement of a vision, just like commiting to win a gold medal.

Constancy – all excellent organisations remain constant to the cause. Just like the Olympian in training, temptation will come their way, but constancy of purpose will win through.

Collaboration – all excellent organisations know they can’t do it all on their own. Partners, like teammates and support crew have their role to play in the efficient and effective execution of your plans.

Customer - all excellent organisations know that they have to constantly deliver value to their customers, and customers requirements will always change, just like the coach who demands more and more of the crew.

Consistency – all excellent organisations know that they have to get in the habit of predictably dull, excellent performance. We just expect it of ourselves; winning is our habit.

Continuous Improvement – all excellent organisations know they have to be always thinking. If every day the competition are going faster and the coach wants more, we have to think how to be better and better and better, and try some of those ideas out.

Certification – all excellent organisations know standards and awards make the truly excellent stand out, just like having a gold medal put around your neck.

Someone who has crossed a few seas, the hard way, is the Olympian James Cracknell, see what he has to say at the Midlands Excellence Awards Ceremony on 21st January 2010.