When I speak on behalf of PTAC on lesson’s learned in working with the government and gaining government contracts…. the message seems so basic.

Small businesses like Ignite Worldwide’s are mostly built off relationships vs. price. Therefore we have to do a great job of doing small tasks well!

- Showing up

-Doing what we say we will do

-Great Quality

-Solid Strategies

-Lean process

-Ability to have the conversations

-Listening, understanding and servicing our customers well!

Consider what are your values and how does your company spread the word?

In search of excellence a favorite of mine, the three main points include:

• People
• Customers
• Action

Peters says that In Search of Excellence turned these ‘soft’ factors into hard ones, when previously the only ‘hard factors were considered to be the ‘numbers’.

Peters also said in 2001 that other than certain wrong companies highlighted – Atari and Wang for instance – In Search of Excellence ‘absolutely nailed the eight points of the compass for business at that time’ (1982), but that its central flaw was in suggesting that these points would apply for ever, when they most certainly have not.

Peters said finally in his 2001 interview that were he to write In Search of Excellence today, he would not tamper with any of the eight themes, but he would add to them: capabilities concerning ideas, liberation, and speed.

Here is a summary of the ‘In Search of Excellence’ eight themes, which also form the eight chapters of the book.

In Search of Excellence – the eight themes

1. A bias for action, active decision making – ‘getting on with it’.
2. Close to the customer – learning from the people served by the business.
3. Autonomy and entrepreneurship – fostering innovation and nurturing ‘champions’.
4. Productivity through people – treating rank and file employees as a source of quality.
5. Hands-on, value-driven – management philosophy that guides everyday practice – management showing its commitment.
6. Stick to the knitting – stay with the business that you know.
7. Simple form, lean staff – some of the best companies have minimal HQ staff.
8. Simultaneous loose-tight properties – autonomy in shop-floor activities plus centralised values.