RACE for Performance Excellence is a private sector non-profit organization driven by the efforts of volunteers dedicated to helping Rhode Island businesses to profit and grow using the Criteria for Performance Excellence. RACE’s Mission is to be the catalyst that enables Rhode Island businesses and organizations to achieve and sustain World Class Performance Excellence by providing a disciplined framework for improving their competitive positions and financial results.
Brian Knight, Executive Director of RACE, indicated that organizations committed to the principles of performance excellence will not only see improved financial results but a complete change in their culture and the way in which a company does business, externally as well as internally.
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RACE’s program is based on the Baldrige National Quality Program Criteria for Performance Excellence. The Criteria are built upon a set of core values and concepts. These values and concepts are the foundation for integrating key business requirements within a results oriented framework. They are:
Customer Driven Quality
Leadership
Continuous Improvement and Learning
Valuing Employees
Fast Responses
Design Quality and Prevention
Long-Range View of the Future
Management by Fact
Partnership Development
Public Responsibility and Citizenship
Results Focus
The core values and concepts are embodied in the seven Criteria for Performance Excellence:
Leadership
Strategic Planning
Customer and Market Focus
Information & Analysis
Human Resource Focus
Process Management
Business Results
The Criteria represent a common language, making it easier for companies to share knowledge and transfer best practices. The Criteria reflect validated leading-edge management practices against which a company can measure itself.
Knight stated that in order to accomplish its Mission, RACE has established a menu of services and has partnered with the University of Rhode Island in successfully launching a unique course, ìThe Journey to Performance Excellence.î Mr. Knight explained that their products/services are broken down into three areas:
Education
Advisory
Recognition
He noted that under Education that they not only offer the course, “The Journey to Performance Excellence” at URI, but also sponsor a monthly Breakfast of Champions, allowing business leaders to meet with their peers and learn how performance strategies and practices have contributed to their successes. They also have a Speakers Bureau that provides motivating presentations to professional organizations on the subject of Performance Excellence and what it can do for businesses and the impact that it can have on the Rhode Island economy. RACE publishes a Quarterly Newsletter, keeping the business community abreast of the latest development in Performance Excellence.
Under Advisory, RACE provides a unique product, “The Performance Excellence Self-Assessment”. This tool provides a company with a benchmark to world class standards and provides a starting point for their Journey”. RACE then works with that organization in the development of an Action Plan for the deployment of the Continuous Improvement process. In that RACE is membership driven it provides a unrivaled network of companies and organizations to mentor with those companies just starting or simply contemplating the process.
For Recognition, RACE is responsible for the administration of the Rhode Island Quality Award Program. This program is based on the National Malcolm Baldrige Award and provides Rhode Island companies a stepping stone for national recognition. The Rhode Island program celebrates business excellence in Rhode Island and epitomizes the performance excellence practices in our state and recognizes companies of all sizes, types and sectors.
Knight further stated that the process is not a quick fix, and it is not easy, however the long-term rewards are endless. For those Rhode Island manufacturers, service providers, and organizations that have embraced the concepts of Performance Excellence the rewards are being reaped. Brian invites you to contact RACE and learn more what Performance Excellence can mean to you and your company. Contact RACE at (401) 454-3030.
