Author Archives: blogger

Ten Enterprise Performance Management Best Practices – Executing Phase

This article continues where we left off discussing the 11 performance management best practices in the planning phase of the Lifecycle Performance Management Model. The Lifecycle Performance Management Model is an enterprise framework that is centered on 35 best practices. These best practices span across the five phases of the performance life-cycle: defining, planning, executing, monitoring and reporting. This article is the third of a series of five discussing the performance management best practices within Lifecycle Performance Management, and will focus on the executing phase.

The executing phase best practices involve implementing the planned activities outlined in the defining and planning phases. This is where we develop metrics, align performance to organizational objectives, identify cross-functional processes, and integrate data. During the executing phase the performance management team must maintain a climate of open communication with business unit liaisons and executive management, as this is where executive goals are transformed into action.

1. Employee Performance Management

Employee Performance Management is the systematic process by which an organization involves its employees, as individuals and members of a group, in improving organizational effectiveness in the accomplishment of agency mission and goals. The Employee Performance Management process includes planning work and setting expectations, continually monitoring performance, developing the capacity to perform, periodically rating performance in a summary fashion, and rewarding good performance. Functions within employee performance management are recruit and hire management, compensation management, incentive management, goals management, learning management, competency management and performance measurement.

2. Information Services Performance Management

Information Services Performance Management is the practice of measuring and monitoring information systems and services and aligning them to organizational goals and objectives. Information Services Performance Management involves supporting employees and customers, aligning business unit objectives to system capabilities and performance, communicating IT planning and performance data in a way that is useful to business unit management, and adapting to growing complexities and constant change.

3. Process Management

Process Management is a series of actions taken to identify, analyze and improve existing processes within an organization to meet new goals and objectives. Process Management involves identifying key business processes and aligning the results of these processes with the strategic goals. Lifecycle Process Management consists of baselining the current environment, identifying critical success factors, redesigning inefficient or ineffective processes, automating processes, identifying process metrics, and training employees on cross functional process.

4. Data Integration Management

Data Integration Management is the practice of gaining business value from information assets through the effective use of data management technologies and best practices. Key components of Data Integration Management include data integration, data quality, database management systems, data warehousing and enterprise information management. Data Integration Management enables an organization to secure a single, accurate, corporate view of key information.

5. Performance Metrics Management

Performance Metrics Management is the process of identifying quantifiable, results-driven metrics that enable informed decision making and encourages improved service delivery. Performance Metrics Management involves understanding the business and complexities of the organization, focusing on the desired outcomes, involving all participants for consensus and buy-in, ensuring that formulas and logic are valid, and storing performance results in a centralized location for easy access.

6. Performance Alignment Management

Performance Alignment Management facilitates the translation of business and functional priorities into strategy. Performance alignment consists of aligning corporate strategy to four areas: division/departmental, workforce, financial and resources. Ultimately, Performance Alignment Management develops a performance strategy that feeds strategic alignment, reflects organizational priorities, and leads to successful execution of organizational goals and objectives.

7. Cross-functional Process Management

Cross-functional Process Management is the process of breaking down functional siloed thinking and building the organization around core processes rather than specific functional areas. Cross-functional Process Management focuses on those major processes which require support from multiple functional support groups. Ultimately, a well managed cross functional process enables performance tracking throughout each of the functional “hand offs” and weak points within a major process are identified and corrected.

8. Systems Management

Systems management is an automated event management system that proactively and reactively notifies system operators of failures, capacity issues, traffic issues, virus attacks and other transient events. The tools allow monitoring of system status, performance indicators, thresholds, notification of users, and dispatch of trouble tickets. Systems Management provides optimal system performance, quicker resolution of problems, and minimizes failures. Automated solutions are used in support of distributed computing operations processes and policies for performance and failure detection and correction, as well as optimization.

9. Change Management

Change management is the procedure, policies, and tools established to monitor organizational assets to assure that unauthorized changes are not being implemented. It also affirms that a database of changes is available so that changes can be easily recognized during troubleshooting activities

10. Procurement Management

Procurement Management is a set of policies and procedures to manage the procurement process. Procurement Management does not necessarily designate that all procurement personnel are centralized in a single location; rather it involves the development of a common set of procurement policies and operating procedures, pooling of information about requests, vendor contracts, asset data, industry information, and qualified procurement skills to ensure the pieces required to get a cost effective deal are properly considered. As well, centralized procurement assures that standardization rules are in compliance.

About Victor Holman

Victor Holman is a business performance and growth strategy coach, consultant, international speaker, entrepreneur and creator of the Business Performance Portal. He has provided his expertise to over 50 government agencies worldwide and hundreds of corporations of all sizes. His goal is to help small businesses outperform their competition by applying business growth strategies and assessment tools that work for large, successful businesses.

He provides business consulting for small and large size organizations, business coaching, team performance workshops, and in-depth on-site business assessments for business owners trying to take their business to the next level. His highly acclaimed Insider’s Secrets Club delivers fast, simple, easy to implement strategies for growing your business fast!

You can access his FREE business assessment tools, business management kits, business training programs, videos, templates, and more at http://www.lifecycle-performance-pros.com

Kpo Travel Services In India

Knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) is a form of outsourcing, including legal process outsourcing. These are both high-value-added forms of business process outsourcing (BPO). KPO firms provide domain-based processes and business expertise, rather than just process expertise, and actually make many low level business decisions – typically those that are easily undone if they conflict with higher-level business plans.

KPO is one step ahead of Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO). BPO industry turning into Knowledge Process Outsourcing. KPO Industry handling more high skilled work than BPO Industry. KPO helps companies to create huge business opportunities. KPO firms provide domain-based processes and business expertise, rather than just process expertise. Intellectual Property Research, Pharmaceuticals Services, Medical Content & Services and Writing Services are typical KPO Services. In today’s generation KPO has lead in outsourcing business. KPO service providers also face various challenges. The Knowledge Process Outsourcing is becoming the high valuable interests of companies for their business strategies and protection. KPO services can reduce design times, manage hardware efficiently and provide research on markets thereby helping in informed-decision making.

KPO or knowledge process outsourcing can be termed as high value added forms of business process outsourcing or BPO. Unlike random customer service or handling of low end inbound and outbound calls KPO firms deliver high end domain specific processes and business expertise. It may include research and work on intellectual property, equity and finance, market analysis, database management etc. In fact on a broad sense, it can include white collar jobs from any and every industry. Be it media outsourcing, legal process outsourcing (LPO), a KPO can be set up in any near shore or offshore center on any given industry and vertical.

I have included some KPO services that are outsourcable:
*Research, Development & Analysis
*Business and Technical Analysis
*E-Learning Solutions
*Cartoon Animation & Design
*Business Management & Market Research (Qualitative and Quantitative)
*Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Healthcare
*Medical Services
*Writing & Content Development
*Legal Services or Legal Process Outsourcing
*Media Outsourcing
*Intellectual Property (IP) Research
*Data Analytics
*Logistics and Data Warehousing Analysis
*Network Management
*Corporate Training & Consultancy

The major benefits of the KPO outsourcing services are described below.
*Cost reductions.
*Standard operational efficiency.
*Expert man-power.
*Time Saving.
*Profit Increments.
*Large man-power without raising costs.

How KPOs can innovate
KPOs can go a step further than standardized processes. They can define quality for highly subjective and judgmental processes (output) and create systems to check. For instance, Integreon has a concept to measure output and define efficiency: the EWU (Equivalent Work Unit). Industrializing processes will not be enough; companies must standardize complex processes to achieve scale. Complex analysis requires not just domain experience, but more importantly, domain expertise. For this, companies can provide training programs for complex skill sets and establish high professional standards. Given the regulatory-sensitive nature of the information that flows into KPOs, employee due diligence, and security and confidentiality practices should be mandatory.

Pond Fountains in Lafayette, Louisiana

Living Water Aeration | Pond Fountains in Lafayette, Louisiana

Living Water Aeration
3714 Hwy 343
Maurice, LA 70555
1-888-775-2402 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting1-888-775-2402end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting1-888-775-2402end_of_the_skype_highlighting
http://www.livingwateraeration.com/

To avoid most maintenance problems with ponds and fountains, you need to do it right the first time. That means you’ll need to do your homework about the environment in which you’ll build your pond and install your pond fountain. “Think of a pond as a big aquarium,” says Steve Springer, president of the Waterscapes division of OASE in Camarillo, California. “The major and critical aspect of creating and maintaining a pond is protecting the biological balance of everything in it.” You will be creating an ecosystem, and everything that goes into it must maintain that environment.

“The key to maintaining your pond is the water factor. Installing and maintaining pond aeration and water cleaning equipment, and adding the appropriate bacteria will keep the pond environment stable and healthy for the plants and fish you want to put there. It takes time to get the proper water balance, usually about 6-8 weeks for a brand new pond,” says Springer.

Maintenance calls for commercial ponds vary, depending on where you’re located. According to Dirk Rohloff, owner and president of Pacific Water Art, in Mountain View, California, it depends on climate, environment, landscape plants around the pond, and the grading and drainage patterns which affect runoff into the pond. “Each pond or water feature has its own personality; subsequently, some require twice weekly maintenance, others require only once a month,” Rohloff says. Often with large ponds, the water quality can even change from week to week, due to the amount of nutrients in runoff and debris in the water. Some contractors, like Mike Graham, vice president of operations for Landscape Concepts Management in Grayslake, Illinois, offer a weekly contract through the growing season. This allows the contractor to keep an eye on changing conditions.

Before & After

Residential pond maintenance differs from commercial maintenance. According to Michael O’Keefe of Aquatic Landscapes in Dallas, Texas, “The residential pond doesn’t have the same runoff problems as the commercial pond; it doesn’t collect fertilizer and street oils. So a maintenance program is not as intense.”

Nearly all contractors teach residential clients to maintain their own water features, usually by their request. O’Keefe explains that the homeowner enjoys working with his pond almost too much, to the point that sometimes he has to tell him to leave it alone because it’s too clean. Therefore, the majority of maintenance contracts for pond maintenance are for commercial ponds, and it’s a lucrative business.

Pond Problems

Bill Wingo, aquatic biologist and owner of Lone Star Fountains and Magnolia Fisheries in Flower Mound, Texas, says that submersed aquatic weeds and algae present a constant challenge. “The degree of aquatic vegetation growth is a function of water depth, water clarity, weather patterns, and nutrient loading. In addition to being an eyesore, algae clog filters, pump inlets, and other equipment. Silting is accelerated, oxygen levels reduced, and bad odors result,” he says.

The pond’s use and state regulations influence the treatments selected. “Ideally,” Wingo adds, “aquatic plant management should be a combination of methods that work harmoniously with the environment.” There are a number of techniques that help maintain the pond environment. These include pond aeration, filters, controlling runoff, biological methods, and the use of aquatic herbicides.

Pond Aeration

Pond Aeration is a common and effective way to maintain good water quality and kill or prevent the growth of algae. Aerators promote a healthy fish habitat, reduce nutrient problems due to lack of oxygen, reduce odor, and increase decomposition of organic matter.

Two types of aeration are generally used: floating fountains, also called surface aerators, and bottom-diffused aerators. Fountains come in a variety of sizes and spray patterns. Some are even designed to alternate between patterns. While very functional, fountains and aerators also add drama to a landscape, especially when lit at night.

Rodney Bulava, manager of the water feature department for Landscape Concepts Management, says his company uses a variety of aerators. He suggests being cautious with floating fountains alone for putting oxygen back into the water, because he has found they don’t grab the deep water. To counter this, Wingo says, “Fountains can be equipped with suction tube extensions to pull water from greater depths. This enhances mixing and oxygenation of the pond.”

Bottom-diffused aeration systems are the most efficient for providing oxygen flow within a pond, according to Wingo. In very deep ponds, these are not visible as they do their work. They can also be combined with a pond fountain, for aesthetics.

Maintaining Aerators and Fountains

Many maintenance calls for aerators and fountains occur in the aftermath of thunderstorms and after power interruptions, which stop the work of the water-cleaning equipment, says Wingo. Storms blow debris into ponds, which can overtax a filtration system. Plastic bags present special problems, because they tend to clog up the suction screen and restrict water flow to the fountains. Having the proper skimmer, a device that strains the large debris, in place in front of the pump and filter will prevent most clog problems, says Springer. If the debris makes its way into the propeller shaft and locks up the fountain, then the pump may need to be removed and cleaned or repaired. It’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance check after a major storm.

“The quality of the pond denotes whether removal of the fountains and aerators are necessary during our routine maintenance calls,” says Bulava. “We do a minimum of two mid-season calls, and have found that plastic bags are the biggest culprit.” He uses dual intakes to avoid totally plugging up the system.

There are numerous brands of fountains and aerators available, and most offer one to three year warranties. Some manufacturers recommend yearly removal and servicing of the fountain or aerator motor. Others are water-cooled and lubricated, and require no routine service to remain within warranty. Nearly all contractors remove and clean them at least once a year.

Enhancing Water Quality

Providing enough oxygen for the pond environment is one step toward creating the aquarium environment desired. Standard water-quality tests are a good tool to determine the general condition of the pond, Wingo says. These tests look at pond temperatures, pH, alkalinity, hardness, nitrite, and phosphorus in the water. If fish will be added to the pool or pond, these tests will guide you in adjusting the water to sustain fish. These tests are also helpful in gauging the extent of the effects of runoff.

“Filtration systems also help keep the water clean; however, make sure you use ones that are suited to the size pond,” says Springer. Spa filters should never be used for a pond because they are designed to be used with water that does not have very many dissolved particles in it, and is treated with chlorine or bromide. These filters have paper or fiber cartridges that have to be replaced frequently.

Three of the popular types of pond filters are: gravity, pressure, and bio. Gravity filters should be installed where the outlet is higher than the water level. Pressure filters can be buried or camouflaged in a vault. Bio filters are suitable for all pond types, whether there are plants and fish or not. They require little maintenance, because the filter medium is cleaned and reused.

Runoff for large ponds is a problem that not only contributes to an unhealthy pond but can also impact the environment. It can be minimized by some general landscape maintenance techniques. Graham encourages homeowner associations to leave a four to five-foot buffer along the mowing edge. “This reduces erosion and discourages Canadian geese,” he says. Waterfowl can add extra nutrients to the water environment. Graham adds, “We use erosion fabric and plugs of native plants along the shoreline, offering a natural look while growing a natural filter for runoff.”

Tom Fochtman, owner of CoCal Landscape in Denver, Colorado, has his crews clean the primary drain inlets and trickle channels from streets and gutters to restrict oil and grease pollution from streets. They also clean out silt build-up in ditches using manpower or backhoes. And they have reshaped the banks of drain ditches to eliminate trickle channels into their ponds.

To decrease nutrient overload and algae bloom from inorganic fertilizer runoff, Graham uses water-soluble dye to prevent sunlight from penetrating the water. This discourages plant and algae growth. Wingo suggests switching to organic fertilizers for the surrounding lawns. These aren’t so quickly released into the water system after a rain.

Biological Control

The introduction of organically-occurring bacteria, or microbes, to restrict algae growth is a natural way of treating algae. Microbes work by consuming the excess nutrients that algae need to grow. But patience is necessary. This can be difficult for the client who wants instant gratification.

“Since chemicals work right away, the expectations are that microbes work just as quickly,” Wingo says. “Bacteria work slowly, naturally, so we explain to our clients not to expect visible changes in the water for three to four weeks. While chemicals address the symptoms of the problem, microbes address the cause of the problem.”

Aquatic Herbicide Control

If you choose chemical herbicides, there are two different kinds: contact and systemic.

Contact herbicides achieve fast results, but may require multiple treatments during algae bloom season. Additionally, exposure of every part of the target plant is necessary. Systemic herbicides are slower to kill, however they provide seasonal control, and there is no oxygen depletion due to rapid decomposition of vegetation.

Many pond management companies, like Fochtman’s, use a combination of aquatic chemicals, bacteria, and aerator systems to combat algae in the ponds his company maintains. Bill Henkelman, vice president for The Brickman Group, Glendale Heights, Illinois, says his company uses aquatic herbicides or bacterial treatments in combination with aeration techniques.

“California is much tougher than other states on the use of chemicals,” states Rohloff, “You have to report what, where, and how much you’ve added. While aquatic herbicides may be safer than they used to be, we don’t use them unless it’s the last option. We use the addition of bacteria and mechanical filtration systems with commercial-grade sand filters that remove solid products from the water.”

Every state requires, at minimum, a pesticide applicator’s license to apply aquatic chemicals. “Contact your state’s Extension Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, who regulate chemical usage in wetlands,” adds Wingo. “Both of these departments maintain lists of allowable chemicals.”

Pond maintenance can save you headaches, and will also help preserve the aesthetics of the pond or pool you installed, keeping the environment healthy. According to Rohloff, commercial pond maintenance contracts aren’t difficult to sell. “Pond maintenance is profitable,” he says. “You’re not going to get rich, but it’s steady work.”

Living Water Aeration is located in the Lafayette, LA. area. We also offer installation, sales and service to the following towns and areas: Abbeville, Breaux Bridge,Crowley, Eunice, Jeanerette, Jennings, Kaplan, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, Rayne, St. Martinville, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

http://www.livingwateraeration.com/

Call us today for all of your pond needs! 1-888-775-2402

Improve Efficiency Of Your Operations With The Latest Business Management Solutions

In a perpetually changing business environment, companies operating in different industries require scalable solutions that can contribute in increasing the productivity and eliminating any kind of inefficiencies to increase their profitability. Whether you are in the retail industry, hotel industry or restaurant business or any other corporate field, you need solutions that maximize productivity, reduce operational costs and generate quick results. The latest business management solutions can go a long way in ensuring that you achieve all this within your budget. From accounting to sales and property management, everything can be carried out using the right combination of hardware and software systems.

In countries like Australia, it has become very common to see major players of the hospitality industry making use of the latest accounting systems and point of sale solutions to better coordinate their operations. Restaurants, cafes and bars etc. make use of restaurant POS systems as these considerably reduce the man-hours and help in serving fast & accurate orders to customers. Moreover, there are several innovation based companies in Australia that manufacture accounting systems for hotel Point of Sale and motel of sale so that the cash inflows and outflows can be handled with the highest level of accuracy. Not only can the accounting systems Hotel Point Of Sale help in reducing data entry errors but also save considerable amount of time and money.

Today, hotels, resorts & restaurants have the option of getting customized Point of Sale solutions designed for meeting the specific requirements of their businesses. The business solution providers first assess the needs of the hotel or motel in question and then suggest a combination of hardware or software that can best fulfill their requirements depending on the scale of their operations. Apart from the accounting systems and motel point of sale solutions impeccable property management software can prove to be ideal for managing reservations, group bookings and even multiple tariffs. Since the entire process is automated there is no scope of manual errors, missed reservations, double bookings or guest charges.

Even the costs incurred by an in-house guest on accommodation, telephone, at bar or restaurant, and room service can be seamlessly tracked and processed using an accounting system Point of Sale. Using the latest software restaurants or bars in a hotel can instantly transfer the in-house guests costs to their room accounts. Property management software can help in managing Transaction Packages, Multiple rooms per booking, corporate activity tracking, floor plan display, maintenance tracking and even mailing list management. Therefore, if you are an aspiring player of the hospitality industry in Australia, bring the desired amount of efficiency in your operations using the latest business management solutions.

Use Personal Keywords To Magnify Your Time

Hi, I’m Dave Crenshaw, author of the Myth of Multitasking. In the next few minutes, I’m going to share with you a tip about how to better to magnify your time and make yourself more valuable in the market place. And the tip that I’d like to share with you revolves around your personal keywords.

Now, you know what keywords are if you spend any time on the internet. They’re a select set of words that a page focuses on to draw traffic to it. If it has too many words on it, well, the search engines think it’s just talking about anything and it doesn’t have any real power. But pages that are focused on a few keywords, and are focused on providing knowledge to people become very powerful in search engine rankings.

Now, what is that have to do with you and your personal systems and your productivity? Everything.

By focusing on a few keywords, you become a powerful expert in that field and you draw people to you who are interested in those sorts of things, and you make yourself more valuable because you focus on your most valuable pieces of information.

So here are 3 tips to get you started:

Number one: Make a list of the things that you’re good at, and the things that interest you. Over time, pare that list down, to about 3 to 5 select keywords. For instance, in my case, off the top of my head I might say productivity, technology, business management, business development.Those would be keywords that I focus on in gaining knowledge, the magazines that I subscribe to, the books that I read.

And that lead us to step two: go out and seek information related to your personal keywords. Become a student and a scholar of those keywords . Become someone that other people look to as a source of information for those subjects, and you will draw personal traffic to you because they will seek you out for that information.

And number three: filter out unrelated information. Now, that’s not to say that you can’t occasionally read other news articles and enhance your education by looking of lots different sources, but you do want to be careful about the flow of information into your life. Every single one of us right now is bombarded by too much information. So use email filters, be selective about the magazines that you subscribe to and even selective about the books that you read.

Allow yourself to focus on your most valuable subjects and become more valuable in the market place.