| Abstract: | Even in a U. S. economy that is suffering from falling productivity rates, declining market share, and continuing trade balance deficits, some businesses are successful. This article describes some strategies these companies have adopted to stay competitive. What sets the productive companies apart is their ability to shift rapidly to new ways of doing business. In making such transitions, the successful companies recognize that, while machinery and equipment are important factors in winning the race for productivity improvement and global competitiveness, the most important factor is the effort made by human beings. We suggest that since the improvement of human performance is the concern of performance technologists, they should be contributing to the competitiveness of their own and their clients' organization. This article gives examples of innovations that have restored companies to competitiveness and suggests ways that performance technologists can prepare themselves to assist their own companies and clients to introduce similar innovations. |
