Balanced scorecard success stories

by

Sam Miller

What is balanced scorecard? The balanced scorecard is a form of strategic planning and management system which is used extensively around the world in business, industry, NPO, government organizations alike. The major reason for the use of this strategic planning system is to align the activities of the business along with the strategy and vision of the organization and improving the internal as well as external communication allowing effective monitoring of the organizational strategic goals.

The balanced scorecard strategy was originated by Dr. Robert Kaplan of the Harvard Business School and David Norton as a form of performance measurement that would add strategic non-financial performance measures together with the long-established financial metrics for giving managers and executives a balanced view of where the organization stands and which area is its strong point and what are its weaknesses.

If you talk about Balanced scorecard success stories, the list is almost endless. Since this strategy was first introduced as an effective system of performance measurement, organizations, whether big or small, have used it to great effect for the purpose of measuring their performance and improve the organization as a whole.

The Balanced scorecard success stories have evolved from using it simply as a measurement of performance to a full strategic planning and measurement system analyzing and influence every part of the business. What make the Balanced scorecard success stories set apart is the fact they have actually used this strategy not just in its traditional form, but have moved a step ahead in using balanced scorecard as one of the major instruments that drive the success and failure of the organization and determining how the business need to change keeping in view the balancing act. All this make up Balanced scorecard success stories.

The new form of balanced scorecard today transforms the strategic plan of an organization from an active on to daily marching orders. If gives the basis for not only performance measurement, but also helps in identifying what should be done by the company and how the success would be measured and therefore enabling the executives to take complete control of their strategies.

The balanced scorecard involves the learning and growth perspective, the business process perspective, the customer perspective and the financial perspective. When an organization is able to balance all the above perspectives in line with the goals and objectives it has set for itself, then it truly becomes yet another of so many Balanced scorecard success stories to be found all around the world.

Defense Financial Accounting Service (DFAS), Federal Aviation Administration Logistics Center, Department of Energy Federal Procurement System, Department of Energy Federal Personal Property Management are some of the Balanced scorecard success stories within the government. These organizations have successfully implemented the balanced scorecard strategic and planning system to take their respective organizations to new height making them effective, efficient and move toward their organizational objectives.

In commercial concerns, the biggest Balanced scorecard success stories have been the airline industry and the credit card companies.

Balanced scorecard allows businesses to keep in check all the aspects that are necessary for the effective functioning of a business.

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Balanced scorecard success stories

By Craig Elliott-

Disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. Recovering from disasters can be a major task, especially if not handled properly. Chaos and confusion generally rule the day. The need for organization is critical and everyone wants to return to some semblance of “normal” life. It doesn’t matter whether it is a small, local disaster or a major, national scale event. The goal is the same; get back to some form of normalcy as quickly as possible.

Disasters do not need to be major in scale to disrupt daily life. A fire is a disaster that may affect only one family. A tornado may impact one town. These are still disasters by definition and a period of recovery must take place. Usually, the recovery effort for small-scale disasters is local in nature. Volunteer organizations such as Red Cross and the Salvation Army will often help with local disaster recovery efforts. Religious and other community-based groups will usually step in and also help with these efforts. Much of the recovery work falls on the shoulders of the victims and their immediate friends and families. The individual insurances are often the sole financial help.

Larger disasters, on the state and regional levels, usually involve several agencies that assist with the recovery efforts. Local, state, and many times, federal, agencies all have a hand in the clean up and recovery. Resources may be made available to assist individuals and businesses with their recovery. Federal money can be requested in larger disasters. Shelters and alternative housing are often set up to help those displaced from their homes.

Local and state agencies have plans in place to minimize damage and loss of services from a disaster, no matter what scale. Part of that plan includes beginning disaster recovery efforts as soon as possible. Delays in recovery work can lead to additional destruction. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf States, the recovery effort was started as quickly as possible. However, due to the immense scale of the disaster, many areas could not be reached immediately and many homes and businesses had to be torn down due to the growth of dangerous molds and bacteria. The sooner recovery work can begin the better chance that homes and businesses can be saved.

Individuals involved in a disaster, whether local or large-scale, must rely on their insurance to cover the major costs of repair or rebuilding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal government are not insurance programs for individuals. In larger emergencies they may help out by bringing the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) loan programs into play. This allows individuals to secure low or no-interest loans to help with repairs.

Small businesses are often treated as individuals in disaster recovery. The SBA offers loans to help rebuild the business and get operations moving again. Other loans and grants may be available, depending on the scale of the disaster and programs involved. The individual state may offer low and no interest loans and grants as well. The goal of these programs is to get businesses back up and running as quickly as possible to serve the communities and help workers get back to their wage earning positions. This helps individuals in their recovery efforts as well.

Governmental agencies and services will receive the bulk of federal monies. They are tasked with serving the community throughout and after the disaster. They are often without necessary equipment or supplies and this must be taken care of quickly to ensure continued operations. Federal money may also be channeled through local governments in the form of grants and federal assistance programs. This money may directly, and indirectly, benefit the individual citizen.

There are many companies that specialize in disaster recovery plans for businesses either consulting or the actual disaster recovery work. They help companies develop plans for safeguarding important data and information during a disaster. They also work with companies after a disaster to recover and get back on their feet. Any disaster can cause the loss of valuable information, hardware and software for a business. This must be recovered in order to continue operations as before. Sometimes it can be saved and reused; often it must be repaired or replaced.

The main goal of disaster recovery is to get individuals and businesses back on their feet and back to normal as quickly as possible. The transition will never be smooth, but it should be well planned and organized. Many outside organizations may be available to help out, although it is important for the individual citizen or business to have a plan in place for recovering from a disaster. This should include adequate insurance to cover losses and a plan for operations during the recovery effort. Recovery of important data for a business may require assistance from an outside company that specializes in disaster recovery. The most important aspect of disaster recovery is having a plan in place before disaster strikes.

About the Author: Craig Elliott is a freelance writer who writes about topics concerning planning, safety preparedness and demonstrations for emergency response such as

efilmgroup.com/Safety

Training Videos | Terrorism Response Videos

Source:

isnare.com

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byAlma Abell

There was a time when energy costs in Hawaii were higher than many other areas of the country, but solar energy has changed that picture. Several years ago residents began to harness the sun’s power to create renewable energy, and today it is very common to see a Solar Photovoltaic System in Hawaii, as more residents choose eco-friendly, affordable solutions.

Solar Solutions Are Economical

When solar energy was first introduced it was often too expensive for the average homeowner. However, as technology advanced and providers became more efficient, equipment and installation costs have gone down and now it is typical for a new home to include a Solar Photovoltaic System in Hawaii. Experts such as The Sonshine Solar Corp can provide equipment that allows homeowners to harness the sun’s power to produce all of their home’s electric. They offer solar hot water heaters, too. It has been estimated that customers reduce utility bills up to 50% with natural energy. They reduce water heating costs by up to 90%. Installation of renewable energy equipment entitles customers to State and Federal Tax credits. Their savings and rebates make conversion cheap enough to pay for new equipment in a fairly short time.

Solar Solutions Help Save the Earth

When fossil fuels like oil are used to create energy, they generate tons of pollution every year. Energy professionals estimate that an average home consisting of four people emits about eight tons of carbon dioxide per year. That is almost twice what their car produces. However, the renewable energy created from the sun helps keep the air clean and fresh and conserves natural resources.

Solar Solutions Are Reliable

Now that many companies have had years of experience perfecting solar equipment, providers can offer reliable products that last a lifetime. Technicians are now experienced with the latest technology and can offer clients a variety of money-and-earth-saving energy options. Many Hawaiian solar experts have become respected members of their communities and residents now rely on them for quality solutions.

Solar energy is popular in Hawaii because it helps save the environment while saving customers money. In addition installers can now offer customers a variety of solar solutions and provide quality equipment at affordable prices.