Is the golden thread in place?
‘At top performers we found an unbroken link between vision-analysis-systems and people, sometimes dubbed the golden thread.
'To sum up, it’s the right people, doing the right things, at the right time and in the right place. And to meet the efficiency agenda, doing things at the right price too.’
HQN research on improving housing services for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation, 2005
‘In the majority of cases – we estimate 70% – the real problem isn’t bad strategy but… bad execution.’
M Porter in Harvard Business Review
The HQN research was based on an in-depth analysis of three-star performers. Is the golden thread in place in your organisation and is it being executed?
- Does the board have a clear and coherent vision for the organisation? What is it?
- Do members of staff at all levels, residents, and partners, know what the vision is? How do you know?
- What evidence was used in formulating the vision, eg, market analysis, affordability studies, stock condition surveys, customer profiles and satisfaction surveys?
- Are there SMART plans and targets to ensure the vision gets delivered?
- What evidence do you have that the vision is on track? Can you prove it with facts and figures?
- How do you review and refresh the vision? What needs changing?
- Are you proud of your housing organisation? What achievements are you proudest of? Would you be happy to live in one of your homes?
- Does the board make a difference? How would the organisation operate if the board did not exist?
