RAISING THE BAR
Thriving by Continuous Improvement

A One-Day Introduction to Performance Excellence

Explore and Learn About:
Raising the Bar is a one-day introduction to Performance Excellence, the first step on the Journey to Performance Excellence. It provides an overview of the Organizational Profile, Criteria for Performance Excellence and Core Values that are the basis of an effective management system that will drive performance improvement. The class will include lecture, group discussion, and exercises covering:

Core Values to Achieve Performance Excellence
Integrated Management System for Performance Excellence
Importance of Beginning with your Organizational Profile
Criteria for Performance Excellence Framework
Self-Assessment Options for Organizational Performance
Practical Applications of the Performance Excellence Criteria with local and national organizations

Who Should Attend
Anyone interested in improving the performance of their organization

Registration Fee
VCQ Member* Fee:.................................$225.00 per person
Non-Member Fee:....................................$275.00 per person
**VT Training Program Grants:.............$125.00 per person

*Click here for Membership information

**Grants and scholarships are available to Vermont organizations for the industries in health care, manufacturing, IT, telecom, and environmental through a partnership with the VT Training Program at the Department of Economic Development. Full scholarships are limited. Register early. Contact VCQ at 802-655-1910 to learn about the new eligibility requirements for the VT Training Program Grants.

Call VCQ at 802-655-1910 to sign up for a Raising the Bar workshop at your organization.

Cancellation Policy
Registration fees must be paid on or before the workshop date. Fees cover course materials, continental breakfast and lunch. Registration fees will be credited 90% for cancellations made 3 business days prior to the workshop. Within 3 business days of the workshop, only substitutions will be accepted. No-shows will be charged the full registration fee. Classes may be cancelled if there are less than 6 people. If this does occur, you will be contacted one week prior to the class to reschedule.

Results

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (VCQ’s 2007 Governor’s Award Recipient) is the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, providing coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters. It employs over 350 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and its full-service field office in Williston, and has offered group and individual health plans to Vermonters for more than 60 years. With a strong focus on performance improvement, BCBSVT has gone from a lagging service organization to one of the best health plans in the country. BCBSVT has been recognized as a leader in the state and nationally for its community leadership (AHIP Community Leadership Award), quality of care and service (U.S. News and World Report/NCQA’s Top 50 Health Plans) and the quality of its workplace (Vermont “Best Places to Work” in 2006 and 2007 and the Governor’s Award for Worksite Wellness).
VA Medical & Regional Office Center in White River Junction, VT, recipient of the 2003 Vermont Governor's Award for Performance Excellence, is a 60-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the Dartmouth Medical School and the University of Vermont College of Medicine, as well as numerous other nursing and allied health programs. Through quality-minded leadership, a culture of continuous improvement, and dedicated staff who maintain a strong focus on patient satisfaction, the hospital has achieved role model practices and results in the key categories of the Performance Excellence Criteria, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Employee turnover rate continues to be below 10%. "All employee" satisfaction surpasses VA New England and national VA averages in many key areas.
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, recipient of the 2001 Deane C. Davis Award, 2000 Vermont Governor's Award for Performance Excellence and 2000 Vermont U.S. Senate Productivity Award, is a full service telecommunications provider in Waitsfield, VT. Customer retention increased by focusing on exceeding customer expectations. By providing advanced telecommunications to the Mad River/Champlain Valley region, revenues have increased steadily over a five year period. Employees receive specialized training to better serve the customer.
Vermont Office of Child Support, recipient of the 2004 & 2000 Vermont Achievement Award, 2000 Vermont U.S. Senate Productivity Award, and 2008, 2006, 2002, and 1998 Commitment Award. In Federal Fiscal Year 2006, child support was collected on 85% of Vermont cases versus the national average of 77%.
Rhino Foods, Inc., recipient of the 2002 Excellence in Action Award, and 2002 & 2003 Commitment Award. The Employee Exchange Program best practice contributed to a substantial annual savings. Additional savings were noted in unemployment insurance taxes, training costs, production inefficiency, and recruiting and hiring costs.

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Photo provided by Adam Kurth

RAISING THE BAR Thriving by Continuous Improvement

A One-Day Introduction to Performance Excellence

RAISING THE BAR
Thriving by Continuous Improvement