As 2024 comes to an end, we encouraged The KPI Institute (TKI) employees to reflect on the lessons they have learned and the goals they aim to achieve in 2025, celebrating progress and preparing for a brighter year ahead.

In this article, we feature some of the responses from our dedicated employees as they share their reflections on the year that was and the goals they are setting for the future. May their insights serve as a reminder that, no matter the obstacles, collective strength, creativity, and determination will shape a better tomorrow.

 

 

Daniela Vuta

Head of Publications

 

 

1. What is one skill you developed or improved this year that you’ll carry into the new year?

I consider communication to be one of the most essential skills for a leader. No matter how much one studies this field, there is always room for improvement and refinement. This year, I have concentrated on enhancing my leadership communication skills by cultivating balanced empathy, practicing active listening, demonstrating assertiveness, and effectively resolving conflicts.

2. What strategies or habits helped you overcome challenges this year?

The year 2024 brought its fair share of challenges, which our team successfully overcame. As a leader, I embraced full responsibility and commitment, particularly when external factors disrupted the team. Key elements in supporting our success included effective planning, meticulous attention to detail, and maintaining a comprehensive vision of our operations. 

3. What’s your professional new year’s resolution for 2025?

My aspiration for 2025 is to fully refine and elevate my leadership abilities, with these efforts clearly reflected in the accomplishments of the team I lead. This includes achieving strategic objectives, successfully executing planned initiatives, and, most importantly, making a meaningful and active contribution to the professional growth of each team member.

 

 

Cristina – Elena Craciun

Strategy and Performance Specialist

 

1. What is one skill you developed or improved this year that you’ll carry into the new year?

It’s been a year of constant changes, challenges, and joyful successes. Returning from maternity leave and adding work changes has proven this year to be the year of adaptability.  Today, I am proud to say I am aware of, and I not only accept but cherish changes.

2. What strategies or habits helped you overcome challenges this year?

My best strategy, which I’ve used for years, is not getting stuck. I accept things as they come and move on embracing the future. A good habit I’ve tried to nurture is seeing the good in everything before speaking my mind. Dull, I know, but it is a good exercise connecting mind and heart for a purpose that benefits everyone.

3. What’s your professional new year’s resolution for 2025?

Well, I do wish for a better version of me. Until now, I have wanted to develop knowledge in at least two new subjects and learn new skills in already-known areas. Last, but not least, I aim to improve my online communication skills.

 

 

Len Cristobal

Chief Editor

 

 

1. What is one skill you developed or improved this year that you’ll carry into the new year?

I’ve become more familiar with the basics of data visualization and analysis through the Certified Data Visualization Professional and Certified Data Analysis courses of The KPI Institute. I hope to further apply what I’ve learned, along with insights from external sources, in content development for Performance Magazine and TKI’s platforms and areas where data-driven decisions can help improve performance, streamline processes, and support strategic planning.

2. What strategies or habits helped you overcome challenges this year?

Being more flexible and maintaining open communication. Flexibility helped me adapt quickly when things changed. Open communication kept me aligned with my team and others. By discussing challenges and working together on solutions, we stayed focused and kept moving forward.

3. What’s your professional new year’s resolution for 2025?

Nothing specific comes to mind yet, but for now, approach your work with purpose and positivity, while maintaining openness and discipline.

 

 

Frichette Ann Talania

Junior Business Research Analyst

 

 

1. What is one skill you developed or improved this year that you’ll carry into the new year?

This year, I focused on improving my research skills, particularly in the areas of employee performance, evaluation, and benchmarking—fields that were initially unfamiliar to me.

2. What strategies or habits helped you overcome challenges this year?

I faced the challenge of adapting to new research fields, areas I wasn’t initially familiar with. I made time to learn continuously, whether by reading whatever I could find online or attending meetings with my senior or manager. I also leaned on my senior and other teammates for feedback and collaboration, which gave me new perspectives and helped me improve quickly. Lastly, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable pieces kept me from feeling overwhelmed.

3. What’s your professional new year’s resolution for 2025?

My professional new year’s resolution for 2025 is definitely to be able to work on tasks independently, without needing help from seniors. I don’t aim for a promotion anytime soon, but I want to ensure I fulfill my duties and exceed the expectations of my manager and seniors. Additionally, being able to contribute to other tasks and teams would be great.

 

 

Maryan Hamadeh 

Jr Training Specialist 

 

 

1. What is one skill you developed or improved this year that you’ll carry into the new year?

Besides taking the Certified Training Professional course this year, I have made a great improvement in prioritizing and organizing tasks, working under pressure, and communicating with colleagues. Moreover, my shift to the new position made me more involved in the Instructional Design work instead of merely translating course materials.

2. What strategies or habits helped you overcome challenges this year?

Taking notes, making to-do lists, and using Asana more often has helped me a lot. Furthermore, when working on urgent tasks that have a short deadline, I try to find solutions to organize and submit the tasks on time instead of stressing about the situation.

3. What’s your professional new year’s resolution for 2025?

I currently don’t have resolutions for 2025 as this year has been stressful for me, but I do wish that I keep working at the same pace and try to grow in the company.

Uncertainty may continue to be a part of our journey as we step into 2025. But one thing remains clear: TKI is here to assist and support you through whatever challenges lie ahead. Together, let’s embrace change, navigate challenges, and continue to move forward with a shared commitment to excellence and growth. 

Stay connected with TKI for updates, insights, and support throughout the year by following The KPI Institute on LinkedIn. Join the conversation, engage with our community, and be part of the journey!

Performance Magazine, the business publication of The KPI Institute, has partnered with the Global Performance Audit (GPA) Unit to release the Business Excellence Edition. This comprehensive resource explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools for refining performance management systems, optimizing organizational capabilities, and achieving sustainable growth.

Drawing on The KPI Institute’s over 20 years of expertise as a global leader in performance management research and education, this edition showcases the GPA Unit’s maturity model frameworks. These globally recognized tools provide structured methods for evaluating and enhancing key performance areas, forming the foundation of the issue’s actionable insights.

The cover story, “Closing the Strategy-Execution Gap: A Fundamental Step for Business Excellence” by Cristina Mihăiloaie, highlights the importance of aligning processes, principles, and people to overcome critical challenges in strategy execution. This alignment is presented as a cornerstone of achieving long-term success.

The In-Depth section examines core themes like strategic planning, performance measurement, and fostering a performance-driven culture. Featured articles include:

• “Enhancing Organizational Success: Best Practices for Strategic Planning” by Daniela Vuta, Kirolos Wassef, and Cristina Mihăiloaie
• “Performance Measurement: The Core Pillar of Performance Management” by Cristina Mihăiloaie
• “The Role of Maturity Assessments and the GPA Unit’s Proprietary Framework” by Doina Popovici
• “Building a Performance-Driven Culture: The Silent Forces Behind Meaningful Results” by Andra-Teodora Gorski
• “Understanding the Impact of Continuous Engagement on Employee Performance Management” by Silvana Badita and Doina Popovici

Meanwhile, expert interviews provide additional perspectives, featuring insights from industry leaders on strategies to navigate market shifts, implement advanced metrics, and build cultures of continuous improvement. Real-world success stories demonstrate how organizations have utilized the GPA Unit’s maturity assessments to enhance agility, decision-making, and resilience.

A new section called At the Core was introduced in this edition to tackle fundamental concepts in strategy and performance management. The articles include “The Five Levels of Organizational Maturity From a Performance Management Perspective” and “How to Conduct a Strategy and Performance Management System Maturity Assessment.”

With its emphasis on practical guidance and industry expertise, Performance Magazine serves as a valuable resource for executives, managers, and professionals striving for business excellence.

The digital version of Performance Magazine’s Business Excellence Edition will be available soon for free on the TKI Marketplace, while the print version can be purchased now on Amazon.

In its third year, the Government Services Index (GSI), published by The KPI Institute (TKI), continues its mission to contribute to the improvement of government service delivery standards worldwide, providing a comprehensive evaluation framework to enhance efficiency and service quality for citizens. 

The GSI 2024 aims to serve as a vital tool for policymakers by providing a benchmark for assessing public service performance across countries and offering insights into service delivery strengths and weaknesses, thereby guiding better decision-making. Researchers can also benefit from its comprehensive data for further studies. By highlighting top performers and identifying areas for improvement, it encourages governments to adopt innovative practices and prioritize citizen-centric approaches.

The Index not only highlights top-performing nations in each region and dimension but also reflects a meticulous development process to ensure its rigor and reliability. Extensive research involved analyzing over 100 scholarly articles and 40 global indices to identify critical areas of public service quality. Additionally, a comprehensive review of more than 900 indicators was conducted to select the most relevant and credible measures. By aligning the GSI with internationally recognized indicators, it provides a robust framework for comparing government services across diverse regions. 

Key dimensions of the GSI 2024

Covering 122 countries–expanding from 107 countries in the GSI 2023–across five world regions: America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East, the GSI 2024 incorporates data from 30 carefully chosen indicators aligned with its five key dimensions: 

• Future Readiness – the capability of government entities and institutions to adjust, innovate, and efficiently respond to the changing demands and challenges of future societies
• Digitalization – the significance of leveraging technology and transforming how citizens engage with public services
• Governance – fulfilling the government’s responsibility to create and execute policies that foster national development while upholding efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and integrity
• Society Welfare – the government’s initiatives to minimize inequalities and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities through various programs and policies
• Citizen Experience – the combination of interactions, perceptions, and experiences citizens have when engaging with government entities, including online platforms, in-person services, representative dealings, and civic participation

With its global reach and comprehensive methodology, the index empowers governments to enhance their services, ensuring they meet the dynamic needs of citizens in an ever-changing world by diving into the current performance of governments worldwide and providing a forward-looking assessment of their preparedness to tackle the challenges of 2025 and beyond.

Where do governments stand today?

In an era of rapid transformation driven by new technologies, emerging trends, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), governments worldwide are in continuous navigation of adapting to changes to deliver high-quality public services since societal needs are evolving as well. In the 2024 GSI, let’s explore a bit how governments are performing currently.

The Government Services Index (GSI) recognizes Finland, Denmark, and Singapore as the top three performers across five key dimensions of public service delivery, the same top-performing countries as in the GSI 2023. These countries are all classified as high-income, with two located in Europe and one in Asia and Oceania.

Finland ranks first globally in Governance (95.77) and Citizen Experience (96.31), while Singapore is the leader in Future Readiness (86.99). Denmark, though not ranking first in any specific area, excels in Digitalization (90.23) and Governance (95.70), securing second place in both. All three countries exceeded global and regional averages, with improved scores compared to the previous year.

The success of these nations can be attributed to their effective governance, advanced digitalization efforts, and comprehensive social policies. Citizens in these countries express strong confidence in their government’s ability to foster prosperity and improve well-being.

Finland is renowned for its transparent and inclusive governance that provides high-quality services, supporting employment, safety, and overall quality of life. The country’s focus on digitalization has minimized bureaucratic hurdles, which enables self-service and fostering a connected society. Furthermore, Finland upholds a human rights-centered foreign policy that promotes equality and prevents exclusion.

Offering efficient public services through advanced digital administration, Denmark stands out for its commitment to digitalization. Its government’s emphasis on digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, along with strategies that encourage democratic engagement and social inclusion, strengthens public service performance. Moreover, Denmark’s universal welfare model ensures equal access to essential services, effectively reducing inequality.

Singapore is recognized for its strategic planning and forward-thinking approach. The government prioritizes adaptability, introducing new policies to improve resilience. By investing in sustainability, digitalization, and future-ready skills, Singapore is capitalizing on growth opportunities and preparing its citizens for the future. The country’s citizen-centric governance ensures high-quality services and increasingly fosters active citizen participation.

To learn more about the detailed rankings, trends, and strategies shaping the future of government services, download the full free digital copy of the Government Services Index 2024 through the TKI Marketplace. An additional printed copy can be also purchased via Amazon. Get the report today!

The KPI Institute launched a series of free infographics called KPI of the Month to offer insights into the practical application of KPIs. Each infographic focuses on a particular key performance indicator (KPI) that provides explanations of terminology and addresses key challenges related to its use. The monthly infographics include definition, calculation, balanced scorecard focus, data profile, targets, and practical recommendations. 

Throughout the year, we have diligently tracked performance and growth, culminating in this comprehensive review of Quarterly KPI highlights. As we dive into the 2024 last quarter’s key metrics— % Expansion revenue, # Focus time, and $ Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)—these insights may offer valuable guidance for shaping strategies, improving productivity, and driving financial success in the year ahead. 

As you set your sights on 2025, these KPIs offer actionable insights for optimizing performance across various business areas. Whether refining customer engagement strategies, enhancing operational efficiency, or boosting financial outcomes, understanding and leveraging these metrics can help start the new year on the right foot and position your organization for continued success. So, let’s take a closer look at each of these metrics.

KPI of October: % Expansion revenue – This indicator measures revenue from upselling and cross-selling to current customers, relative to total revenue for the reporting period. Its purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for increasing customer spending. For more details about this indicator, download the free poster via TKI Marketplace. 

KPI of November: # Focus time – This indicator measures the duration employees can maintain focus on critical work tasks without distractions to assess and optimize workflows, ensuring they foster greater efficiency and higher-quality results. How can organizations help employees improve # Focus time? One of the best practices is to encourage designated “no meeting” periods to allow for focused, uninterrupted work. Access more insights into this indicator by getting a free copy of the poster via TKI Marketplace.

KPI of December: $ Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) – This indicator “measures a company’s operational profitability, before accounting for interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization costs.” Its purpose is to evaluate financial stability and operational effectiveness. To learn more about how to utilize this metric and its practical applications, get a free copy of the poster from TKI Marketplace.

This holiday season, unwrap a wealth of knowledge and expand your understanding of KPIs with a treasure trove of examples from various industries and functions. Explore the world’s largest database of KPIs and customizable dashboards—visit smartKPIs.com today and gift your business the insights it needs for success in the new year!