At The KPI Institute, our mission is to pursue performance, in all its facets, and bring this knowledge to others who wish to improve both on an individual level and an organizational one. Outstanding employees that strive to lift their company to new heights, maximize its potential and strengthen its development, so that it becomes the best of the best, all the while harnessing this knowledge to better themselves as professionals – these are the people that inspire us.
Join us in our journey of interviewing some of the most extraordinary individuals that continue to make The KPI Institute a role-model for others to follow. In today’s edition, we will be featuring The KPI Institute’s Team of the Quarter from our Global Performance Audit Unit.
1. What was your role within the GPA Unit kick-off team?
Cristina Tarata
,, As Head of Research Programs at The KPI Institute, I was deeply involved in developing the audit methodology that is used to assess the maturity level of organizations. Moreover, aside from my contribution, we also asked subject matter experts for advice in each of the audit’s areas: strategy, performance measurement, performance management, employee performance management and culture.”
Alin Sonda
,, My role was to coordinate, contribute to and keep track of progress of all the activities that supported the launch of the Global Performance Audit Unit. I was involved in shaping the audit methodology, the audit process and the presentation materials. I also had a key role in the development of the online platform dedicated to the audit service delivery – GPAUnit.org.
Andrei Popoviciu
,, I was the Junior Graphic Designer of the GPA Unit team. My responsibilities were to develop the structure of the website, with the help of our Online Platforms Department, and to create the visual identity, which includes the website, banners and other graphical elements.”
2. How did it feel to be nominated and selected as team of the Quarter?
Cristina Tarata
,, When your efforts are recognized at the organizational level by management and your other colleagues, it gives you the positive energy that you need to keep on being focused and motivated. It triggers a strong desire to do more and better next time!”
Alin Sonda
,, It always feels good to receive confirmation that your efforts are acknowledged by management and your colleagues. It feels even better when your efforts are also rewarded.”
Andrei Popoviciu
,, I wasn’t expecting to be nominated, so this made it a little bit more special. I felt like the work we’ve put in was relevant and acknowledged.”
3. What do you find to have been the most challenging part of the project?
Cristina Tarata
,, I must say that as a team, we collaborated very easily and effectively. My challenges were mostly technical, as we needed to create an audit methodology that encompasses the collective know-how of our consultants, of The KPI Institute. We have put in one instrument all the good practices, all the lessons we have learned throughout our 12 years of experience in the market. Covering all the important aspects of a state-of-the-art integrated performance management system, while ensuring it is a time effective and easy to use tool was quite difficult, given that we had to also map the criteria for each stage in the maturity cycle.”
Alin Sonda
,, I think the most challenging part was listening to, considering and putting together everyone’s points of view on the subject at hand, as well as making sure that management agrees with the outcomes and supports us every step of the way. The project required the commitment and contribution of our colleagues that are specialized in research, graphical design, IT, sales, marketing and communication.”
Andrei Popoviciu
,, For me the whole project was a challenge, because it was really complex and we missed some steps in creating the website, so we had to adapt and solve the design problems as fast as possible. If I would have to choose only one part, the most challenging one was to create the website blocks, so we could use them in different ways.”
4. What would be the three main lessons learnt from this project?
Cristina Tarata
,, Your product is as good as your client thinks it is – meaning that testing is very important, there will always be scenarios that you will fail to anticipate, therefore testing the product on 2-3 real case scenarios is vital in order to create a useful product or service.
Focus – if you want a high quality product, in a relatively short period of time, you have to learn how to focus. You have to be able to avoid getting sucked in other activities, as well as being able to concentrate effectively for a longer time period on the same project.
Everyone has to be on the same page – all team members, regardless of their role (marketing, research, graphic design or sales) have to have the same level of understanding of the product or service. To create synergies between the sales force and R&D, it is vital to share a common perspective on the usage, benefits, purpose and identity of the product/service.”
Alin Sonda
,, Clearly assign tasks and constantly track progress. Project management skills are vital in assuring the success of any project. Work hard but smart, to achieve your goals and not lose control (or your mind) in the process.
Ask for and give feedback. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude towards the ideas and opinions of those involved in the project and they will be happy to share their thoughts and come up with valuable insights.
We are all in the same boat. Enforce the fact that the success of the project relies on the effort and commitment of all those involved, while the benefits are granted to the people that delivered in accordance to and above expectations.”
Andrei Popoviciu
,, Ask questions and listen carefully. I find it really important to ask questions and listen carefully when it comes to design, because it’s important to get all the input and clarify any kind of unclear information.
Get out of your comfort zone. If you don’t get out of your comfort zone, you don’t develop yourself.
Deliver in time. The last one is delivery in time, because time is one of the most important assets in every business, so in order to be good, you need to be able to deliver in a specific timeframe.”
We would also like to congratulate the forth member of the GPA Unit team, Andrea Dinu. Even though she is working now on a different project, Andrea took up the role of Head of Online Platforms: from website wireframe and page creation, to establishing each page’s structure & items, as well as making sure User Experience is at the best level, she undertook the task of creating an online presence for the GPA Unit.
Moreover, she played the part of Project Manager as well, given that she maintained the main communication channel between The KPI Institute and our partnering IT specialists, BitStone.
