To Accomplish 20 Times as Much, Start by Understanding the Value of Measuring Performance - by Donald Mitchell

To Accomplish 20 Times as Much, Start by Understanding the Value of Measuring Performance - by Donald Mitchell: "Measurements Help Erase Complacency

Most people view the measuring process too narrowly. Here's an example: A corporate planner went to a seminar given by corporate strategist Peter Drucker. The planner asked Drucker to pick the best single measure of corporate performance. Drucker replied, 'My dear sir, you obviously know nothing. There is no single measure of corporate performance that is any good. Use them all and try to develop new ones, and each will teach you something you need to know.' Drucker's point was that measurements are highly subjective and imperfect. Would-be stallbusters are going to need many more measures.

I'd Rather Not Know That!

One CEO tells another Peter Drucker story about measurements that may fit you. Drucker had presented a seminar on personal improvement to the CEO's U.S. Air Force group years earlier. Each man was instructed to measure in great detail how he spent his time for a week. The CEO found this task to be a life-changing experience. The measurements revealed all of his bad habits and put the CEO on guard to avoid those bad habits in the future. Unfortunately, this CEO's example is rarely followed. Few want to know how they spend their time or what their output is."