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Keystone Alliance for Performance Excellence Promotes Competitiveness with
2nd Annual Award Program
HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Pennsylvania organizations will be honored for high performance, quality, and results by the Keystone Alliance for Performance Excellence (KAPE) at the 2nd Annual KAPE Conference on September 6-7, 2007 in Harrisburg, PA.
The high-performing Pennsylvania organizations to receive KAPE awards are:
-- Advent Design Corporation, Bristol, PA
-- Applied Clinical Intelligence-LLC, Bala Cynwyd, PA
-- Eaton Corporation-Beaver Plant, Beaver, PA
-- Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg, PA
-- U.S. Foodservice- Western PA Group, Greensburg, PA.
These organizations were selected after an extensive assessment process that includes an application and/or a site visit, in which examiners judge how well they perform in areas such as Visionary Leadership, Management by Fact, Focus on Results, Agility, Systems Perspective, and Focus on the Future.
KAPE, a non-profit corporation, promotes Pennsylvania competitiveness through a progressive, three-tiered assessment and awards process that encourages and recognizes performance improvements by the state's public and private organizations
"The Keystone Alliance awards process provides an opportunity for businesses, schools, hospitals, and service agencies to become truly great organizations," said Barbara Terry, executive director of KAPE. "We hope that KAPE will make a significant impact on Pennsylvania communities and its economic development."
The KAPE process provides assessment of organizational performance based on the U.S. Department of Commerce's proven Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria. Applicants begin by submitting a written description of how their companies address 11 core concepts that yield results. Organizations receive recognition at every step of their journey, and the exceptional organizations are granted the Keystone award. Applicants also receive a written feedback report on strengths and opportunities for improving performance.
"State quality award programs are a critical incubator for companies in the early stages of performance excellence. Nearly 80% of Baldrige National Award Program recipients win at the state level first," stated Terry.
The KAPE site visit consists of 5 to 7 trained examiners gaining an intimate knowledge of an organization's programs and processes by observing and questioning employees onsite. Examiners then compile an extensive feedback report with detailed suggestions for improved business practices. Ideally, an applicant organization will achieve the highest level of award, the "Keystone Award for Performance Excellence," based on incremental improvements.
Over the past two years, nearly 60 examiners, selected for their professional experience, have received over 40 hours of training to provide consultant-caliber evaluations.
Initially funded by 2003 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipients MEDRAD, INC. of Pittsburgh and The Boeing Company, KAPE provides several levels of Keystone Award recognition for organizations in Pennsylvania. Other organizations sponsoring the KAPE Conference and its mission are Maryland-based Asbury Communities and the Hershey Company.
KAPE encourages all public or private organizations located in Pennsylvania to begin a journey of quality improvement, regardless of their status or size. For more information on the KAPE conference or to make a reservation to attend, visit http://www.keystonealliance.com.
For additional information contact:
Barbara Terry, Executive Director KAPE
Phone: (717) 737-6470
Email: bterry@keystonealliance.com
SOURCE MEDRAD, INC.![]() Copyright©2007 PR Newswire. |