DED Excellence Programme model in focus

Delegates at the two-day Quest for Excellence conference which opened yesterday were urged to examine the Business Excellence Model in order to explore their route to excellence.

The significance of adopting a dynamic strategy and a mindset that has the ability to achieve change and create value from the use of Business Excellence was discussed.

"The Dubai Quality Award (DQA) is a free service offered to Dubai-based organisations by the Dubai Government," said Essa Kazim, co-ordinator general, Dubai Quality Award, and director general of Dubai Financial Market.

"DQA is not an area for competition but is best regarded as a tool for development. More than 1,000 companies have already benefited by applying to the award because of the detailed assessment reports that are given to them," he added.

Steve Unwin of the UK-based Access to Excellence Co. Ltd. emphasised the need to be constantly aware of and open to the changing business scenario in order to achieve excellence.

"Excellence isn't to be found in the things you have done before. It isn't to be found in mimicking others. Excellence is exploration."

Explaining that the greatest impediment to excellence is in the mindset that only seeks prescriptive answers, he introduced the idea of two iconic individuals – the Day Tripper and the Explorer.

The need for developing a dynamic strategy was emphasised by John Turner, a senior manager from McKinsey & Company's Dubai office.

"Business is not static. The scenario keeps changing and if organisations do not have a proper strategy to address these changing environments they could be losers. Strategy then is adapting to change in a systematic way by keeping to a process.

"Very few companies survive long-term if they continue to hold on to certain static measures. This presentation explores the ways and means we can foster environments that support and foster growth."

Dr. Lway Nackasha, adviser of quality and business excellence at the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), said DQA applicants can benchmark themselves against an international criteria for excellence as they receive an independent feedback report on strengths and areas for improvement.