How do I move beyond my benchmark?

Elevate performance. Accomplish goals. Achieve success.

Move beyond your benchmark to the next level.

 

What is a benchmark?

Benchmark ('bench • märk): an established point defining your current position from which future progress can be measured based on performance, desired outcomes, goals, and specific results.

At any given time and place we can recognize our ability, or inability, to fulfill the organizational and team expectations others have of us - and for that matter- the expectations we have of ourselves. Based on our current status to accomplish organizational missions, to achieve success on projects, and to fulfill individual dreams, a reference point can be established. A reference point that is relative to where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. This reference point is the benchmark from which progress is measured.

 

We all have enjoyed and celebrated the success of exceeding a goal - a goal that becomes our new benchmark. We then challenge ourselves by setting a new goal to move us to the next level. Moving beyond the benchmark may be as simple as trying something new, or as difficult as facing our roadblocks, obstacles, or re-occurring nemeses. Our benchmark is where we are here and now - there is always the opportunity to improve.

 

What's keeping you from moving to the next level?

We are living in a changing economic world where banks are failing, credit markets are freezing, and consumers are retrenching. It is being referred to as the "new economy". You are wondering what your clients, investors, or employer will do. Your vendors and employees are wondering what you are going to do. Even families are wondering what will happen to their dreams and their future. There is fear, anxiety, and a high level of concern. What's keeping you from moving forward?

 

Too busy...fighting fires...chasing any opportunity...constricted budgets...lacking resources...not the right people...no equipment...no cash flow...poor sales...lacking clarity of what you want...unfocused on the plan to get there...lacking discipline to do the daily tasks...hesitation...fear...lack of motivation...distracted...no desire...

 

What are you going to do today to move forward with your goals, aspirations, and dreams? When do we achieve success, happiness, and fulfillment?

 

Moving		to the next level

The CEOs and top executives that work with Ron Kranz tell him that he makes them think. As a thought provoker, Ron does not just share his talents, experiences, and enthusiasm, he also asks good questions - one's that make you think. He is an idea generator that provides you options that you would not have had otherwise. He stimulates people to think outside their box.

 

 

RON KRANZ
Thought Provoker

 

BIOGRAPHY

 

Ron is a teacher, executive coach, trainer, consultant, and facilitator. He works with individuals, teams, and organizations to move them to the next level. Whether it is strategic planning, business development and marketing, operational efficiencies, fiscal performance, or human resource development, Ron identifies and removes roadblocks allowing you and your organization to excel. He has a particular expertise and passion for developing business leaders - those already at the top and those who will be future leaders.

 

Ron leads and facilitates think tank peer groups of chief executives, small business owners, top executives, and trusted professionals through his management and leadership program - the Peer Leadership Exchange. Having coached and mentored top executives, and having been an executive committee member in a national design firm, Ron knows first hand what it is like to sit in the executive chair. After a long and successful career in the A|E|C industry, in 2004 he realized his passion for teaching and coaching would be best served in his own firm.

 

For five years, Ron served as leader of executive peer advisory groups for a global organization. Working in small groups, he facilitated the identification, discussion, and decision making process for the most challenging issues facing CEOs and small business owners. Through executive coaching he supported and held the organization leaders accountable for their actions. His efforts provided accountable decisions, significant business results, and personal leadership development.

 

Ron's passion for teaching and coaching was discovered while serving as a Senior Vice President with a $100 million design and consulting firm. He accepted the challenge of turning around a poor performing office of 80 people who were generating $10 million in revenue at breakeven profitability. As the first biologist ever hired by the firm 7 years earlier, he had the experience of building the firm's natural resources discipline from scratch into a multi-million dollar, multiple office profitable consulting practice. Having been appointed as the leader of the firm's second largest office, he was applying his expertise and experience to teach other professionals how to serve their clients, produce quality products, and how to earn a profit in the process.

 

The 80 person staff grew to 120, revenue grew to $18 million, morale went from low to high, and profits exceeded 20%. Today, he contributes this success to learning first to lead himself, teaching talented design professionals the fiscal responsibility of running projects, and coaching them to learn their own leadership styles.

 

Ron also served as a member of the corporate executive management team, where he applied his leadership skills and business talents to the success of the firm overall. He participated in setting national strategic directives, monitored the performance of new initiatives, developed corporate wide training programs, set policy, and tracked the performance of firm's 20 national offices. Mentoring other profit center directors re-enforced Ron's passion for teaching and coaching.

 

Today, Ron is president of his own firm BEYOND the BENCHMARK where he leads Peer Leadership Exchange groups for small to mid-size companies. He also applies his talents and enthusiasm in coaching individuals and teams, providing corporate training, facilitating corporate meetings, presenting keynote talks, and consulting on business management topics. Because of the intriguing and inquisitive questioning offered by Ron, his clients have come to refer to him as the "Thought Provoker."

 

Ron lives with his wife, two teenage boys, black lab, terrier, and three cats in a rural setting in the Seattle area. He enjoys gourmet cooking, working out, gardening, sports, and is an avid birdwatcher. He is a continuous learner, reads, and is moved by the emotion of human experiences. His philosophy is best captured by his statement that:

 

Success and fulfillment comes from the passion within us.