Unlocking and nurturing positive employee behaviors for improved performance.
Organizations are focused on improving productivity and profits. Improving employee engagement - through policies like workplace flexibility – is an example of strategies that many organizations are implementing to positively influence productivity.
Due to the ever-increasing desire to increase performance, the need to be able to steer behavioral changes in organizations has never been greater. Whether it is about productivity, quality, absenteeism, sales or safety, the behaviors exhibited by employees are not always aligned to organizational objectives and the desires of management.
For decades, research has repeatedly identified behavior as the root cause for the majority of organizational change programs failing to meet their objectives. Research by McKinsey has shown that a staggering 70% of organizational change programs fail to meet all their objectives. In no less than 60% of those cases, ‘behavior’ is determined as the root cause. That is, a failure to get people to actually DO the things that the program aimed for.
The potential for improved behaviors to translate into improved performance, productivity and profitability is, therefore, huge. Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) is the approach that enables organizations to unlock this potential.
What is Organizational Behavior Management (OBM)?
Organizational Behavior Management is a scientifically proven method for optimizing organizational performance by combining a seven-step protocol with hard data and a focus on positive change of behaviors.
Used successfully worldwide for over 40 years, OBM has a proven track record of improving organizational performance in every field of business, in hundreds of reported cases. It is based on the scientific foundations of measurement, analysis and management of human behavior. When behavior is measurable, it is easier to influence.
Based on the behavioral science ‘Applied Behavior Analysis’, OBM is the application of this science in organizational settings.
Described as one of the best-kept secrets in the consulting industry and often referred to as “the science of success”, OBM has been successfully applied since the 1950s in hundreds of companies over fifty countries.
With OBM behavior is measurable. Where many other methods stop at the definition of goals, KPIs and individual targets, OBM takes it an essential step further. In the end it is all about what people really DO to make an actual contribution to a target. As Aubrey C. Daniels – one of the founding fathers of OBM – puts it: “Business is Behavior”.
The benefits of OBM
Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) offers numerous benefits to organizations including:
- Enhanced employee performance: OBM helps improve employee performance by setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and implementing performance management techniques.
- Increased productivity: By optimizing processes, motivating employees, and fostering a positive work culture, OBM can lead to higher productivity levels within the organization.
- Improved employee morale and job satisfaction: Through effective leadership, communication, and recognition of achievements, OBM contributes to higher levels of employee morale and job satisfaction.
- Reduced turnover rates: Organizations that implement OBM strategies often experience lower turnover rates as employees feel valued, engaged, and supported in their roles.
- Better communication and collaboration: OBM encourages open communication, teamwork, and collaboration among employees and departments, leading to smoother workflows and improved problem-solving.
- Effective conflict resolution: By understanding behavioral dynamics, OBM equips managers with tools to address and resolve conflicts constructively, minimizing disruptions to the work environment.
- Optimized leadership development: OBM emphasizes the development of effective leadership skills, empowering managers to lead by example, motivate their teams, and drive organizational success.
- Adaptability and change management: OBM fosters a culture of adaptability and resilience, enabling organizations to navigate changes in the business environment more effectively.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction: Satisfied and motivated employees are more likely to deliver excellent customer service, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Improved organizational performance and bottom line: Ultimately, the implementation of OBM principles results in improved organizational performance, greater profitability, and a competitive edge in the market.
Summary
These benefits highlight the importance of OBM in creating a conducive work environment and driving success for organizations.
The potential to enhance the performance and success rates of organizational change initiatives (projects, programmes, etc.) through the application of organizational behavior management is huge.
With behavior often cited as a root cause of initiatives failing to deliver the desired outcomes and benefits, and the science of OBM becoming increasingly understood and widespread, managers and leaders now have access to a range of resources and professional development opportunities to build their capability.
A great place to start is the OBM training and certification program. Courses are underpinned by content developed by our partners and experts at OBM Dynamics.
