Molly Janczyk: Candidates for Baldrige Award

From Molly Janczyk, January 9, 2008
Subject: Dennis Leone and John Lazares: Perfect Baldrige Award Candidates

Baldrige Principles:

Look up and you will find multiple sites with these common ideas:

Baldrige Principles: 'Other principles focus on single aspect such as leadership, management, etc. Baldrige interested in ALL aspects that define the organization has adaptable, strategy driven performance focusing on needs of ALL STAKEHOLDERS (RETIREES) and needs, results, requirements rather than procedures.

• Help American businesses and organizations become more competitive resulting in higher performances by playing a vital role in helping U.S. gain edge in fierce competitive market

• For understanding excellence, quality and performance in all they do.

• Flexible

• Creative

• Long term view

• Focus on process and business results AND VALUE TO ITS CUSTOMERS (RETIREES, IN OUR CASE) AND PERFORM FOR INNOVATION

• ENCOURAGE INNOVATION

• SERVE ITS CUSTOMER; FOCUS ON CUSTOMER (RETIREES)

• Focus on information analysis

I believe that Dennis Leone and John Lazares exemplify the Baldrige Principles for their innovative and creative long term thinking on behalf of STRS Stakeholders.

They have been 100% focused on shareholders (their customers) since elected. They have attempted to engage other Board members in fierce analysis displaying their excellent understanding of the need of quality performance focusing on the process and results for their customers (retirees) alone pursuant to ORC: 3307.15: act solely on behalf of membership with prudence which is in complete compliance with the Baldrige Principles.

No where did I see silence, make no waves, put on a nice show, present a uniform front (even when you believe something is wrong completely against our Constitution), oppose simply for its own sake, do not argue points (even when you feel it is essential for your shareholders as the ethical and moral thing to do), do not blow whistles (or the organizations will come out against you), be puppets and give in to other Board members and organizational leaders.

I saw spirit and lively interaction solely for the sake of serving stakeholders.