Working with the Baldrige Criteria allows organizations to use an integrated approach to oganizational performance management that results in: - the delivery of ever-improving value to it's customers and stakeholders which will contirbute to the organization's sustainability - the improvement of overall organizational effectiveness and capabilities - both organizational and personal learning   With Board of Examiner experience, VRAI Transformation, will assist your organization in working with the criteria as well as maximizing the value of this accomplishment with public relations, marketing and continuous performance improvement.  We invite you to explore the many benefits of working with the Baldrige criteria while pursuing excellence and innovation in your current organization.  To schedule a time to discuss this pursuit, email us at Baldrige@vraitransformation.com.   Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Background The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was established in 1987 to improve performance in U.S. organizations. Awards are made to organizations that have substantially benefited the economic or social well-being of the United States through improvements resulting in performance excellence. Awards can be given in six categories: manufacturing, service, small business, education, health care and non-profit. The application process is rigorous and thorough. Applicants for the award submit up to 50 pages of details showing processes, improvements and results in seven areas, including leadership, customers and markets, human resources and strategic planning. Each applicant receives more than 400 hours of review by an independent board of business, education and health care experts as well as a detailed report citing strengths and opportunities for improvement. Since 1988, 67 organizations have received the Baldrige Award. The Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence are used worldwide by thousands of organizations to assess and improve their overall performance. Annually, more than 1 million copies of the criteria are downloaded from the Baldrige program’s Web site. Each Baldrige Award recipient receives a Steuben crystal stela encasing a gold medallion engraved with the Presidential seal and the words, “The Quest for Excellence.” The award is named after Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary of Commerce from 1981 until his death in a rodeo accident in July 1987. Baldrige was a proponent of quality as a key to this country’s prosperity and long-term growth and helped draft the act establishing the award program. The act was signed into law by President Reagan in August 1987. Further information on the Baldrige National Quality Program is available at www.baldrige.nist.gov.