Authors and Consultants

Dr. Martin Wikoff is a research psychologist, educator and recognized authority on organizational development, productivity improvement, and behavioral technology. His scientifically verified productivity and quality improvement technologies have been deployed extensively around the world for nearly 30 years. As a former Executive Vice President of Persona Global, Dr. Wikoff is responsible for authoring three extremely popular Persona training and consulting programs: Managing Performance, Managing First Class Service, and PRIDE (Purpose, Recognition, Influence, Development, and Energy) – all of which focus on the optimization of human behaviors in an organizational environment. Dr. Wikoff is in demand across the globe, delivering consulting services to numerous multinational corporations and government agencies, including engagements in Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, England, France, and the United States. Dr. Wikoff is a frequent presenter to high-level management and executive groups, and has numerous publications on applied behavior management principles and their relationship to productivity enhancement to his name.

Focus

All of Dr. Wikoff’s proven programs and technologies are based on his ‘real-world’ knowledge derived from decades of hands-on experience, and verified through the utilization of objective control methodologies. His doctoral thesis researched the impact of Performance Technology methodology on productivity in an actual factory setting – the findings became the foundation for his highly effective portfolio of performance improvement and behavioral technologies. With a theme of improving behavior and productivity in organizations, Dr. Wikoff’s three integrated methodologies available from the Persona Global portfolio include some of the most empowering and effective programs currently available. Managing Performance is a Persona Global best seller and equips managers with the key skills and diagnostics needed to improve employee productivity and work quality. Managing First Class Service is an assessment and workshop methodology that provides managers a complete performance-based system explicitly designed for increasing the efficiency of front-line personnel. PRIDE rounds out the trio by providing front-line employees and managers with critical tools for building team effectiveness and relations and creating an environment that fosters improved productivity. The foundation layer of both Managing Performance and Managing First-Class Service utilizes Dr. Wikoff’s innovative and scientifically verified Performance Leadership Profile (PLP). The PLP has assisted thousands around the world to become more effective leaders, and continues to remain the only multi-rater assessment based on the principles of performance technology.

Current Activities

Dr. Wikoff is currently Vice President of Organizational and Leadership Development at KI, an innovative international manufacturer of office furniture with 3,500 employees. His most recent focus has been the continuing development of sales force improvement technologies.

Experience

In his collaboration with Persona Global, Dr. Wikoff has trained Persona partners from around the world in program execution and organizational development consulting. He also has delivered presentations and training to international management groups, including the Korea Human Development Institute’s Executive Committee, Penang Human Resources Association, Singapore National Productivity Board, Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College, and was invited to conduct a symposium regarding his groundbreaking work in sales force productivity at Purdue University. Corporate clients include: Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Whirlpool, Glaxo, Amling’s, First Interstate Bank, KI, Landmark Bank, and First Chicago/Bank One, where Managing First Class Service, became part of the de facto training curricular for all Tellers. During his career Dr. Wikoff also has enjoyed providing classes in management and psychology at several U.S. universities, including University of Wisconsin, DePaul University in Chicago, and St. Norbert College. He is the author of numerous articles, winner of ISPI’s Outstanding Article of the Year Award, member of the editorial board for the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and serves as the Chair of the Quality Committee for Aurora Healthcare, the largest employer and provider of healthcare in the state of Wisconsin

Education

Dr. Wikoff holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Notre Dame with a concentration in experimental psychology, learning processes, and industrial psychology. He was awarded a B.S. in psychology fromthe University of Washington.

Publications

• Performance and Instruction Journal, September 1995. Article of the Year: International Society for Performance & Instruction. The Quality Movement Meets Performance Technology.
• Performance Leadership and Performance Leadership Profile. (1987, 2005) Performance Management assessment and training program for supervisors and managers consisting of participant materials, video, and leaderís guide. Distributed internationally by Persona in 10 languages.
• PRIDE (1991) and Team Development Profile (1993). Teamwork assessment and training program consisting of participant materials and Leaderís Guide. Distributed internationally by Persona in six languages.
• First Class Service. (1990) Customer service training system for tellers and supervisors consisting of participant and supervisor materials, video, and Leaderís Guide. Also modified for telemarketing, insurance, and other service applications. Distributed internationally by Persona and available in English, German, and Spanish.
• A corporate-wide application of Organizational Behavior Management. Performance and Instruction Journal March, 1984, 9-11.
• Behavior management in a factory setting: Increasing work efficiency. Wikoff, M., Anderson, D. C., & Crowell, C. R. ( 1982 ).. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 4, 97-127
• An applied behavior analysis approach to increasing productivity in a factory setting: Effects of feedback and praise on employee performance. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Notre Dame, 1981.
• Activity during prior shock determines subsequent shock-elicited fighting in the rat. Anderson, D. C., Crowell, C. R., Wikoff, M. B., & Lupo, J. V. ( 1980 ). Animal Learning & Behavior, 8, 664-672 .
• Application of behavior management principles to retail grocery clerk performance improvement. Association for Behavior Analysis, 1976, Chicago.