Information isn’t just power, but it’s powerful. Particularly when it comes to developing creative ways to inform your team about their performance, motivate them, and develop critical accountability. One way to do all this can be through “flash reporting” — a method for communicating real-time results relative to established goals. For instance, successful accountability leaders develop systems and processes that give them results as they happen, so they can reinforce what’s going right and take corrective action to address what’s not. Similarly, making those real-time results visible to all can sharpen everyone’s focus, boost drive, and reinforce each individual’s role in meeting vital goals.

For example, instead of waiting until your weekly or monthly Vital Factor Team meeting to determine whether you’ve met or fallen short on your goals, send out an alert that reports on those goals at a strategic time during the day, such as three hours before you typically close. Letting people know how the company is doing “now” empowers them to make in-the-moment decisions about how to go about their jobs.

If flash reporting sounds like an appealing idea for your company, here are a few ways to make sure it’s effective:

Focus on the Vital Few metrics. Don’t overwhelm people with all the stats you might have, but give them what’s essential to achieving pre-set goals. Flash reporting shouldn’t be some big report but just a snapshot, revealing what’s critical to the company’s health, such as volume, profits, total sales, etc.

Choose the right communication tool. Establish a solid delivery method for your flash reporting — then stick with it. Most likely, a text or email is the best choice for communicating although some companies have been known to use an intercom or post to a company dashboard that’s accessible from everyone’s computer. Just make sure the method of reporting you choose works for all who need to receive it.

Make it a part of your accountability culture. Flash reporting is most successful when it’s implemented for the long haul and becomes a regular, expected aspect in your business. Don’t view this strategy as the “flavor of the month” or some temporary tool. Take it seriously, reinforce its importance in staff meetings and other communications, and incorporate it for good. If you stick with it and even institutionalize it, you’ll find that flash reporting can really fuel greater results.

What might be the pushback to flash reporting — how can you address that to ensure it’s embraced by all?