1. Create a clearly defined strategy that is easily communicated and understood.
A strategy must originate from upper management, and then cascade into a properly designed organization. Encourage this process by investing in information and tools to help front-line managers better understand their people, so that they can form and maintain cohesive, stellar teams.
2. Design your departments in such a way that the positions within each department can easily execute the strategy.
Clearly define the attributes of people who fit the culture. Then use that standard to support your hiring decisions. Proactively identify and develop effective front-line managers. View requests to add headcount with healthy skepticism and only after exhausting good alternatives. Ensure employees have the right "fit" for their jobs as well as proper experience, skills, and equipment to perform at full capacity.
3. Ensure that each job not only has a job description, but distinct and measurable goals.