Our Story

Where it all began

Exemplary Performance, LLC was established in April 2004 by Paul Elliott, Ph.D. who wished to help other companies by sharing his expertise in optimizing human performance. By recruiting a seasoned team of professionals within the industry, Exemplary Performance has provided clients lasting results by providing valuable insight for improving their organizational performance.

Exemplary Performance’s expertise lies in focusing on:

• Analysis and alignment to ensure teams and team members meet the same goals and objectives of the business.
• Strategic planning to boost organizational efficiencies using the firm’s human resources.
• Performance analysis to identify the key influences that enable exemplary performers to achieve outstanding results.
• Design and development of programs for improving performance in critical job roles.
• Implementing actions required to ensure successful performance and rapid return on investment (ROI).

Today, Exemplary Performance continues to expand, joining forces with new partners and adding new team members to better serve its customers around the globe.

Jim & Dana Gaines Robinson

Dana Gaines Robinson and Jim Robinson are the President and Chairman, respectively, of Partners in Change, Inc., a consulting firm they founded in 1981.

Together the Robinsons are recognized leaders in the area of performance technology, assisting organizations in defining performance of people that is needed to achieve required business goals.  Additionally, they have assisted numerous HR and Learning functions to transition from a traditional and tactical focus to a performance and strategic focus.  Clients for these services have included AIG, The Coca-Cola Company, Genentech, QUALCOMM, Trane and YMCA.  They have been frequent speakers at national conferences and have presented and consulted globally with assignments in Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Jim and Dana Robinson have co-authored six books including Performance Consulting: Moving Beyond Training (1995).  At the time of publication, this book was selected by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) for its book of the year award.  With Ken Blanchard they co-authored the book Zap the Gaps! Target Higher Performance and Achieve It (2002).  Their most recent books are Strategic Business Partner: Aligning People Strategies with Business Goals (2005) and Performance Consulting: Second Edition (2008). Books authored and edited by the Robinsons have been selectively translated into 20 languages.

The Robinsons have been presented with the Distinguished Contribution Ward for Workplace Learning and Performance by ASTD and the Thought Leadership Award by ISA.  These awards recognize their landmark work in performance improvement and the sustained impact they have had in the training and human resources industry.
In 2008, Dana and Jim Robinson sold the intellectual property of their business to Exemplary Performance, LLC.  Exemplary Performance is now the sole distributor of the consulting services and workshops created and provided by the Robinsons.  Dana and Jim are moving into a semi-retired lifestyle, providing time to pursue other interests.  Their consulting services will continue to be available, on a limited basis, through Exemplary Performance.

Dana has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree in Psychoeducational Processes from Temple University.  Dana is a past member of the ASTD Board of Directors.  Jim has a Master’s degree in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin and a second Master’s Degree in Adult Education from Syracuse University.

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