This guide identifies selected workplace practices that individual businesses have used to become high performance work organizations. The guide, which is intended for managers, directors, labor leaders, workers, investors, and other individuals interesting in adopting high performance work practices, lays out the basic steps involved in transforming a business into a high performance work organization. The first section, which outlines the skills and information workers need to perform effectively in high performance organizations, pays special attention to the need for training and continuous learning and information sharing. The importance of employee participation, organizational structure, and worker-management partnerships is examined in the second section. Section 3 focuses on compensation linked to performance and skills, employment security, and a supportive work environment. The importance of integrating all of the high performance work organization mentioned into a coordinated organizational strategy rather than just adopting one or two practices is emphasized. Concluding the guide are a 4-page workplace practices checklist and a 47-item list of selected articles, books, studies reports, and other sources of information about high performance work practices. (MN)