As
business owner, it’s important that you take the time to set goals and review
your business as a whole.
Having
clear, well-defined goals can:
- help your business grow
- achieve your objectives
- improve teamwork and collaboration
- help everyone understand the direction your business is heading in.
Nothing happens until we plan and a good plans have goals and
objectives. Setting goals and objectives correctly goes a long way in helping
in the achieving them. Before I dive into how we go about setting SMART
objectives we need to be aware of the difference between goals and objectives.
A goal is an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envisions, plans and commits to achieve. It relate to our aspirations, purpose and vision. For example, I have a goal
of becoming financially independent, this is a goal.
Objectives are the battle
plan, the stepping stones on the path towards the achievement of my goal. Its a basic tool that underlie all
planning and strategic activities. They serve as the basis for creating
policy and evaluating performance. Some examples of business objectives include minimizing expenses, expanding internationally, or making a profit.
Therefore, a goal may have one or many objective that I would need to fulfill to
achieve a goal.
For example, to become financially independent I would need to
1) get out of debt,
2) improve my saving and
3) start a business.
The most well known method for setting objectives is the
S.M.A.R.T. way, the SMART approach is well understood among managers, but
I’ve found poorly practiced. S.M.A.R.T refers to the acronym that describes the
key characteristics of meaningful objectives, which are
Specific
(concrete, detailed, well defined),
Measureable (numbers, quantity,
comparison),
Achievable (feasible, actionable),
Realistic
(considering resources) and
Time-Bound (a defined time line). Lets look
at these characteristics in more detail.
SMART objective then are the stepping stones to the achievement
of our goals……
Specific
Specific means that the objective is concrete, detailed, focused
and well defined. Specific means that it’s results and action-orientated.
Objective must be straightforwards and emphasize action and the required
outcome. it need to be straightforward and to communicate what you
would like to see happen.
To help set specific objectives it helps to ask:
- WHAT am I going to do? This are best written using strong, action verbs such as conduct, develop, build, plan, execute, etc. This helps your objective to be action-orientated and focuses on what’s most important.
- WHY is this important for me to do?
- WHO is going to do what? Who else need to be involved?
- WHEN do I want this to be completed?
- HOW am I going to do this?
“The successful man is the average
man, focused.” - Unknown
Diagnostic Questions
- What exactly are we going to do, with or for whom?
- What strategies will be used?
- Is the objective well understood?
- Is the objective described with action verbs?
- Is it clear who is involved?
- Is it clear where this will happen?
- Is it clear what needs to happen?
- Is the outcome clear?
- Will this objective lead to the desired results?
Achievable
Objectives need to be achievable, if the objective is too far in
the future, you’ll find it difficult to keep motivated and to strive to attain
it. Objectives, unlike your aspirations and visions, need to be achievable to
keep you motivated. I do feel that objectives need to stretch you, but not so
far that you become frustrated and lose motivation.
Diagnostic Questions
- Can we get it done in the proposed time-frame?
- Do I understand the limitations and constraints?
- Can we do this with the resources we have?
- Has anyone else done this successfully?
- Is this possible?
Realistic
Objectives that are achievable, may not be realistic….. however,
realistic does not mean easy. Realistic means that you have the resources to
get it done. The achievement of an objective requires resources, such as,
skills, money, equipment, etc. to the task required to achieve the objective.
Whilst keeping objectives realistic, ensure that they stretch you. Most
objectives are achievable but, may require a change in your priorities to make
them happen.
Diagnostic Questions
- Do you have the resources available to achieve this objective?
- Do I need to revisit priorities in my life to make this happen?
- Is it possible to achieve this objective?
Measurable
If the objective is measurable, it means that the measurement
source is identified and we are able to track the actions as we progress
towards the objective. Measurement is the standard used for comparison. For
example, what financially independence means to me, may be totally different
compared to what is means for you. As it’s so often said if you can’t
measure it, you can’t manage it! It’s important to have measures that will
encourage and motivate you on the way as you see the change occurring, this may
require interim measures. Measurements go along way to help us to know when we
have achieved our objective.
Diagnostic Questions
- How will I know that the change has occurred?
- Can these measurements be obtained?
Time-Bound
Time-bound means setting a deadlines for the achievement of the
objective. Deadlines need to be both achievable and realistic. If you don’t set
a time you will reduce the motivation and urgency required to execute the
tasks. Timeframes create the necessary urgency and prompts action.
Diagnostic Questions
- When will this objective be accomplished?
- Is there a stated deadline?
“There’s a difference between
interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it
only when circumstance permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept
no excuses, only results.” – Unknown
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