By Ed Bierschenk
Reflecting back on the successes and shortfalls I have experienced in business, most had to do with whether or not I set clear goals and then focused relentless on execution. For several years in a row with a major retailer, I was accountable to hire and train managers and staff for over fifteen newly opened retail units. That meant processing through thousands of candidates each month to find the right people who could learn quickly and build our customer service culture in each new location. Very specific recruiting, training, payroll, financial and performance goals need to be met each quarter to ensure successful unit launches. Here are Twelve Tips for Goal Setting and Goal Getting which came out of that experience.
- Keep your goals aligned with your mission and core values. Fortunately, my company was clear about its values, brand promise and vision for business growth and community involvement.
- Aim high and set only a few big goals. One of the core values of this firm was “relentless dissatisfaction” with mediocrity. Each unit opening had to be better, more efficient and have a faster return-on-investment that the last. The goals need to be “few and highly focused.”
- Prioritize high leverage goals. Ask yourself, what action will make the most significant difference? Where is the lowest hanging fruit? Which actions deliver the most value?
- Ask “what are the constraints “only after you have clear goals. Get creative with your time, specifications, and financial resources. You will may have to compromise…. but make the right concessions by knowing the outcome you expect first before giving into any constraint.
- Evaluate as you go. Check results after each milestone. What went well in that last effort? What could we do differently? What could we eliminate? Evaluate each planning meeting, each major project and be certain to evaluate each quarter before moving on to the next quarter.
- Put relationships before tasks. Setting goals requires “collaborative thinking”. Getting goals requires “engagement and commitment” of every human asset at your disposal. That means appropriate involvement by vendors, internal customers at all levels, and external customers.
- Ask questions…. not just give answers. The people around you know a lot about your business and often times they are closer to the customer than we are as leaders. Ask great questions and listen intently for approaches you may not have considered.
- Block out time each week to think, strategize and plan. Set aside time to read from a non-familiar industry, do a little research and then reflect on what you learned for that creative spark or new approach.
- Make daily choices consistent with your vision, values and key goals. Daily pressure can cause us to lose sight of our ideal outcome. Distractions and shiny objects are everywhere. Keep focused on those daily decisions that lead to quarterly and yearly results.
- Sharpen your saw frequently. Give yourself enough time for physical, spiritual, emotional, and social renewal. If you are healthy, rested, content in your personal life and relationships, you can handle stress more easily when work or business pressures surface.
- Always ask yourself “Where can I contribute best?” Take into account your strengths, interests and what you are most energized to do. Delegate other task to those in your organization who have strengths, energy and skill to carry out those alternate tasks that don’t fit your style.
- Practice Gratitude. Say “thank you” often to those who have contributed to your success. The people, mentors or organizations you appreciate may just be the key for your success in 2020.
Ed Bierschenk is an experienced business coach and facilitator for The Alternative Board in San Antonio and frequently conducts strategic retreats and workshops for business owners and teams. Contact him though TAB or 281-795-1845.