Setting SMART goals for business is important because being SMART is the only way to be to achieve any kind of success.
It could be a plan to promote a brand or achieve a sales target within a given time frame, setting smart goals is of paramount importance. Needless to say, the success or failure of any business also depends largely on the kind of goals that define it.
For those of you unfamiliar with SMART, here’s what it really means. SMART stands for – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time based. They, in fact, form the basis of setting efficient objectives.
Here’s a little about each:
>> Specific: It is a very important element of business planning. Get straight to the point about what you want to achieve, when you want to achieve, the exact requirements and constraints, and above all, why you want to achieve the specific objectives. If possible, use percentages, figures, ratios and fractions to highlight your goals. For example: I want to achieve 20% more sales than I made last year.
>> Measurable: It means that you should be able to measure your present performance against these objectives. So when you aim at a 20% profit margin you have a measurable objective.
>> Achievable: Be realistic when you set targets, or else you might end up being very disappointed if you do not meet them. They should not be too easy or too difficult to attain.
>> Relevant: Make sure the objectives you set are closely linked to your kind of business.
>> Time based: Targets are of no use if they are not set within a given time frame. So when you say that you need to increase production volume by 500,000 units, make sure you specify the time as well.
Do you still believe that setting SMART goals for business is rocket science?