Welcome to the Momentum Business Coaching Newsletter for Small Business
January 2005

Setting Goals for You and Your Team

As Henry Ford once said, "whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right''. If we don't have specific and measurable goals, be they end goals or performance goals, how can we possibly celebrate or change our actions for the future.

What's the difference between an end and a performance goal?
An end goal is the final objective - to become the market leader, to win that major account, - it is seldom within your control, as you cannot control what your competitors are going to do.

A performance goal, is where you identify the performance level that you feel will provide you with a good chance of achieving your end goal, examples would be 90% of production to pass quality control first time. It is generally within your control and provides a means of measuring your progress.

The end goal may provide the inspiration, but the performance goal outlines the specification.

While all business owners are free to set their own goals, most often they are passed down the line without being questioned. This often denies ownership to those who are asked to meet these targets and their performance often suffers as a result.

Forward-thinking business people are now seeking to motivate their managers and staff by encouraging them to set their own challenging goals wherever possible. The value of choice and responsibility in terms of motivation should not be underestimated. What happens if they come up with a goal that is lower than what you wanted? You may do better to swallow your pride and accept their figure, as insisting on your figure may well have the effect of lowering the performance of the team, even though your target was higher than theirs. They may or may not consider your target unrealistic, but they will certainly be demotivated by their lack of choice.

You always have the option to start with your teams figure and coach them upwards by exploring and helping them to set their targets higher. They then retain responsibility for the finally agreed figure.

By having end goals, supported by performance goals and involving all relevant staff in the process, your business will thrive in the long haul.

For a more complete description on ''Setting Goals for You and Your Team'' or a free consultation,
simply contact John Buckley of Momentum Business Coaching at 045-881888 or e-mail jbuckley@momentumcoach.ie or visit www.momentumcoach.ie