MBOs, OKRs, and SMART goals, oh my!

If you are struggling to hit your goals, it may be that they lack clarity and specificity. Regardless of the method (OKR, MBO, SMART, FAST, etc.) you use, here is a framework that increases the chances of goal attainment.

Economy
– Focus on active voice when writing Priorities, OKRs, MBOs, etc.  
– Use as little punctuation and as few words as possible 
– Avoid repeating yourself
– Continually ask if each word is necessary for clarity.
– Remove all unnecessary words.
– Add if clarity is lacking.

Transparency
– Avoid jargon. Will a twelve-year old understand what you are doing, who is doing it, and when it is to be completed?
– Focus on clarity of intent and language
– Sharp over ambiguous (i.e.,avoid vague words such as improve, increase, decrease, fewer unless there is a metric that defines what you mean (e.g., improve customer satisfaction by 5% over last year, lower regrettable turnover by 10% by 9/30/21)
– Concrete over abstract (e.g., provide specific dates (3/17/21 not Q2) 
– Make it easy on the reader (e.g., Avoid making the reader do math or have to interpret meaning)

Cohesiveness
– Maintain consistency of language and intent
– Focus on cohesion to both identity (i.e core purpose, values, competencies, objectives, customer) and longer term goals (BHAG, 3HAG, etc.)
Be exceptional!

Bill – Certified Growth Coach, Foundations in NeuroLeadership certified, PI Certified Partner, MG100 member coach
(bill@catalystgrowthadvisors.comwww.catalystgrowthadvisors.com)
For MA companies ONLY, as an approved Training and Development provider, Catalyst Growth Advisors can offer up to 50% off program fees. Click here to see if you qualify.

Please click here to download the free pdf version of my book Further, Faster – The Vital Few Steps that Take the Guesswork out of Growth. There is also a link to Amazon for the audio, e-book or paperback versions.

Published by Bill Flynn

Gazelles Member Advisor and early stage startup specialist with a proven track record with 16 Boston-based startups (9 to date with 5 successful outcomes, advisor to 7 others); SMB to Fortune 500 companies. 20+ years of Senior Sales, Marketing and GM experience in industries including mobile advertising, security, digital advertising, e-commerce and IT. Core Competencies: Player/Coach, Metrics-driven, Execution-based philosophy, Life-long learner

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