mavSolve

A new year; new opportunities, right?  Well, those are just arbitrary milestones set by men to measure the distance traveled in a lifetime.  Still, emotionally, we all seem to think of these milestones in terms of progress.  So, it is with this newly found energy and outset that we embark on 2009.

What are your resolutions?  Did you set resolutions in terms of objective and measurable goals?  We all have a tendency to make resolutions like:  “I’m going to lose weight in 2009″ or “I’m going to sell more product in 2009″.   I am guilty of this as well.  Instead, this year I’ve set very explicit goals for myself.  I’ve committed to losing 20 lbs, saving $10k etc…

So, on a tangential subject, how can you get your employees to help?   Well, first thing, they have to know about your goals.   You can’t expect to treat them like marionettes and not have them act like puppets.  So, sit your folks down and have a chat with them.  Tell them your goals, and why you have the goals.  Ask them to participate.  Set up a reward for the entire team if your company meets its goals, and moreover, reward them individually for outstanding performance.

We won’t reach all of our goals, but if we don’t set them up as measurable, we can’t possibly reach them.  I have found that the more clearly we can explain, justify and evangelize our goals, the more likely they are to be adopted by our teams, and the more likely they are to come to fruition.