Does your staff cringe when you talk about goals? Do your coworkers roll their eyes when you discuss your objectives for the coming year?

If this is the case in your organization, it may be time for a new way of thinking about your goals — one that is well established, motivating and clear.

Try using the SMART framework to make your goal setting more effective. SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound. This technique can add clarity, structure and motivation to your organizational goals.

Specific: What do you want to accomplish? What actions should you take? Be detailed, use numbers and define results.

Measurable: How will you know if you’re successful? How will you assess progress and know if you’re on track? Will you measure quality, quantity or both? You might need to build a way to collect data so that you can measure your results.

Achievable: There’s no sense in setting a goal that’s so lofty that it’s unattainable. Your goal should be a stretch and a challenge, but defined and doable. Also, make sure you have the resources you need to achieve your goal.

Relevant: Each goal should matter. It should fit with and support other goals and move the organization forward. It should match your nonprofit’s current needs and future aspirations, as well as be meaningful to your team.

Time Bound: What is the deadline for accomplishing this goal? How long will it take? Are there intermediate steps that can be scheduled to encourage progress? A deadline keeps your work focused.

Using the SMART framework, your goal setting exercises will result in a more realistic vision for your organization’s future and inspire your team to set a targeted action plan.

We can help you further your goals. Contact us to discuss your objectives.  

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Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal or other competent advisors. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional advisor who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided “as is,” with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

 

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