Why and how to give objectives to its employees and managers?

WHY SET GOALS?

It is up to executives to translate into economic reality the vision and values ​​that leaders define for their company. This requires the establishment of objectives and action plans .

If we wanted to image this concept, we could say that the ambition of leaders is a star in the sky. The Earth represents the current situation of the company. The objectives represent the actions allowing the company to leave the Earth to join the star.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LENSES

A company’s goals are often ambitious. However, they must remain realistic. They must also be simple in order to be understood by all employees. This does not prevent going through complex episodes, even very complex. To be achievable, goals must be measurable . This is, for example, a gain in market share, an improvement in margins or a reduction in overheads. But it can also be the implementation of a training plan or the launch of a new product. Finally, the action plans associated with the objective must be measurable over time.

This approach is often described as SMART, an English word that can be translated as “intelligent” or “mischievous”. SMART here meaning Simple, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic and measurable over Time.

HOW TO SET GOALS FOR YOUR TEAM

Who, what, how and when. These are the four determinants that must be included in the definition of an objective. Let’s imagine that the objective is to increase the company’s market share by 2%, the manager must specify when he expects to achieve this objective. He must first detail the tasks to be carried out to achieve this and assign to each employee concerned the responsibility incumbent on him (referencing, price, service, marketing, etc.).

Once the objective has been presented to the teams , it is necessary to agree on a regular meeting with the team in order to measure the overall progress of the project. It is also necessary to organize individual work sessions with each of the people involved in this mission.

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM AROUND A GOAL

The motivation of the manager will manifest itself at a general level and at an individual level. It is therefore important to know your employees well and to act with them in an appropriate manner. Some employees need a great deal of autonomy while others need to be supervised, accompanied, seen, driven. Some are impatient while others are more laid back.

The first motivation that comes to mind is that of an objective bonus, the value of which depends on the importance and complexity of the mission. This value can be fixed, calculated as a percentage, assigned to all in the same way or according to a hierarchy. The payment of the bonus should take place at the end of the mission and be detached from the annual performance bonus.

We should add that behavioral motivation is just as important. The manager must be close to his employees in order to remove their doubts, reassure them about their skills and congratulate them on their success. We can never stress enough that a word or a sign triggers at least as many effects as the remuneration.

Finally, achieving objectives also means the possibility of promotion to a higher position.

Objectives are essential elements in the life of a company. They are factors of improvement for the company, but also for the employees. The objectives indeed enrich the know-how of the teams and they position the managers within the organization.