It’s time to switch from smart to FAST Goals
Many people, myself included have used the SMART goal framework to set both business and personal goals. In the current uncertain environment, I feel it is time to switch to FAST goals instead.
Fast Goals are:
- Frequently Discussed,
- Ambitious,
- Specific, and
- Transparent.
Frequently Discussed
In today’s current economic climate, there is a lot of uncertainty. Your customer are uncertain. Your staff are uncertain. Your suppliers are uncertain.
And the only way to reduce this uncertainty is to make sure you are frequently talking to your customers, staff and suppliers.
By frequently talking to your customers, both existing and potential, you can better understand how you can help them.
By frequently talking to your suppliers, you can better understand how they can help you, help your customers.
By frequently talking to your staff you can make sure everyone is engaged and aligned to deliver what your customers need now.
Ambitious
Ambitious goals help you to try a little harder.
Now right now, I am not talking about that Big Hairy Audacious Goal that is 3 to 5 years out. Instead focus on the goals for the next 6 months.
And don’t forget, times of uncertainty bring about massive change. And those who adapt will have the best chance of surviving and thriving in the future.
So, don’t just focus on a dollar goal. Broaden your thinking to include:
- what you can do to innovate your existing business to improve performance.
- how you can pivot and transform your business to take advantage of new or different opportunities available to your business.
Specific
These are uncertain times and clarity of knowing what you are trying to achieve helps reduce that uncertainty for your customers, staff and suppliers.
If you can’t simply and accurately describe your goals, how can you communicate these to others.
Transparent
Transparency is key right now.
Be open and honest with your customers, staff and suppliers.
Secrecy, the opposite of transparency will create uncertainty, mixed engagement and misalignment.
Transparency will ensure everyone knows what is happening and where you are trying to get to.
Summary
If you want to survive and thrive in today’s business world you need to start operating under the framework of FAST Goals.
And don’t just think FAST. Act FAST and increase the amount of communication you are doing with your customers, your staff and your suppliers.
Contact Wayne Wanders for your FREE Business Survival Session
At the end of this session, you will have multiple ideas on how your business can survive and thrive in these uncertain times.
Simply fill in the contact form below or email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052 to organise one of these obligation free sessions.
Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO
wayne@aRealCFO.com.au