| Deploying objectives in a department | | | | - Increased profit margin |
| Objective setting is a vital part of appraising and | | | | - Reduced expenses |
| managing employees. Both managers and | | | | Then you will need to consider the key elements which |
| subordinates should be aware of what the objectives | | | | show how the objectives will be achieved and what |
| are for the current period as well as be working on | | | | changes in behaviour or action is needed to deliver |
| new draft objectives for the next period prior to | | | | them. Try to ensure that the objectives represent |
| discussing them during a future appraisal meeting - | | | | clear business related targets that contribute to your |
| where objectives for the forthcoming period can be | | | | organization's success. Wherever possible the |
| documented and agreed. | | | | objectives should be SMART - Specific, Measurable, |
| How to set objectives: | | | | Achievable, Realistic and Time bound. Qualitative |
| A Manager will have her own set of business | | | | measures are also good and achievement can be |
| objectives and it is the responsibilities of staff to | | | | confirmed from interviewing customers for example or |
| support her in achieving these. Staff should make sure | | | | by discussing performance with peers. The important |
| that their manager communicates the objectives to the | | | | point is to come up with an approach that enables in a |
| team and from this they should then be able to define | | | | clear way to demonstrate that you have by your |
| their own goals contributing towards the overall team's | | | | action achieved the set goals. |
| success. | | | | Sample Business Objectives at staff level: |
| The first task is to identify the results that you as a | | | | - Ten new customers at an average contract value of |
| staffer are responsible for achieving rather than the | | | | will be signed in the next quarter |
| actual work activity leading to those results. Where | | | | - Sales of $100,000 of extra service revenue in the |
| possible attempt to quantify or include a definite | | | | financial year from additional requirements |
| assessment point like a sign-off when successful | | | | - To reduce in the number of calls on the call queue |
| completion occurs. | | | | outstanding by more than 5 days by 50% in three |
| The following are examples of possible required | | | | months. |
| results: | | | | - To respond to a request for change within 5 working |
| - Project delivered on or under time and within budget | | | | days from receipt of documented change note. |
| - The delivered signed of business case of the project | | | | - Increase the hit rate on customer enquiries to closed |
| - Reduced operating costs of the department | | | | deal to 25% of all leads in one year. |
| - New sales at the required margin | | | | - To score 'satisfied' to 'very satisfied' in all post |
| - Reduced call stack on the service desk | | | | project assessments in the year. |
| - Improved service levels | | | | - To complete all invoicing to customers by 5 days |
| - Positive feedback from customers | | | | after the month end close. |