Starting a Business All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 2

Setting Goals

IN THIS CHAPTER

Linking goals to your vision

Creating SMART goals

Concentrating on fewer goals

Publicizing your goals

Following through with your employees

Determining sources of power

If you created a list of the most important duties of management, “setting goals” would likely be near the top of the list. In most small and start-up companies, the owner sets the overall purpose — the vision — of the organization. The owner then has the job of developing goals and plans for achieving that vision. Owners and employees work together to set goals and develop schedules for attaining them.

As a business owner, you’re probably immersed in goals — not only for yourself, but also for your employees and your organization. This flood of goals can cause stress and frustration as you try to balance the relative importance of each one:

Should I tackle my goal of improving ...