Personal Development
/
SMART goals at work: examples for what, how, and why

SMART goals at work: examples for what, how, and why

Shiken premium Upgrade Banner

Unlock Your Team's Potential with SMART Goals

Today's workplace is more competitive than ever before. Sales leaders in particular have a big impact on their team's performance and engagement, and to reach desired results, they must practice certain mindsets and behaviors. To ensure success, Shiken has provided the best practices, research, and tools to help organizations create a high-performing workplace full of clarity, purpose, and passion.

What are SMART Goals and How Do They Help?

SMART goals are the most effective way for team leaders to actionably achieve their goals. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. With each criterion, businesses can set clear objectives, understand what needs to be done to reach them, and provide direction for employees. This framework not only motivates teams, but also helps measure success and create accountability.

  • Specific: Get crystal clear on what you're trying to achieve. Vague goals can lead to confusion and decreased success.
  • Measurable: Use metrics such as key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor your goals.
  • Attainable: Set realistic goals that your team can actually reach.
  • Relevant: Make sure the goals line up with your business objectives.
  • Time-Bound: Set a time frame for completing tasks so you can track progress.

Research conducted by Latham and Locke revealed that specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance than easy goals, 'do your best' goals, or no goal at all. That's why setting SMART goals is so important � it can help teams avoid overly broad tasks and instead establish small, achievable goals that can add up to a larger accomplishment.

How to Set SMART Goals

The following is a five-step process for setting SMART goals:

  • Start with a clear goal in mind.
  • Break down the goal into specific tasks that are assigned to team members.
  • Set a time frame for each task.
  • Feed SMART goals into budget development and allocate resources.
  • Celebrate successes and recognize contributions.

The Advantages of SMART Goals

SMART goals provide multiple advantages for businesses, such as providing guidance and direction, increased motivation and commitment, and improved performance control. In addition, setting SMART goals helps employees focus on measurable results, prioritize tasks, and be held accountable for successes.

Ultimately, SMART goals are the key to running a successful team. With SMART goals, you can identify tasks, allocate resources, monitor progress, and assess performance. Utilizing SMART goals increases your chances of achieving your business objectives and keeps your team motivated and engaged.

What is SMART Goal-setting?

SMART goal-setting is an effective tool for achieving success in both your personal and professional life. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound and is a way of setting and achieving objectives and goals in a thoughtful and organized manner. By taking the time to lay out well-defined goals, you can more easily identify how to reach them as well as measure your progress along the way.

How to Set SMART Goals

Setting SMART goals is a five-step process that starts with deciding what you want to achieve. You�ll need to identify your desired results as well as how you�ll measure success. It�s also essential to set realistic expectations and timelines for achieving these goals. Additionally, it�s important to ensure that the goals you�ve set are aligned with your company�s overall mission. Finally, you�ll need to review the level of resources required to reach the goal.

The Benefits of SMART Goal-setting

The benefits of SMART goal setting are numerous. For starters, it gives your team an improved sense of focus and direction. It also enables team members to better understand how their individual tasks are contributing to the larger mission of the company. Additionally, by setting realistic expectations and timelines, you can help eliminate disappointment or frustration in the workplace due to unrealistic goals. Finally, by measuring success in a thoughtful manner, you can better understand which goals have been achieved or require further effort.

Questions to Ask When Setting SMART Goals

  • What are the desired results?
  • What will indicate the goal has been achieved?
  • How long do you expect the process to take?
  • What resources do you need to reach the goal?
  • What can you realistically achieve in the timeframe?
  • Is the goal aligned with the aims of the business?

Examples of SMART Goals

SMART goal setting can be applied to many areas of life, from personal wellbeing to business growth. It can also be used when creating a five-year plan or building a priority matrix to help you prioritize tasks in a meaningful way. Here are a few examples of SMART goals that you can use to inspire your own goals:

  • Write one blog post a week
  • Achieve a 50% increase in online sales in the next 6 months
  • Increase customer satisfaction scores by 15% over the next year
  • Lose 10 pounds by March 2021
  • Grow email subscribers by 50% each month

Using SMART Goals to Drive Success

Having clear and relevant objectives is essential to drive success in any team effort. You can get started by setting SMART goals with the help of the five-step process outlined above. As you progress, ensure that you commit to your objectives as a team and measure your success in a meaningful way. By following these steps, you can ensure that your team meets and exceeds its goals and better achieves its wider business mission.

Join Shiken For FREE

AI-powered learning tools. Create, relax, learn.

Gumbo Study Buddy

Try Shiken Premium
for Free

14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Get Started
Join 20,000+ learners worldwide.
The first 14 days are on us
96% of learners report x2 faster learning
Free hands-on onboarding & support
Cancel Anytime