During the last 5 years when speaking to or working with organizations, I have personally surveyed well over 1,000 individuals from small business owners to Fortune 1000 executives and have learned that everyone wants success. Yet, if this is true, then why dont we as organizations or as individuals have more success?

The answer to this question lies within the ability to consistently plan, set and execute goals. However, the knowledge and skills necessary to learn how to set goals is not a recognized course in most high schools or even colleges. Without knowledge and skills, developing positive attitudes and habits necessary for consistent goal achievement are even more difficult to realize.

Years ago, Zig Ziglar recognized that consistent goal success must include specific criteria much like the proportional ingredients in any favorite recipe. The criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistically Set High, Target Date/Time Driven) are well accepted among most goal achievement workshops. However, in todays world, goal achievement must include the W.H.Y. - Written, Habit Forming and Yours.

When individuals learn how to set and achieve their own goals, the likelihood increases for management to achieve theirs. The challenge by management is to link organizational goals to personal goals. By helping employees first achieve their own goals, this will catapult organizational efforts and employees begin to take ownership of the business goals.

To further increase the wins for management means to infuse goals within other areas such as performance reviews and project management. Of course total success is dependent upon an executable strategic plan that is regularly shared and updated with all employees.

Employees should also have their own strategic plan or action plan that looks to six key areas of personal development:

• Mental
• Physical
• Family
• Social
• Career/Financial
• Ethics/Beliefs

When these areas are balanced to the four key areas of the organization that being time management, productivity, sales and leadership, creates the whats in it for me (WIIFM) that leads to whats in it for us (WIIFU).

Consistent goal achievement is both a skill and an attitude. When management embraces this simple strategy, the organization can quickly double results and move forward at warp speed.

P.S. Read the previous article How to Improve the Management Wins for Winning Business Teams Part 6: Build Organizational Alignment

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation