Whether it’s a marketing plan or a marriage proposal, achieving long-term success starts with a good idea of what you are getting yourself into. The more work you put in at the start, the better your chances of seeing your dreams come true.
Of course, determining what your objective is can be the biggest obstacle. But the process doesn’t have to be intimidating, as there are a lot of tools at your disposal to help you determine where to begin and what to define.
A popular way to accomplish this is to establish S.M.A.R.T goals. (By going to https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/essential-guide-writing-smart-goals, you’ll find a SMART GOALS PDF from Smartsheet that you can download). SMART goals are a way to help you define what you want to accomplish and help guide you through the process. It stands for:
- SPECIFIC: State what you want to achieve. Each objective should have a plan.
- MEASURABLE: Provide a way to measure your progress. Whether you base it on profits, increased sales or something else, you must define it enough so that it is easily trackable: A percentage or a specific target number for example.
- ACHIEVABLE: Make sure it is within the realm of possibility, even if it means learning new skills.
- RELEVANT: It makes sense within your job responsibilities and fits your business goals.
- TIME-BOUND: Provide a timeframe and target date on when you want the goal accomplished.
Using SMART Goals works best when you clearly define your specifics. For example, increasing sales by 20% over the next year is a quantifiable goal and states a single objective. It’s also important as you establish your smart goals to have some Key Performance Indicators (KPI). These measurables are what you can use to gauge the performance of your goals over time. They vary by company and industry, so make sure to base these measurables on the pertinent aspects of your business.
Remember, keep your goals concise, clear and attainable. When you have a good plan for what you want to achieve, it can make all the difference between success and failure.
defining marketing objectives • S.M.A.R.T goals
