If you were to ask 100 different business professionals from various industries what the most important rule in business is, I would bet you a bundle that you would get at least 70 different answers.
Many would say it is all about as much profit as possible, others would insist that serving the customer is rule number one, some would be passionate about rapid growth or possibly exceeding the endless list of ratios that business gurus write long-winded books about.
My vote would be this: To set precise, clear, intelligent, achievable stretch goals that everyone in your company understands and buys into. Of course the more employees who have participated in the creation process, the more buy in company goals will receive.
If the employees of a company understand the rules of the game, how the score is tallied, what the end result will be and how achieving agreed on company goals impacts them as individuals, all the stars will line up.
It’s a game changer
It sounds so easy yet many companies, large and small, fail to accomplish this simple yet elusive game changer.
A few simple tasks can get you started.
Step 1—Communicate the process to all employees with specific goals.
Step 2—Seek input from all company department heads. If you are employed by a small company, seek input from everyone.
Step 3—Designate a representative from each department to act as liaison between management and rank and file employees.
Step 4—Hold brief company meetings or have conference calls to keep all employees informed as to the progress of the program. Seek input from non-management employees as well.
Step 5—Be open to constructive criticism and make changes when appropriate. No one person has all the answers.
Step 6—Develop milestones based on the agreed on goals that can be measured.
Step 7—Measure the progress of the program monthly or at least quarterly and share the results with all employees.
Step 8—Be consistent communicating and do not lose passion for the program.
Use these steps to engage your employees and the entire company in a plan that will help lead to future success for everyone.
