Some thoughts on Business Goals

A common business practice is to distinguish between short-term and long term business goals. Short-term goals are less than 12 months, therefore they are more tactical in nature. Everything above 12 months is a long-term goal and is more strategic. Short-term goals should be detailed, specific and measurable. The timelines should be realistic but challenging so that you have a reasonable chance to achieve them. A project plan with specific actions by specific people would be an example for a short-term goal. The tricky and most important part is to tie the short-term goals to the more lofty long-term goals. Have you had a situation where you implemented a “quick fix” just to see it becoming a permanent fix? Keep track of your “quick fixes” and ensure they don’t contradict your long-term goals. Also don’t set too many long-term goals because you

• want your team and you to remember all the goals
• want to decrease the chance that some of the goals are contradicting
• want to keep your team motivated by making progress towards these goals