Goal Achievement Strategies That Work

This article has been accepted for publication in the February 2004 issue of Executive Memo, the online newsletter for the Colorado Society of Association Executives

Goal Achievement Strategies
That Work
By Barbara Brown, PhD

What do you think the impact on your association would be if only 44% of your staff members understood your association’s goals, only 49% knew what they were supposed to do to support those goals, and only 33% felt rewarded for doing things that supported those goals? Not positive, that’s for sure! But that’s what a recent FranklinCovey XQ survey of 11,045 adult workers revealed.

Whether you have a staff of 1 or 100, it’s vital that you reinforce the practices and behaviors required to maximize achievement of your association’s goals. When that happens, staff members will make the kind of contributions that lead to positive bottom-line results. Consider these strategies.

Involve staff in setting goals

Make sure everyone is not only aware of your association’s goals, but has input in developing them. This type of upfront involvement allows staff members to take ownership right from the start. Thomas Cooper, CAE, Executive Director of Perioperative Registered Nurses in Denver, has a staff of 100. One involvement approach at his association includes inviting anyone to attend discussions on major products and offerings. As goals evolve from these discussions, staff members also participate in the planning and implementation. According to Cooper, “Our staff says they appreciate the opportunity to participate and are learning more about what the association does and what other staffs do.”

Use these strategies to involve your staff:

· Allow staff to participate in goal discussions with board members, committee members, or other staff members.
· Allow staff to provide input in writing “before” goals are developed.
· Allow staff to provide input in writing “after” goals are developed, but “before” they are finalized.

Keep staff informed

Keep your staff in the feedback loop about goals progress by giving updates and soliciting input. Staff can then make timely improvements. Meghan Kelly, Executive Director of the Colorado Manufactured Housing Association, has a staff of one. Every third week, she and her staff member assess their progress by looking at strengths and weaknesses that impact goal achievements.

Use these strategies to keep your staff informed:

· Give staff copies of strategic plans or other goal-related materials.
· Place a list of the Top 10 goals for your association in your office as well as in a public place.
· Create a progress chart that tracks the achievement of goals.

Link staff performance to outcomes

Staff members understand which critical tasks drive positive results when you create strong links between goal achievement and performance outcomes. Jack Hoffbuhr, Executive Director at the Denver headquarters office of the American Water Works Association has a staff of 152. Goals in the performance plans of all his staff members are directly aligned with goals in the association’s strategic plan.

Use these strategies to link staff performance to outcomes:

· Link goals in staff performance plans to association goals.
· At the beginning of each month, have a meeting and create links between your staff’s highest priorities and association goals.
· When discussing projects, problems, or solutions create links to association goals.

Recognize staff contributions

To be effective, recognition must be meaningful and continuous. This requires learning what motivates staff members beyond the receipt of a paycheck. It also means consistently letting staff know that you appreciate their efforts. Hoffbuhr says their association strongly believes in teamwork. They reinforce this belief with a gain-sharing program. Kelly highlights her association’s non-monetary benefits such as autonomy, flexibility, and good board relationships. Cooper’s association has created a Kudos and Congratulations segment which includes a monthly compilation of feedback from members about individual staff actions. For other recognition ideas, check out 1001 Ways To Energize Employees by best selling author Bob Nelson, or visit www.nelson-motivation.com.

Use these strategies to recognize staff contributions:

· Have a monthly goal-achievement celebration that includes cookies, ice cream, pizza, etc.
· Use non-monetary rewards such as allowing extra time off, working on a special project, or putting staff pictures in your newsletter.
· When goals are achieved, show how these achievements resulted in a win-win for the staff and the association: less complaints, more compliments, more flexibility, etc.

Keeping it all together

Staff members will consistently do what’s necessary to achieve association goals when they feel valued for doing valuable work. This happens when you involve staff and reinforce their contributions. It’s up to you to do just that.

~~<<>>~~

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: Articles, Tips, and Tools can be reprinted in company newsletters or magazines. If placed electronically, a Live Link to Dr. Brown's website must be included. Please use the following credit for every item: Dr. Barbara Brown shows organizations how to use High-Performance Leadership to create the kind of links among people, goals & performance that produce positive results. For more tips, visit: www.DrBarbaraBrown.com or email: Barbara@DrBarbaraBrown.com.