Views-Commentary

We deliver the results that will grow your bottom line

Go Home

RonProCon

power-produce

A consulting group serving the produce and floral industries

"We don't tell you what you want to hear - We tell you what you need to hear"

CALL US NOW

775-853-7056

Return to Home Page

This Website is designed and maintained By Ron Pelger - RonProCon

"In the Trenches"
can only be found in
THE PRODUCE NEWS

Commentary - Views

Commentary By Ron Pelger

Get off the goals and shoot for targets instead

At one time, when we became quite successful in reaching our business budget, we began taking matters for granted. We felt that everything was working and that it would continue to work in our favor. Our goals were all being achieved and the upper management was happy.

But then something awful happened. The goals were starting to develop cracks. Soon after, some holes occurred and we found ourselves struggling to play catch up.

We swiftly learned a lesson on our complacent reliability to just be comfortable with meeting the so called - "budgeted goals." That "we've got it in the bag" attitude got us in trouble instead. Goals are in hockey, not in business.

Instead of just using the term "goal," we began putting "target" into our business vocabulary. To me, a goal is like a barometer. Did you ever see those barometers that schools or charity fund raisers draw on a poster board? The goal is set on the barometer at a specific number on the top. Then the barometer tube is colored in with red as the numbers keep climbing. When the goal number is reached, most of the crew tends to take a deep breath and relax. They reached the planned level and can all slow down and rest.

Isn't that a shame? Everything has come to a halt. But just reaching the goal line isn't enough these days. Companies have to go the extra ten yards or more to score more points. It takes doing the "over and above" nowadays just to survive.

The right word is "target." Targets should be set instead of goals. Targets set at "winning" will produce "winners." Goals set at "one level" may only get to that level, but nothing extra due to a slowdown when met.

Aim aggressively at the target and you'll hit it everytime.

View

It's absolutely amazing as to how many companies are still bottled up in their own archaic traditional habits trying to do business today. There are salespeople trying to sell their product with a dog and pony act, which has gone by the wayside many years ago. On the other hand, there can still be found those gruesome, straight jawwed buyers who hard-nosedly insist on only price as a main reason to take on product.

Business people like these are just putting in time and going through the motions. They are holding us all back. We've got to weed them out.