At McElroy, goal-setting is an important management activity that we take seriously and monitor closely. At the beginning of each year, each person on our middle management team must submit three written, specific, measurable goals for his or her department, which are published companywide in our employee newsletter, Ops Notes. These goals are closely monitored during the year, including a quarterly formal update. Then at the end of each year, reports on goals met and other accomplishments are again published in Ops Notes.

We are particularly proud to report on the following goals that were achieved in 2005:

• Ported our internal, custom-built workflow system, ELJOTS^®, from Microsoft Access to SQL Server. This is significant because it will allow us to implement many wonderful new features for internal staff users and for the benefit of our clients.
• Provided formal training or education to 66% of our employees (our stated goal was 50%).
• Developed a disaster contingency and recovery plan.
• Added SDLX to our translation memory toolbox.
• Shortened our standard turnaround time for certain types of projects.
• Implemented the “Green Light Special” on our website (be sure and check it out!), and our “Golden Rule Service Guarantee.”
• Designed and executed a customer survey.
• Took several more steps toward an all-electronic workflow by eliminating the last of our paper-filing routines and restructuring file storage and maintenance on our network server.

Some of our goals for 2006 include:

• Implement the ASTM quality process standard and the J2450 product quality metric.
• Update our employee handbook, and expand our employee website.
• Revamp our client newsletter and website in conjunction with developing an e-zine and blog.
• Complete a major upgrade to ELJOTS^® by June 30.
• Focus on client retention and referral, sales staff expansion and training, and revenue growth.
• Develop our project management staff, through training, presenting at industry events, participating in PMI (Project Management Institute), and writing internal guidelines.

Are you setting goals for yourself? your department? your company? If not, give it a try, and see if helps you move further toward where you want to be at the end of the year. Remember, make your goals SMART¾specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and tangible (from Paul J. Meyer’s Attitude Is Everything). Happy goal-setting!