How do you achieve objectives?

To achieve an objective, it is important to establish strategic action plans, which simply state:

• What is to be done?
• How will it be done?
• Who will do it?
• When will it be completed?
• What resources are needed (finance, people, equipment, etc)?
• How will we know we are on track?

Action plans can be viewed like projects that need to be completed to achieve the stated objective, which in turn contributes to the overall accomplishment of the business goal and ultimately the business’s vision.

It is possible that more than one action plan is required to accomplish an objective.

For example, to achieve an increase in OTC medicine sales, the business may have several plans:

1. All staff must be trained in OTC symptoms and products
2. Merchandising OTC medicines to achieve increased sales.

It is important to prioritise these action plans. Will merchandising the OTC medicine section achieve the objective more quickly than training all staff or vice versa? By prioritising, you will then focus resources correctly.

Trying to achieve too many things at the one time will result in confusion, frustration and a lack of motivation, particularly when key milestones are missed.

 

The next step is to put these ideas into action. Finish by recording your learning outcomes.