Setting Goals for your Association
Updated: May. 19, 2015 | Categories: Goal Setting
What you measure changes.
When setting your association’s goals and objectives for 2014, a good place to start is by figuring out what you want to change.
It's important to set “SMART” (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) goals, and measuring your goals is a key aspect of the framework.
Quantify Your Goal
Do you want this year to be primarily about growing membership? Or are you looking for non-membership ways to increase your organization’s revenue? What about increasing attendance to regular meetings?
Consider picking one item to concentrate on for the coming year.
Once you’ve determined what you want to focus on, determine the baseline and track your progress - be it total members, revenue or attendance – on a regular basis.
Strategy
Just as important as knowing what you want to change is how you plan to carry out the change.
What strategy will you use?
Will it be a new marketing or sales tactic? Will it be changes to how you conduct events and meetings?
Strategy is how you plan to get to the goal. Your goal will not change throughout the year, but your strategy might.
Measure, Measure, Measure
By measuring your goal regularly, you will be able to determine how well your strategy is working.
You don’t need a complicated report to keep track of your association’s goal. A simple spreadsheet or membership management software report can give you the perspective you need.
Try a monthly reporting schedule to keep your goals at top of mind. Review your strategy quarterly to determine if your methods are working.
Consistent measurement and reporting will guide you towards meeting your association’s annual goal.
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