Goals and objectives.
Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:11AM Do we really need both? What's the difference anyway? Let's consult our good friends at dictionary.com.
goal [gohl]
noun
1. the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
objective [uh
b-jek-tiv]
noun
1. something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; goal; target.
Ah-HA! So, no; there's really no difference. Therefore "goals and objectives" is merely another phrase spawned by business people who persist in thinking more is more. This would be opposed to writer people who know that less is more.
I have established some goals (I'll use the one-syllable version, if that's okay with all the MBAs in the room). They are:
- Secure 50 Facebook fans by the end of the year. I currently boast 44. This is "do-able."
- Sell 200 copies of WHOSS by the end of the year. To-date, I have sold 180* copies. This is...well. "Do-able?"
That's it. Two goals before the end of the year. It's only 14 days away, after all. My friend Pete insists I should aim higher and set 300 as my year-end sales goal. Sounds to me as though my friend Pete has some work to do, then.
As for the rest of us, let's see what we can do to spread the word, shall we?
* Those of you who received my e-mail about this yesterday when the count was 179...YES! I sold another book in the interim.
Reader Comments (2)
Just left a meeting with a new buzzword. You'll love this, "socialize." No, not in the sense you're expecting. More like this: "She will socialize the information among her team beginning tomorrow morning." That's almost as bad as "ask." As in "What is your ask?" At least I no longer work for the one who constantly said, "Irregardless." Sigh.
And people wonder where I get some of my ideas... Again, some things you just can't make up!