Teryl @ Work

Does too much of a stretch impact motivation?    Over many years of setting (and trying to achieve) targets and budgets, getting the balance right between stretch and motivation remains a challenge. I love Jim Collins and Jerry Porras and their BHAGs in their great book, Built to Last, but if the goals are seen as unachievable too early in the business year, what then? Is there a way for businesses to achieve success without budgets and targets in place? Two old favourites " You can only manage what you can measure" and "People do what managers measure" suggest that they can't.  I am sure there must be successful businesses with different methodologies, but most of us need to work towards something. With that in mind, I think there needs to be stretch, and there needs to be a sense of achievability. Why would you race against Usain Bolt unless you think you could win? The same goes for budgets and targets, people need to believe they are possible. ...