Goals Grid - A new tool for strategic review

The 1st of January is generally a time people set goals for the year ahead.

Most set goals for the things they'd like to achieve but achievement focused goal setting centres around the things you don't have that you'd like to have.

Fred Nickols created a new tool for goal setting called a goals grid which he argues provides a much more comprehensive set of goals. I think this is very useful in a business sense and follows on closely from another strategic planning tool called a SWOT analysis.

Here is a quick summary of his work:

What Is the Goals Grid?
It is a 2x2 matrix constructed by examining the Yes and No answers to two very basic questions: (1) Do you want something? (2) Do you have it? The interplay of the Yes and No answers to these questions defines four basic categories for goals and objectives:

• If you want something you don’t have, (Y/N) your goal is to obtain it (ACHIEVE).
• If you want something you already have (Y/Y), your goal or aim is to keep it (PRESERVE).
• If there’s something you don’t want and don’t have (N/N), your goal is to avoid it (AVOID). 
• If there’s something you don’t want but have (N/Y), your goal is to get rid of it (ELIMINATE). 

What Benefits Does the Goals Grid Offer?

• An effective method for developing group consensus on future achievements for the organization (achieve)
• Follows a logical progression of thought for goal development and decision making (achieve, preserve, avoid, and eliminate)
• A great discussion generator for an analysis of current services, products, programs, and direction of the organisation (preserve and eliminate)
• Offers advantages over conventional flip-chart lists of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats because of the simplicity and usefulness of the information generated

How Do I Make Use of the Goals Grid?
That’s easy, just download our grid and start using it. We suggest brainstorming sessions of no-longer than  15 minutes. 

Make 2020 the year you start your new health or beauty brand and take advantage of our casual, hourly use rooms for rent.

Example grid