Management Fundamentals 7th Edition by Robert N. Lussier

Exercise 20

For this exercise, you will first work at improving ineffective objectives. Then you will write nine objectives for yourself.

Objective

To develop your skill at writing objectives.

Skills

The primary skills developed through this exercise are:

1. Management skill – decision making (setting objectives is the first step to planning)

---

2. AACSB competencies – communication abilities and analytic skills

---

3. Management function – planning (both strategic and operational)

Part 1

Indicate which of the “must” criteria each of the following objectives fails to meet and rewrite the objective so that it meets all those criteria. When writing objectives, use the following model:

To + action verb + single, specific, and measurable result + target date

1. To improve our company image by the end of 2014

Criteria not met: ___________________________

_______________________________________________

Improved objective:___________________________

_______________________________________________

2. To increase the number of customers by 10 percent

Criteria not met: ___________________________

_______________________________________________

Improved objective:___________________________

_______________________________________________

3. To increase profits during 2013

Criteria not met: ___________________________

_______________________________________________

Improved objective:___________________________

_______________________________________________

4. To sell 5 percent more hot dogs and soda at the baseball game on Sunday, June 14, 2012

Criteria not met: ___________________________

_______________________________________________

Improved objective:___________________________

_______________________________________________

Part 2

Write three educational, three personal, and three career objectives you want to accomplish. Your objectives can be short-term (something you want to accomplish today) or long-term (something you want to have accomplished 20 years from now) or in between those extremes. Be sure your objectives meet the criteria for effective objectives.

Educational Objectives

1. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Personal Objectives

1. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Career Objectives

1. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Apply It

What did I learn from this experience? How will I use this knowledge in the future?

________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Your instructor may ask you to do this Skill Builder in class in a group. If so, the instructor will provide you with any necessary information or additional instructions.

Step 1 of 8

Part 1

1. To improve our company image by the end of 2014.

Criteria not met: Single, specific measurable result.

Improved Objective: To make our company number one in brand recognition by the end of 2014.