Smarter goals in Covid times.

A week before Christmas I wrote a blog post for my Trailrunningman website about my SMART running goals being wrecked by COVID-19. They were SMART goals based on races and as these were either cancelled, postponed, or went virtual - my running focus was gone and I was drifting. It occurred to me that this will be the same for many businesses; the COVID-19 restrictions making business plans impossible to implement.

I got my running back on track by redefining what SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timebound) stood for. I devised the new acronym when I remembered that some smart (alec) management consultant came up with SMARTER goals where the ‘E’ stood for empowering and the ‘R’ for revisable. The race cancellations, due to Covid-19 restrictions, had made me feel powerless; if I revised things, I could take back control. SMART now stands for Simple, Mindful, Absorbing, Reconnecting. Therapeutic. I’m enjoying being out on those tracks, which are very muddy at the moment, which is how Trailrunningman likes them.

To get your business back on track redefine SMART to take advantage of the new conditions and opportunities. The first one I would change is Achievable, I have never liked it, I think it holds people back; it’s about doing what you know. I live by the quote on the back of one of my running tee shirts.

The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible. – Arthur C Clarke.

Here is my suggestion

Sustainable – this is not just about being environmental it is about building something that will go on forever, something that can adapt to change and something you can commit to without running out of steam. Stella growth is not something to chase if it results in burnout.

Meaningful – increasingly customers and employees want to associate with organisations that match their values. Very few people worship mammon.

Agile – the COVID-19 crisis has seen businesses that are swift of foot prosper and those that are slow to change go to the wall. Agile is also a useful project management methodology. One of the top Agile Conferences is hosted in Cornwall – Agile on the Beach.

Resilient – there will no doubt be further shocks to the economy and business activity. Building systems that can cope is key. Invest in people, training and competencies rather than plans in concrete.

Thoughtfulness – organisations that treat their customers, suppliers, employees and communities well will be building a support bubble that will help the business in tough times.

What will your new SMART acronym stand for?