Why Business Struggle?

And How Goal Setting Can Help? in one minute video

Manal Reda , Sr.Sales manager who had navigated some of the most challenging business landscapes.

Her calm demeanor masked the incredible stories of Resilience and Growth she’d experienced.

“Manal, you’ve handled some tough situations,” I began.

“What’s your secret to overcoming challenges and steering your team to success every time?”

Manal smiled, her expression thoughtful. “It wasn’t always this way,” she admitted. “I’ve been through times where nothing seemed to work—strategies failing, targets unmet, and a demotivated team. But then I came across a book that shifted everything:

Measure What Matters by John Doerr.“

A Challenging Beginning

She leaned forward, her tone softening. “There was a time, early in my career, when I inherited a struggling franchise. Sales were stagnant, morale was low, and no one seemed to have a clear sense of direction. I tried everything but nothing clicked. I felt lost, and so did the team."

I nodded, recognizing the frustration she described. “So, what changed?”

Discovering OKRs

“One day, during a particularly frustrating week, a mentor of mine recommended Measure What Matters. I read it in a weekend,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “The concept of OKRs—Objectives and Key Results—was like a lightbulb going off in my head.”

Curious, I pressed further. “What made OKRs so different?”

Manal explained, “The beauty of OKRs is their simplicity. They force you to clarify your objective—the What—and align it with measurable key results—the How. And here’s the magic: they’re transparent. Everyone in the organization sees the goals and how their work contributes.”

Turning the Business Around

Manal sat back; her confidence evident. “When I implemented OKRs, the transformation was gradual but undeniable.

For example, instead of setting a vague goal like ‘increase sales,’ we defined a clear objective: ‘achieve 10% sales growth by Q4.’ Then, we broke it into measurable key results:

1.Convert 30% of inbound leads by optimizing the sales process.

2.Launch three new marketing campaigns targeting untapped segments.

3.Improve customer retention by implementing a loyalty program.

“It wasn’t just about setting the goals,” she continued, “But Tracking Them. We held weekly check-ins, and seeing measurable progress inspired the team. Slowly, things began to turn around.”

Lessons from the Journey

“What was the biggest lesson?” I asked.

Manal paused before replying, “Clarity and Alignment”. Everyone on the team knew what we were working toward and why it mattered.

There was no room for confusion or misalignment. We became a unified force.”

She added, “We didn’t just hit our 10% growth target—we exceeded it. And it wasn’t a one-time win. That mindset became part of our culture.”

What's Your OKR in 2025?