The agriculture industry is a competitive one. Big players across the market are constantly finding new and improved technology and processes to get ahead. Goal setting plays a big part in business success for this market. Are you confident in your business’s ability to set and achieve ambitious goals? Here’s what you need to know about goal setting to help your employees connect with the big picture, and make your business thrive in a competitive environment.

1. Communicate Your Ambitions

Goal setting is all well and good, but if you are failing to communicate those objectives with your staff, the likelihood of your business achieving those goals is very low. Employees get excited and become more engaged with the company when they see and understand how they fit into the bigger picture. Give them a team to root for, to participate in, and you will have employees committed to your quarterly business objectives. Reward them for their efforts and accomplishments, but don’t forget to communicate the impact their work has on the overall growth and success of the company they are investing their careers in.

2. Set Intense Goals

Intense goals are meant to move the business forward, to grow or change in ways that will potentially be uncomfortable but will set the stage for future success. Think about goals such as acquiring a competitor, offering a new service or expanding into new markets. These are long-term ambitions that will shape the future of the company. Don’t be shy about what direction you see the business taking.

3. Limit Your Goals

A big part of helping your ag team achieve more is not overloading them with too many goals. By limiting your team to the essential objectives within a certain time period, you are better able to focus their efforts and increase the likelihood of success. It can even be dangerous to set too many initiative-style goals within a quarter, because failing to complete one or two of those milestones can do more damage than you think. Enthusiasm may flag. Productivity could drop. And employee engagement in future goals may be at risk. Keep moving forward at a realistic pace, and acknowledge when you are not able to accomplish the goals you set. The lessons from that failure are very valuable, but make sure you are not asking too much in too short a period of time.

4. Also Set Sustaining Goals

Sustaining goals are a complement to intense goals. They focus on the company’s core operations and what is needed to maintain or improve operations in a quarter. Sustaining goals are very important to include in the mix every planning period. There is more room for sustaining goals within a given time. Four or even five sustaining goals are not unreasonable.

5. Highlight Ongoing Work

Goals are meant to support ongoing work as well as generate interest and excitement for new projects. Don’t forget to think strategically about how your team can improve on and maintain critical processes well into the future. Know what’s working for your company and make sure it has the focus and support it needs to keep pace with a rapidly evolving agricultural market.

Is your business ready to grow?

For more advice on growing your ag business in the digital age, contact the industry experts at Ag 1 Source today.