In Principles of Management by Mason
Carpenter, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan the question is raised “What are
goals and objectives?”
The answer of these authors, which is reflective of
contemporary managerial thinking, is as follows:
Goals
and objectives provide the foundation for measurement. Goals are outcome
statements that define what an organization is trying to accomplish, both
programmatically and organizationally. Goals are usually a collection of
related programs, a reflection of major actions of the organization, and
provide rallying points for managers. For example, Wal-Mart might state a
financial goal of growing its revenues 20% per year or have a goal of growing
the international parts of its empire. Try to think of each goal as a large umbrella
with several spokes coming out from the center. The umbrella itself is a goal.
In
contrast to goals, objectives are very precise, time-based, measurable actions
that support the completion of a goal. Objectives typically must (1) be related
directly to the goal; (2) be clear, concise, and understandable; (3) be stated
in terms of results; (4) begin with an action verb; (5) specify a date for
accomplishment; and (6) be measurable. Apply our umbrella analogy and think of
each spoke as an objective. Going back to the Wal-Mart example, and in support
of the company’s 20% revenue growth goal, one objective might be to “open 20
new stores in the next six months.” Without specific objectives, the general
goal could not be accomplished—just as an umbrella cannot be put up or down
without the spokes. Importantly, goals and objectives become less useful when
they are unrealistic or ignored. For instance, if your university has set goals
and objectives related to class sizes but is unable to ever achieve them, then
their effectiveness as a management tool is significantly decreased.
In light of these criteria, consider the goals
and objectives for Southbridge’s Town Manager as approved by our Town
Council and posted yesterday on the town website.
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Southbridge
Town Manager – Goals and Objectives
Budget and Facilities
Balanced
Budget - Town Manager must work with all department heads
and Town Accountant to bring forward a balanced budget to the Town Council.
This will allow the town move forward in a fiscally prudent manner.
Facilities
Management Plan - Southbridge has no long term plan in
place to deal with the towns [sic] current
infrastructure. A new plan needs to be developed that looks at current and long
term facility needs of the town. This document will provide extremely valuable
information to the town to protect our assets.
Energy
Savings through efficent [sic] lighting for town departments
– Work with utility company to develop a program that saves tax dollars and
improves energy efficency [sic]
throughout town buildings.
Professional Staff
Hiring
of Permanent Police Chief - Interview companies to establish
an appropriate testing process for the Police Chiefs exam and select a company
to develop an Assessment Center. Insure fairness to all candiates [sic] and hire a qualified Police Chief who will
lead this important public saftey [sic]
department into the future.
Hiring
of a Permanent DPW Director – Once the proposed charter change
is apporved [sic] by voters of
Southbridge the Town Manager will work to hire a quilified [sic] professional for
the position of DPW Director. This is one of the key staff positons and needs
to be filled with a quality candidate.
Hiring
of town employees in general – The Town Manager
will insure that all individuals have an equal opportunity when applying for a
position with the town of Southbridge. All hires shall be qualified for the
position applied for and should be thoughly [sic] vetted prior to
being hired for any town position. The Town Manager shall consider the
diveristy [sic] of the community when evaluting [sic] canididates [sic].
Professional
Development – The Town Manager whenever possible
should provide the opportunity for professional development of employees. The
Town Manager should meet regularly with department heads to insure a team
environment and do his best to motivate employees to succeed in thier goals and
objectives. Managers should be reviewed on an annual basis for performance and
opportunity for improvement.
Open and Transparent Government
Communication
with Town Council and Citizens - The Town Manager
shall keep the Town Council and citizens informed of government activities and
promote positive events that are happening throughout Southbridge.
Utilize
all sources of media – The Town Manager needs to utilize
newpapers[sic], newsletters, the town
website, and social media to increase positive communication with all parties.
Every effort should be made to highlight the town in a positive way in order to
improve the reputation of the town. This will help to increase property values
and attract business to our community.
Positive
Relationships with the Southbridge school administration
– Given the importance of quality education the Town Manager should work
cooperatively with the School Suprintendent [sic] and the School
Committee. The Town Council should be keep informed of any issus [sic]
that they may need to address as it relates to the school system.
Soutbridge
[sic] Bicentenial [sic] Celebration
– The 200th anniversary of the town will occur this year. The Town Manager of
the town needs to support the efforts of the town to celebrate this special occasion.
Coordination of various town departments will be needed to insure the success
of numerous events that will be held in honor of this occassion[sic].
Business Community and Economic Development
The town of Southbridge must work with all town
businesses to improve their [sic] opportuinty [sic]
for successful opporations [sic] within our community.
Manufacturing
– The Town Manager should work with exisiting [sic] manuafacturers [sic]
and our new Econmic [sic] Develpment [sic] Director to improve the
business climate and to educate companies as to local and state support. Town
government while needing to have establshed [sic] rules and
regulations must work in a cooperative effort to facilitate the needs of the
business community.
Retail
– The Town Manager needs to work with existing retailers to improve the
business climate in town. Working with the Economic Development Director the
town should try to reestablish the Down Town Partnership in order to foster
communication among all retailers.
Industrial
Park
– While it is understood that the current industrial park has various
challenges the town must make every effort at preparing that land for future
development. The property that is available needs to be defined and lots need
to be marketed for potential economic developemnt [sic] opportunities.
Longterm [sic] Town Developement [sic]
Master
Plan
- The Town Manager needs to work to implement the Southbridge Master Plan and to
work with all citizens to facilitiate [sic] the completion of the goals and objectives
that have been established by the community.
Southbridge
Airport – Continue efforts to improve the airport. Work to
reopen the airport diner and coordinate activites [sic] with regard to the
opening of the new administration building. Develop with DPW Director the plan
and implementaiton [sic] of a new sewer line to the airport.
Redevelopement
[sic] of the Mary E. Wells Jr. High
- Complete Purchase and Sale Agreement with Arch Street Development to
redevelop the school into quality rental units for our seniors. Keep the Town
Council informed of the progress and work with the developer to help insure the
success of the project.
Town
Solar Project – The Town Manager will work with all
parties to negotiate a Solar Ground Lease with Melink Corporation. The Contract
shall offer significant benefits to the Town of Southbridge and increase the
supply of green energy to grid. This project is important to the Town of
Southbridge and the Town Council will have the opportunity to vote to approve
the negotiated contract.
Blight
– The Town of Southbridge believes it is in the best interests of the citizens
of the Town of Southbridge for their health, safety and wellbeing to control
Blighted Properties facing foreclosure or otherwise. We would like the Town
Manager to work to resolve blight issues and improve the general appearance of
the town.
Building
Demolition- There are many old abandoned residential and
commercial properties in town that in need of demolition. We would like the
Town Manager to continue to work with the Building Commissioner to continue
efforts to tear down these properties.
Education
Positive
Relationship with Southbridge School District – In order to
provide a quality education for all the children of Southbridge the Town
Manager must work in cooperation with the School Superintendent. He also should
review the school budget and be prepared to make recommendations to the Town
Council.
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What we have here is a set of vapid and virtually
meaningless statements. Exactly where are any measurable criteria against which
the manager’s performance can be evaluated?
I’ve noted before that we have yet to have any
serious evaluation of the Town Manager.
The situation is hardly improved by evaluation
against a meaningless set of criteria.
Do we know who prepared this document?
ReplyDeleteSupposedly they were prepared at a Council of the Whole meeting on March 9 which Chairman Carrasco decided did not need to be televised.
DeleteI like the phrase " Once the proposed charter change is approved". I think they're putting the cart before the horse.
ReplyDeleteBoth RL & KO are former Councilors. Is it true that Town Councilors have been told in tbe past that if they do not vote a certain way, they can be personally sued ?
ReplyDeleteIf this is true, voting on certain subhects must be a very difficult choice.
Is it true?
Not true.
DeleteThere are/ have been councilors who are convinced that there's only one way to vote on certain issues. They believe voting the other way is morally, ethically or financially wrong. I've been told that if I didn't vote the "right" way I was opening myself up to a lawsuit. Of course, nothing ever came of those threats.
DeleteIt would be great if there was an informal group of former Council members that would come up with goals and objectives for consideration.
ReplyDeleteIt could serve as an incredible resource, it would be harder for law firms and managers and businesses to pull the wool over the current Councils eyes,and could make a hard job easier for those Councilors smart enough to benefit from the knowledge base.
What do other towns' "goals documents" look like? Couldn't they have at least plagiarized some other town's version?
ReplyDeleteI went to focused on Southbridge and read your conversation with counselor Auclair and her boyfriend. You were absolutely right. All she wants to do is talk a big game for the voters but when it comes to actually doing something that will make a difference the weaseling begins.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Many
ReplyDeletethanks, However I am having difficulties with your RSS.
I don?t understand why I can't subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS
issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond?
Thanks!!