"Employee Goals & Objectives for 2008"

It's the end of the year and requestd for goals and objectives will begin for 2008.

The following example are goals and objectives that could come from a Department Head to his/her boss.

I developed some of the examples from some of my own (names/info changed) goals and objectives from the past.

The important things to remember are to include realistic means of measure that will allow you to meet corporate goals and objectives that should have been developed first before you and your team create your own (seldom done & people wonder why they never get done or accomplished). All goals and objectives must be aligned from the top to the bottom and then communicated and EXPLAINED through out the company.

Please note that the example below are high level and need to be in much more detail in the form of strategy and responsibilities.

Double CLICK on EACH Slide To Enlarge - Then Click on 4 arrows for more clarity.

I hope this provides a model that can be used for you and your employees.

To see my model on Team Goals & Objectives go to http://qualityg.blogspot.com/2008/07/team-goals-and-objectives.html

To read more posts on Employee Goals and Objectives click on the label below or on the left side bar.

qualityg

Retired Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez speaks out and so does qualityg

WHEN IS IT TIME TO SPEAK OUT?

Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez former leader of the Iraq forces blasted the Bush administration recently for a “catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan” and denounced the current “surge” strategy as a “desperate” move that will not achieve long-term stability.

“There was been a glaring and unfortunate display of incompetent strategic leadership within our national leaders,” he said, adding later in his remarks that civilian officials have been “derelict in their duties” and guilty of a “lust for power.”

These are some pretty strong words. I’m not going to comment on his remarks. I would rather comment on why he made these after he had the job and why did it take so long (I hope there is no book on the way).

Perhaps General Sanchez is like most of us feel when it comes to speaking our minds in what we believe to be the truth must be weighed against what you would lose to do it why you are still working. I suppose the whistleblower Protection Act provides some legal protection but other than that you are on your own. Don’t look to co-workers for help because they too are weighing the risk of job loss, resentment and embarrassment. Unfortunately they will disown you in a heartbeat. Can I blame them? No, but would I do it? Depends if I believe the complaint/cause is true. And, if it would put too many people at risk other than myself.

I am generally regarded to be outspoken and one that is not afraid to take on the establishment, my bosses or whomever I believe is dictating “Absolute Power” (http://qualityg.blogspot.com/2005/08/leadership-absolute-arrogant-power.html) over myself or against someone I know that needs help, if I believe in their cause.

What makes me do this? Perhaps the right to do so and all the books I’ve read about King Arthur influenced me. In the movie Richard Harris says, “Not might makes right, but might for right.”

To me the secret of picking “The right castle to die on depends on how much knowledge (might) you have on the subject. I have said this and written this in many of my posts:

“Knowledge Is The Great Equalizer”

When one can supply objective facts, figures, examples and experience it allows one to play at the same poker table with anyone. Oh yes, it still is a gamble to risk all the reasons I mentioned above, but it comes to soul searching and picking the right castle.

Dr. Deming said, “ No one has to change. Survival is optional.”

CHANGE AND BALANCE MEAN EVERYTHING

The hardest part about change is when a time comes and a decision has to be made as to accept and absorb it or remain in your present state of expertise or stupidity.

Dr. Deming said, “ No one has to change.

Survival is optional.”

Sources:

http://www.langfordlearning.com/about-us/

http://maaw.info/DemingMain.htm

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/w_edwards_deming.html

http://www.transformationforum.org/Quotes.html

With change comes a balance that must be measured and monitored to make sure too much or too little affects your being in a negative manner.

Change and balance are on going in a continual manner that must be a condition through out your life.

Three examples can prove this theory best. Our Body, Our Educational System and Business Expertise.

Our body goes through a continual change through out our lifetime. As we age and grow wiser we must balance our internal system (i.e., organs) with that of our lifestyle (i.e., health and eating). What one organ does affects the whole body. If one organ is too stressed (positive or negative) or out of balance then negative changes occur. Simply put our body is a system with many interdependent processes that must be aligned.

Evolution is key, one can admit when the times are changing and move along or stay put and sit in park and be miserable as the world goes by.

Science proves this over and over again. Why did the cockroach survive and the dinosaurs did not? The cockroach is a master of adaptation and flexibility.

Dr. Deming said, “ No one has to change.

Survival is optional.”

Our educational system in the United States has not changed since the 19th century. We still have the basic foundational agricultural system (no school in late spring/summer (planting time) and get home early before it gets dark or no chores can be done on the farm) in place today. What we have done is add layer of layer of singular changes that conflict with the previous layers. Simply put the system is not in balance.

Click on Pic to Enlarge

Dr. Deming said, “ No one has to change.

Survival is optional.”

Our business expertise gets stagnated when those with current knowledge refuse to change for fear of losing authority, power and self-worth. I will use my own are of expertise – Quality. Since I first started in Quality in 1980 in the service industry I have gone through every change that has come down the pike from Quality of Work Life (QWL) to the current Six Sigma. Instead of debating which is system is better I have tried to learn the best from each and move forward through test and theory as my basis continual knowledge.

Unfortunately I have seen individuals who have become experts in many of the singular movements like Total Quality Management (TQM), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Six Sigma to name just a few. These folks will debate why there system is better than the rest and will not budge from their platform because they fear loss of power or authority or worse yet their job. If they would just put forth the time they spend not wanting to move on and use that energy toward learning the new method or knowledge they would evolve and be successful.

Dr. Deming said, “ No one has to change.

Survival is optional.”

Click on Pic to Enlarge

What is Quality Knowledge?

qg says ...

Data + Information + Application = Knowledge (D+I+A=K)

add Listening + Observing = Wisdom (D+I+A=K + LO = W).

Heads up education and business leaders (hierarchy does not equal intelligence).

Example - I can go on the Internet and read a number of books on how to remodel my bathroom. I can even conduct a conversation that sounds like I know what I'm doing, and I can even spout off all the research about the modern bathroom that I gather from the Mr. Handyman shows on TV and radio.

However, I can predict to you in confidence that I wouldn't know the first step (well maybe, beat down the walls) in "actually" doing the job myself.

Remember, qg says:

"It is only through trial and error, listening, observing and application ("theory") that I gain the knowledge and wisdom to be able to do the job myself and then pass on my knowledge to others."

and

"KNOWLEDGE IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER"

To read more on knowledge go to my post at http://qualityg.blogspot.com/2006/12/leadership-knowledge-management-people.html

My CEO Says "We Need To Be More Creative" qualityg says ...

From a Friend,

I am perplexed, about a month or so ago our CEO gave a speech rallying the troops stating “That we need to be more creative because our companyis going to focus more on being a Global Force.” My company supplies the auto company and we focus on putting together complete automotive interiors, including seat systems, interior trim and electrical systems.

While visiting our office he made a comment wanting to know why he saw so many “foreign” cars in the company parking lot.

qualityg says ...

Your CEO sounds like a candidate for qualityg’s section on FOOLS(at http://qualityg.blogspot.com/2006/10/quality-fools-enrons-skilling-going-to.html) Since this type of tragedy happens in may companies let me answer if this was like a Shakespearean tragedy like “King Lear?” It’s generally regarded as one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.

I may be making a stretch here in stating that the “Global” speech was made at your headquarters or somewhere the CEO wanted to get some print because after all the CEO is like a “Caesar.”

Since you are from Michigan I would bet that your CEO (Caesar) did what any kiss-up emperor would do, and that is, Detroit (When in Rome ...) is the home of what was the "Big 3" I’m sure he is playing his act for the US automakers. Alas, behind every Caesar is a Brutus and eventually those who play both sides of the fence will eventually be caught. I just hope the employees will not suffer because that would be the greatest tragedy of all!!

More on absolute power at my post http://qualityg.blogspot.com/2005/08/leadership-absolute-arrogant-power.html

If you drive a foreign car and it has a component from your company just tell the CEO you’re advertising the company's product. If not, ask him why his Senior Management Team (they own the system) has not truly entered the global marketplace.

"A Walk for Autism" and How about Advocacy?

10/01/07

I attended a "Walk For Autism" at the Detroit Zoo yesterday. It was a very crowded event with thousands of people that were mostly in specifically designed T-shirts. My niece sponsored our team from our area named “Coalition For A Cure.’

Getting in the Zoo was the hardest part because of the traffic jam with so many cars entering even before the Zoo officially opened at 10:00 am.

There were big tents all around that represented registration, food, team waiting area, resource, quiet tent any more. The tent I spent the most time was in the resource tent were there was many displays from different counties and kiosks from people representing speech therapy, oils, toys, psychiatry and more. Each table had handouts with information and explaining how important their clinic was for Autism.

Following are some figures and comments sent out from my niece (Thanks KC - you did great):
We were expecting about 3,000 walkers. Actual number of tickets handed out: 7,049!!! Last week we had roughly $305,000 raised. Last number I heard before leaving the zoo: $515,000!!!I can't believe what a success today was. Thank you so much for spreading the word and donating to a great cause. I can't believe this is the first year for the Walk in Detroit! We beat Chicago's first year numbers, which is not a small feat!

The main reason I spent so much time in the resource tent was because I was looking for information on one specific topic. I wanted to get more information on education. I wanted to know more about the laws governing what a child is entitled to when they have Autism. I wanted information about advocacy and help for the parents when they venture into an IEP meeting with so many professionals sitting around a table using acronyms that most parents would have no idea what it meant.

I have searched the Web and found some information but not enough to prove to me that this area of Autism is covered. I also called Autistic Society’s with little help. I searched Amazon for books with autism and advocacy and found none.

I guess that is why I am documenting everything I have done in the school and also my experiences outside when it comes to education and autism and how to help the child best in the classroom.

Perhaps that is why I get so many Emails from around the world thanking me for whatever information and experiences I provide. Too many are relying on the Special Education Departments (think about how confident you are about other government programs) to help them. Many of the S.E.D. folks are overwhelmed and have heavy case loads and little time or experience (my Emails and experiences are proof).

I guess what I am trying to say is there is so much focus on the cause and cure (rightly so) that little is done for those already in the mainstreamed educational system. What will happen to them if they are pushed through like so many of the other learning disabled children (it’s already happening). For Autistic children if the school determines them they can’t make it. For the learning and emotionally disabled there is little to choose from, be a dropout or make it through high school and be added to the social programs set up by the government or just drift away. There are contained rooms and disability centers (I believe the majority being mainstreamed should not be put in those situations).

I will stay in the road less traveled and leave a trail for others to follow and improve. If you can help with this type of information (advocacy in schools) please send me an email at http://www.qualityg.comcast.net/

To read my other posts on Autism please click on the ASD Label below this post and they will all pop up for you to red.