Setting a goal is business 101. Successful people have goals and so do successful companies. The same logic that applies to sharing your KPIs with your team applies to sharing corporate goals.

At D&D we use total number of hours billed in a week as our goal.

Our current goal is to hit the UpTime target 3 times in a 6-week period. This is simple and reinforces our objective of work life balance for our people.  A single one-week target does not support this.  The UpTime number achieved along with the current goal is announced weekly.  Everyone is in the know. 

Reward Goals Achieved

When we hit our UpTime goal we immediately pay out a $50 bill to every employee. I adapted this idea from Jack Daly. A $50 bill has special power & punch. I love to get a $50 and I can’t really explain it. What ever you decide to do, don’t issue checks for $50 minus the income tax. It doesn’t have the same effect on people. People won’t turn it down but believe me a check for $38.42 does not have the same positive impact as a nice crisp $50.

The bill is put in an envelope with the UpTime logo, the employees name with a thank you along with the target achieved and the date. We deliver the envelopes personally whenever possible.  It is critical to have the $50 in the employee’s hands ASAP to ensure relevance and appreciation.   I have every UpTime envelope I have ever received on my desk and so do many of our people. Even in slower times we are reminding ourselves of the good times.

We also put $500 into the FunTime pool when we make an Uptime target. Read my previous Blog post ‘You Work Hard. Do You Play Hard?’ to learn more about FunTime.

Super Goal

We recently added a Super Goal. Our Super Goal is a big one time UpTime hit.  We make it a stretch for the team. The message in Super Goal is that we plan to grow and while the target might seem BIG now, it won’t in the future.

What are we going to do to reward Super Goal? I’m not sure but it will be cool. Maybe a nice crisp Hundy!

Can’t Afford to Pay Out $50 to Every Employee?

If D&D made solid UpTime numbers every week I would gladly pay out the $50 every week. The best part is we could readily afford to pay for it as long as we make solid UpTime numbers every week.

Examples of Simple, Immediate KPIs

·         Courier Company - Boxes delivered per day

·         Coffee Shop - Customers per hour

·         Car Lot – Cars sold per day

·         Trucking – Miles per Week

·         Taxi – Fares per Day

What business are you in?  I would love to help you come up with your KPI.

What does your company do to reward achieved goals?