Have you ever worked based on objectives? This is a modality that is becoming more and more rooted in the labor market and aims to improve productivity rates within companies. Discover its benefits in this article or more info at https://essayswriter.org/.
What is goal-based work?
Have you ever worked based on objectives? It is a modality increasingly rooted in the labor market that aims to improve productivity rates within companies as this system can help increase productivity at work and keep your teams motivated.
Companies that have adopted this work scheme offer their teams variable retributions depending on the work done and the objectives achieved, never according to the hours spent to achieve them, but rather this modality measures the work by objectives and not by hours.
Working by objectives can be a very good strategy for those organizations that want to have measurable results, as it will allow them to objectively evaluate the different aspects related to the task to be performed by the worker.
To establish realistic and measurable objectives in this work model, it is necessary to define the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). It is advisable to dedicate the necessary time to this point as it will serve as a data source for the subsequent evaluation of results.
However, it is important to bear in mind that, due to the particularities of this model, work by objectives does not apply to all sectors or all professions.
In which sectors are worked objectives functional?
Not all sectors can accept this work methodology because, among other reasons, the quality of the work performed could be compromised. This is the case in sectors such as customer service, services, or industrial production processes.
However, other professionals such as sales agents or marketing team members could adapt their work methodology to work by objectives, making this the most functional work system for the productivity of the companies in which they work.
Barriers to work by objectives
The number of companies that motivate their employees to work by objectives is increasing daily. It is true that for workers, this can mean a big change in the performance of their duties. Still, for both the company and the people who are part of it, working by objectives can offer great advantages once they have adapted to the changes that this methodology implies.
The most notable changes are time management and workspace:
- In the first case, the management of working time passes into the hands of the worker himself. The employee manages his or her working day to meet the established objectives, so he or she does not have to adhere to a rigid timetable.
- The second is the work space, and this can be affected when teleworking is implemented.
- To correctly implement the work-by-objectives model, companies and professionals must adapt to these changes as quickly as possible.
Five benefits of working by objectives
We know that working by objectives and not by hours is more motivating, promotes competitiveness, and, in addition, gets teams more involved in their work. But what other benefits does it bring?
- It contributes to efficiency: people should be aware that the work will be completed when the objectives are met and that they will receive incentives for having done it satisfactorily. This is a way of rewarding efficiency, which will help to boost and improve productivity ratios.
- Motivates people: this modality directly affects the psychology of employees, who will be more motivated with this style of work since they can get to know their true limits, discover their capabilities and develop a high degree of autonomy.
- Better control of results: it is easier to measure results for the talent and their leader. The company’s competitiveness can increase thanks considerably to work by objectives since it will be possible to effectively analyze the efficiency of the tasks performed.
- It boosts talent development: tracking work processes by objectives makes it easier to identify the best-performing employees. If several people occupy the same position with even or similar tasks, analyzing the results in terms of quality and productivity offers an unbeatable opportunity to discover which employees are the most efficient.
- Clear differentiation of roles: sometimes, talent is not fully aware of its function within the company, nor of how important its work is for the company’s overall objectives. In this sense, results-oriented employment helps to establish a clear differentiation in the functions of each person, delimiting responsibilities and transparently showing their contribution to the company’s success. In this way, the employee will know what is expected of him/her, and a sense of pride will be fostered in the professional, knowing exactly how he/she has contributed to the overall good performance of the organization.
Disadvantages of working by objectives
However, not all aspects of working by objectives in a company are positive. There can also be some drawbacks. Here are some of the disadvantages of working by objectives:
- Increased competitiveness among colleagues: working by objectives can help the company know which employees are more efficient and reward them. But this can generate a certain competitiveness among colleagues that, if not managed correctly, can worsen the work environment.
- Less control over employees: the autonomy provided by this work-by-objectives model can lead to a loss of control on the part of supervisors. For example, they may be unaware of their employees’ work schedules. Workers must demonstrate that they make responsible use of their time.
- Requires more resources for measuring results: You need to invest in resources to help measure the achievement of objectives, as it is sometimes very difficult to measure results and compare them with objectives.
- It can increase the feeling of work stress: having to meet certain objectives and trying to be the best can sometimes generate stress and conflict in the team. Team collaboration and cooperation can even be diminished as each member focuses on his or her own development.
- Quality can be affected: because of the desire to meet the objectives, neither the attention nor the time needed for the tasks is given.
Examples of work by objectives
A very common and simple example that reflects the work by objectives is the work of a salesperson or a promoter who, as a general rule, the more they sell, the more they get paid.
Another example where it can also be applied is in an office, but only if the nature of the activity allows measurable objectives to be set. In this case, monthly targets are set that employees have to meet. For example, a digital marketing department can set a goal of capturing X leads per month. It is not necessary to spend 8 hours a day on it, simply that they reach or exceed the goal set at the end of the month.
In conclusion, this way of working allows employees to organize themselves as they see fit since they are the owners of their own time. This facilitates the reconciliation of work and professional life and increases their motivation, which, as we already know, translates into higher productivity.
