The 5 Critical Elements of Effective Pharmacy Goals

Goals. We all know that they’re important, especially when running a successful business. But, how do we go about actually creating them? The process can be tedious, daunting, time-consuming and an overall challenging process for many independent business owners.

Regardless of the never-ending demand for your time as the chief of your pharmacy, dedicating the time and mental space to defining and outlining the goals you have for your pharmacy is vital. Goals help you prioritize through the day-to-day busyness that happens around your store. However, more importantly than simply having goals to work toward, is having effective goals. Goals that will drive revenue, increase staff and customer satisfaction, and ultimately make you successful. Not sure what makes a goal “effective”? Read on.

Your Goals Should Be: Specif

For goals to be effective, they have to be specific. When you set your goals, you must define the desired outcome expected from reaching each goal. For example, if you want to grow your pharmacy, a specific goal might be, “I want grow my pharmacy by hiring three new staff members by the end of 2015.” Goals should be succinct and phrased in no more than two sentences. They should establish what you’re trying to do, how you’re going to do it, and why you want to do it.

Your Goals Should Be: Challenging

The best goals push your boundaries and challenge you to do more than you thought you could. Challenging goals force you and your team to work harder. They give you extra motivation when you want to give up.

Tip: While everyone loves a good challenge; asking your team for something unattainable will hurt morale.

Your Goals Should Be: Realistic

Although you want your goals to be challenging, they should still be realistic. If you currently have two staff members, saying that you want to hire 20 employees by the end of the year may not be a possibility. Don’t take the challenges too far, and make sure that you can realistically implement your plans. Otherwise, you will exhaust yourself and your team before you see your goals through to completion.

Your Goals Should Be: Positive

Your goals should always be framed in positive terms. Avoid using words such as “hope,” “try,” and “should” when setting goals for your pharmacy, as those terms give you too much wiggle room. As human beings, we’re much better at approaching tasks when they’re positive and definitive. Instead, use words and phrases such as “will” and “are going to.” Use the power of words to succeed.Frame your goals in a positive way that makes you and your team to work toward achieving them. An example of negative language would be, “If I want to increase sales by 25% by the end of 2015, then I can’t give my employees extra benefits or allocate additional budget for marketing.” When you tell yourself that you’re not allowed to do certain things, you’re less likely to be motivated because you feel deprived or limited. Instead, focus on what you do to achieve your goals, and focus on the action items that will help get them across the finish line.

Your Goals Should Be: Flexible

Nothing is written in stone. Always leave room for flexibility when defining your goals. Although you may have your heart set on achieving a goal by a certain date, expect the unexpected. A key employee may resign, forcing you to redirect most of your attention to hiring and training a new employee, instead of adding to your team. When roadblocks get in your way, don’t be discouraged. Instead, take the time to re-adjust your goals based on what is realistic in the present moment.Ensuring that your goals are specific, challenging, realistic, positive, and flexible will give you accountability to continue working towardyour primary goal of growing your pharmacy.Looking to implement goals in your pharmacy but don’t know where to start? Download our free eBook, The Pharmacy Owner’s Guide to an Exceptionally Effective Implementation.