As we start thinking about closing out this year and preparing for a new one, there isn\u2019t much time to reflect on the past. We need to start looking ahead to what we want to achieve in 2023, and our customers are not any different. They are likely going to rely on you \u2013 their feed and supplement dealer \u2013 for some good nutrition advice. You know about their program and understand their challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you do understand the overarching goals for their program, it is a good idea to ask them if they have planned out their year to see how they can best make progress. A good method to establishing goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
is to make sure that they are S.M.A.R.T. <\/strong>Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound<\/strong>. Let\u2019s explore how you can help your customers set goals that match this set of criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPECIFIC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Help your customers define as many details for their goals as possible. Who is involved? Is there a deadline? Where and when will these goals be achieved? For instance, maybe you have a customer who is planning their first production sale. A very specific goal could be to host a production sale in March to sell 40 yearling bulls and average $4,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MEASURABLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Every goal that is set should have a unit of measurement to indicate success. For example, your customer doesn\u2019t just want to breed a majority of his or her cows. The measurable goal would be to have 95% conception rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ATTAINABLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is great to dream big; however, goals should be set that can be reached. Remember, Rome was not built in a day, and goals likely won\u2019t be achieved overnight either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELEVANT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The goals defined should align with the overall goals of the operation. If the operation wants to raise bulls that produce high-performance calves for the feedlot, the owner or manager probably wants to focus on sires that have desirable growth and carcass traits. A goal to have 100% conception rates isn\u2019t relevant if your customer puts one 2-year-old bull out with 50 cows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n