The difference between a Goal and a Dream is a Plan. But where to begin? Try a “SMART” AI-driven approach.

I know what you are thinking, "tell me something I don't know!" and the acronym S.M.A.R.T., may not be new to you (but, in case you are not familiar with it, you can look it up here). But then why do we talk about SMART goals in 2023?

The impressive speed with which new technologies evolve and change our lives today can create a sense of uncertainty or, conversely, a pressing need to keep up, leading to the over-hasty setting of goals to be achieved. As obvious as it may seem, following a method is more important than you think: having a vision and throwing your heart over the hurdle is certainly important, but the ability to keep track of progress, of that famous "where are we?", especially when working as a Team, is equally important.

SMART goals help you understand what tactics work best, what obstacles stand in your way, and help you constantly reset the bar to ensure that your goals remain attainable.

In short, Trueblue's mission has always been to support companies in the Pharma, Life Science and Healthcare industries towards growth through Technology, but we know that tools are not enough: behind any project there is method, strategy, and the right mindset.

Therefore we have launched our SMART Program, aimed at accompanying companies in the sector to face the potential that AI solutions offer today.

(S) – Specific and Super Effective

Being clear about goals and expectations is the first step in this journey. If goals are too broad or vague, it is easy to get lost and run into misunderstandings. It would be like climbing off on a journey without knowing how long the route is, how long it is expected to take, what the weather conditions are, or what tools we need. With specific goals, you can visualize the journey from start to finish and be super effective, through specific KPIs and by including milestones so that everyone knows exactly where they are.

To set off the basis for your SMART journey, try asking yourself:

• Where do we want to get to?
• What are the concrete steps in our plan?
• What are our expectations?

(M) – Measurable with the right Mindset

Measuring is essential to understand whether we are going in the right direction, completely off track, or simply adjusting our aim. In addition to being specific with our goals, we need to be able to measure the KPIs of usage to monitor and consistently analyze the OKR of the Project. Moreover, by setting measurable goals and criteria, each Team member will be able to evaluate his or her own performance and stay on track.

In defining your SMART goal, try asking yourself:

• What KPIs do we need?
• Which outcome can be considered positive, and which cannot?
• How will we know if we have achieved the goal?

(A) – Achievable, for Amazing results

It is important to set goals that are plausibly achievable, not to get carried away by enthusiasm and not to use distant or unachievable goals as motivating factors. The very word " achievable" intrinsic meaning is to keep in mind that goals should not be unrealistic. Being ambitious is perfectly fine, but always consider limitations, whether internal or external. Achieving goals must be sustainable.

To make sure you are staying grounded and focused on your SMART goal, go over these questions:

• What steps do we need to go through to reach this goal?
• Why do we consider this goal achievable?
• What external and internal factors might prevent us from reaching the goal?

(R) – Realistic to Respect time and resources

In addition to being achievable, you need to make sure that your goals are also realistic and relevant. For this you need to strike the right balance: setting goals that are completely inaccessible will not increase the likelihood of achieving it, but goals that are too easy will not promote improved results, while maintaining respect for your time and resources.

In defining your SMART goal, therefore, try asking yourself:

• Who are the right people to achieve this goal?
• What is the return on investment (ROI)?
• What would the failure to achieve the goal entail?

(T) – Time-Based and Totally Exciting!

Establishing a timeline for your goals is critical to the success of a project. A time-defined goal may have a start and end point, or a series of time parameters or milestones in between. Plan ahead so that you can measure KPIs over time and thus achieve your goals in a timely manner. For this reason, it is critical to define a clear project timeline.

The following questions can help you define your SMART project timeline:

• Is it achievable within a given timeline?
• What potential obstacles or time-related factors might slow us down?
• When and how will we check progress?

Start your SMART Program now!

We know it, facing those changes and technology innovation which come with an Artificial Intelligence program takes time, resources, and skills. Three elements that are not always easy to blend together.

Hence why the Trueblue’s SMART Program was born, consisting of a series of pathways focused on the main needs expressed by Pharma, Life Science e Healthcare.

Here's how it works!

Step 1 | Choose the area that most interests you, so make sure to select something that piques your curiosity.

Step 2 | Share your thoughts and ideas and get ready to be the star! We will host a monthly Workshop that is dedicated to your chosen topic, and you will have the chance to share your insights with the group.

Step 3 | Take action! After the Workshop, you will receive all the assets you need to start your own Smart Program, based on the key topics that we explored together.

Join us here and remember the title of this blog.

Follow your Dreams but turn them into achievable goals. Think about a plan, the more SMART and AI-driven the better.

But always remember that Human Intelligences are the key value for the future of technology. And many other realities.