Happy New Year! As we welcome 2019 and envision the possibilities of a clean calendar, it is often time to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. In some recent posts, we discussed the importance of breaking down those big, strategic objectives into tactical and operational action items. If you haven’t downloaded our 2019 strategic planning tool, do so now (download here)! You’ll automatically be enrolled in our 5-Day Innovation Challenge as well.
Goal Setting

In setting your goals for 2019, you may ant to spend time reflecting on your accomplishments of 2018. It’s best if you write them down to acknowledge that you have done some awesome things in the past year! It’s also important to write down your goals for 2019. These can be big things, small things, or changes to your business or lifestyle. Most people fail at new year’s resolutions because they don’t create a plan to achieve the change they are seeking.
Then, you’ll want to break down your goals into actionable items and commit to doing these things on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Track your progress on a calendar or a worksheet like the strategic planning tool (see our sister website at GlobalNPSolutions.com). You’ll find that a written commitment makes achieving big, strategic goals much easier than simply promising to do something.
For example, if you have committed to improving your innovation program in 2019, what does “improving” mean specifically? This is your overall strategic goal. Perhaps you want to improve time-to-market by 20%. Next, what tactical action items will you take to enact this improvement? In 1Q2019, you should schedule New Product Development Professional (NPDP) training for your team. In 2Q2019, you can roll out a new metrics program supported by the common innovation ecosystem designed by your team in the NPDP training session.
These actions are implemented through operational tasks, or detailed execution plans. In Week 1 of the year, you identify who – across the organization – needs innovation training. In Weeks 2 and 3, you research appropriate facilitators for innovation best practices. (Please call me at +1-281-280-8717!) In Weeks 4 and 5, you will schedule the training days and send emails to attendees to block their calendars. Finally, you will conduct the NPDP training session that will operationally complete the tactical objective supporting the overall strategic goal. Victory!
I tis only through specific, detailed planning that we can accomplish the largest objectives in our personal and professional lives. Goals that are worth achieving must be broken down from the highest strategic levels (our vision of the future) to tactical and operational goals so we know what to do today that will lead to the promised future.
One Word
So, while setting goals and committing our plan to writing is crucial to success, we also have to remember that roadblocks and interferences occur on our journeys. A few years ago, I read a blog that gave a great suggestion. Instead of hoping your new year’s resolutions will work out okay, dedicate yourself to just one word.

The one word is your strategic goal and is a simple – but consistent – reminder of your vision for the future. All of your tactical and operational plans can be described by this one word, and it summarizes how you feel and how you will achieve your objectives. Your team uses the one word as a rallying cry when things get tough and you use the one word, as a product leader, to celebrate success.
My one word for 2019 is “outreach”. This word supports and encapsulates my strategic goal for 2019 in launching the Innovation Master Mind group to help innovation professionals accelerate their new product development (NPD) programs. My tactical and operational action items can all be summarized by “outreach,” as well. For instance, a tactical goal for the Innovation Master Mind is to increase awareness of the benefits of master mind groups. (And there are many!) “Outreach” frames these conversations perfectly. And when I facilitates training or speak at conferences, I am “reaching out” to help those individuals and companies that seek to accelerate their innovation programs.
What is Your One Word for 2019?
As you lay out your strategic, tactical, and operational plans for 2019, consider the common theme among your goals and vision. What one word supports your objectives, your plans, and your energy? What one word will rally your team to a shared purpose? How will you share your one word to improve innovation success in 2019?
And, in case, you’re struggling with the idea to commit to one word to enact your strategic, tactical, and operational goals for innovation, here are some suggestions to get you started.
- Outreach
- Discipline
- Oversight
- Flexibility
- Empowerment
- Love
- Courage
- Inspection
- Change
- Focus
Please share YOUR ONE WORD in the comments. And don’t forget to download your 2019 Strategic Planning Worksheet here.
Learn More
Feel free to contact me directly to share your 2019 one word, goals and objectives. I want to help you achieve your strategic innovation goals in 2019. Join me in a pilot session of the Innovation Master Mind on 23 January 2019 from 1 to 3 pm Central Time. If you want to increase the productivity of your NPD teams in 2019, contact me for more information on customized NPDP training. I can be reached at info@simple-pdh.com or 281-280-8717. I love helping individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their highest innovation goals!
© Simple-PDH.com
A Division of Global NP Solutions, LLC
Study. Learn. Earn. Simple. bol;mso-far