G.O.A.L: What does 100% look like for this role?

In today's business environment, the success of any organisation heavily depends on its people, making effective recruitment and onboarding processes crucially important.

Before diving into the specifics of a job role, it is vital to have a clear framework that helps establish foundational expectations and support structures.

Stephen Bartlett, the successful entrepreneur, Dragons Den Dragon and host of "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, often emphasises the critical role recruitment plays in building a successful company. In various interviews and episodes, he discusses how the right talent can drive business growth and innovation. He had this to say about the importance of hiring great people:

But how can we maximise the chances of success and avoid mistakes?

Many people think recruitment is a dark art, or down to luck. It’s not.

✅ Doctors follow systems.

✅ Lawyers follow systems.

✅ And the best recruitment professionals follow systems too.

And that is what the G.O.A.L framework is all about - giving you a “system” to maximise your chances of success.

The other reason this is so important is in the context of considering Employee Lifetime Value.

Employee Lifetime Value

This diagram shows the Employee Lifetime Value (ELTV), outlining the employee journey from onboarding to their last day.

The vertical axis represents the level of output the employee is able to contribute to the business, and the horizontal axis represents the passage of time.

When an employee first starts in a business, their level of output is typically negative - they are getting up to speed with how the business operates and what is required to perform in this environment, often requiring other team members to support.

Depending on role, after a few weeks or sometimes months, the employee will be a fully contributing team member.

As they optimise their performance and ways of working, their output should increase further and maintain approximately the same level.

Finally, as the employee decides to leave, performance begins to dip, handovers further impact the output of the role until the employee leaves.

This ELTV graph is an important visual representation to consider, as it highlights the value an employee brings over time.

The SELECT process aim to help businesses hire talent that maximises this value further.

Impact of a better hire over time

This diagram illustrates the Return on Investment (ROI) of making a better hire, and how this far outstrips the Employee Lifetime Value (ELTV) of an “average” hire.

It shows how hiring a better-suited person leads to higher output and greater ROI, while hiring someone less suited for the role results in lower productivity.

The SELECT process helps businesses hire the right person for the job, maximising ROI and preventing costly mismatches in talent.

Assuming you’re bought into the theory on this - let’s dive into how to get this right in practise.

The G.O.A.L Framework

The G.O.A.L. framework serves as an essential starting point for hiring managers, ensuring that new talent is not only aligned with their roles but also empowered to achieve excellence.

Investing time in the G.O.A.L. framework at the outset of the hiring process pays dividends in the long run. It creates a structured pathway that promotes clarity, accountability, and growth—both for the individual and the organisation.

Guidelines

By articulating clear Guidelines, a hiring manager can effectively communicate what success looks like, thereby minimising ambiguity and setting achievable targets. This clarity is key to ensuring that both the employee and the organisation are on the same page from day one.

• Outline clear and specific guidelines for expected performance over the year.
• These guidelines will help direct efforts and priorities.

Obtain

Equally important is the identification and Obtaining of necessary tools and support. A well-supported employee is likely to be more productive and satisfied, as they have the resources they need to accomplish their tasks. Establishing this foundation early on fosters a positive work environment and boosts motivation.

• Identify the essential tools, training, and support that the new hire will require.
• Ensure all necessary resources are in place to foster a supportive and productive environment.

Acknowledge

The framework also emphasises the significance of Acknowledging achievements through well-defined rewards. Recognising and celebrating successes not only incentivises high performance but also enhances job satisfaction and loyalty. This step underscores the organisation's commitment to valuing and nurturing its talent.

• Set clear and meaningful rewards for achieving performance goals, reinforcing the value of hard work.
• Regularly celebrate achievements to maintain high morale and motivation among employees.

Learn

Finally, the G.O.A.L. framework advocates for continuous Learning from outcomes. When goals fall short, it’s an opportunity for reflection and improvement rather than punitive measures. This philosophy of learning-driven growth ensures that employees become resilient and adaptable, contributing to the ongoing success of the organisation.

• Encourage continuous reflection on outcomes to identify areas for improvement and growth.
• Promote a culture of resilience and adaptability by learning from both successes and setbacks.

The G.O.A.L Framework Template

To make it super-easy to capture the G.O.A.L’s for a role, we’ve created a simple template for you to complete. As well as being the start point for Specifying a role, we’d recommend using this when your new hire lands in role to ensure that the engagement starts off on the right foot.

In Summary

By implementing the G.O.A.L. framework, we are committing to a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. It's a systematic approach that starts with defining expectations and ends with achieving outstanding results, making it an indispensable tool in the recruitment and onboarding toolkit. As we engage with this process, we equip our workforce to meet and exceed organisational objectives, building a robust foundation for future success.