Enterprise · Both

Aims, Objectives & Stakeholders

Aims are broad purposes; objectives are specific targets. Stakeholders are groups affected by the business.

Aims and SMART objectives

Common aims: survival, profit, growth, market share, social/ethical goals. SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-related.

Stakeholders

Owners, employees, customers, suppliers, lenders, local community, government. Interests can conflict (e.g. higher wages vs lower costs). Good decisions balance key groups.

Worked example

Give a SMART sales objective.

Solution: Increase online sales by 10% within 12 months.

Practice questions

1. What does SMART stand for?

2. Name three stakeholders.