S.M.A.R.T. Management

SMART management consulting

One of the top methodologies we use as leaders and team members at IA is S.M.A.R.T. management. Typically, people recognize this acronym as a simple way to remember how to create actionable goals, but we take it much further on our team and for our clients. For us, S.M.A.R.T. is a verb and we use it to aid in every area of our business from communication, to delegation, and more.

Not only do we use it as a daily practice around our office, but we teach our clients how to implement S.M.A.R.T. management methods, too. This helps them avoid common business issues which we will discuss in this blog. Implementing S.M.A.R.T. is easy, as long as you work to make it a positive habit and hold yourself and others accountable.

Using S.M.A.R.T. as a Verb

For those of you who are not familiar with using S.M.A.R.T. as a goal setting process, the acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. This means that—in traditional goal setting—you ensure your goal is specific. As a verb and common practice in your organization, being specific around communication and your actions is an intentional step to help avoid confusion, scope creep, and having to repeat yourself. Sometimes questions are asked in earnest, but sometimes (if you aren’t being specific enough) questions are repeated. People are not mind readers! This can cause frustration for you and your team, so if you notice that the same questions are being asked, you know you haven’t been specific enough. Back up and speak with more clarity. Ask where someone is lost to help them get on the same page with you.

Being measurable is all about setting the appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) for your team. If you can’t measure it, you can’t control it. One of the best things about using KPIs is they help motivate your team; people naturally give more attention to things that they see are measured because it inspires them to keep going and do better. When behaving in an attainable manner, ensure all delegation and tasks are given to someone who is capable, trained, and understands how to use the proper tools to complete that task.

Through all of this, you must ensure that what you ask yourself and your team to do is realistic. For example, do they have the tools they need? By setting unrealistic standards, you may alienate team members and can cause quality issues, jeopardize safety, and demoralize your team. If you don’t put every action you take and ask for to a timeline, you can’t measure its progress. Setting reasonable timelines is imperative to achieving success and must be reviewed consistently to determine if there are any deviations from the original plan or if unforeseen issues need to be addressed to alter the timeline. Use S.M.A.R.T. communication to relay these changes to all team members.

Issues with Ignoring S.M.A.R.T. Management

One of the top reasons we teach this methodology to our clients is because we have seen first-hand the issues that ensue when failing to use the S.M.A.R.T. management process. These issues primarily include issues in dealing with triage management, neglecting to identify the root cause of issues, and fracturing communication (leader’s #1 retention strategy for high-performing employees). Triage is a management protocol that structures the incoming workflow by priority so that the most critical work is attended to first. It is the management of organizing the tasks or work in order of importance – prioritizing or triaging the work. If this process is not performed in a S.M.A.R.T. way, clients and team members may get frustrated and confused, work can be lost and forgotten, and more.

Identifying the root cause of an issue requires S.M.A.R.T., but first you must slow down. In times when you need to identify the root cause of issues, you need objective, open, and honest communication. Without this, you will never find the root of an issue. You and your team need to avoid self-justification, which is the ego’s need to protect itself from harm. Take a deep breath, recenter yourself, and just listen to learn. Gather as much information as you can without drawing any conclusions and review it at a time when you are willing to be objective.

Poor communication with your team will exacerbate triage issues. Consider how often you or others on your team say, “That’s not my job/problem.” This can lead to culture issues where work is not performed and clients or team members are left unhappy. When you act or react inconsistently, you can begin to take others for granted and this type of communication does not signal appreciation for each team member’s contribution to the group. By using S.M.A.R.T. for your actions, you slow every step down to the present moment to ensure nothing is missed and everyone is kept on the same page.

How to Implement S.M.A.R.T. Management

As mentioned, the number one thing you need to do to implement S.M.A.R.T. management on your team is to slow down. This is hard for those of us that are constantly fast-paced, but you may find that slowing down actually feels good every once in a while. It allows you to be present, think consciously and clearly, and discern fact from fiction. In order to achieve S.M.A.R.T. management as a daily practice, you must be mindful to make it a habit. Creating a new habit is all about constant practice for 21-60 days, self and outsourced accountability, and the will to want to implement something new into your life.

One way to start doing this is to write down your daily intentions. For S.M.A.R.T. management, these intentions might look like:

I intend to be specific in my communication and patient to ensure everyone maintains and equal understanding.
I intend to measure every task I delegate to empower my team and help them feel motivated to keep moving forward.
I intend to confirm that all team members have the training and knowledge they need to attain their tasks and goals.
I intend to set realistic goals so that my team and I do not feel polarized and disempowered by an unachievable goal.
I intend to set timelines for all tasks so all team members know what is expected of them at what time, as well as consistently reviewing these timelines for scope creep or other issues that may present themselves.

If you’re interested in learning more about habit development, read this blog: How to Build Healthy Habits

In addition to daily intentions, you might want to keep a list of questions handy to ensure you are performing the full S.M.A.R.T. management process. Some of these questions may include:

Specific

Who is involved? What do I want to accomplish? Where will this be achieved? When do I want to achieve this? Why do I want to achieve this?

Measurable

How many/much X will I need? How will I know I have reached my goal? What will I use to be an indicator of progress?

Attainable

Do I have the funds/resources/capabilities to reach this? If not, what am I missing or how can I get it? Are there any roadblocks?

Realistic

Is it realistic? Is it worth my time? Is this the right time to try to reach this? Does this match other efforts/needs?

Timely

Do I have a deadline? When do I want to achieve this? What else is going on in my life (or my team’s lives) during this timeline?

Implementing S.M.A.R.T. management practices across your entire organization is the key to building a high-performing team. If you want a team that communicates clearly, supports one another, has positive team culture, and produces quality results, you will want to learn the S.M.A.R.T. management process and teach them about it, too. If you are struggling with accountability or would like more help on implementing S.M.A.R.T. management in your business, contact IA Business Advisors today. We would love to help you stay accountable and imbed new, healthy habits into your business for future growth.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.