What Happened to MBO?
Do you remember the term “Management By Objectives?” Thirty-some years ago, MBO was the catchword for a common-sense approach to achieving greater positive results at all levels of management, from the lumberyard supervisor to the president of the company. The idea is still a valid one. First, management must decide on broad objectives for the company. Many often refer to this as creating a vision for the company, or a longer-range view of what the company should be in five years or so. Since a vision is of no real value without a way to achieve it, a mission statement is required to state in a few words how the company is going to realize this vision. This mission statement does not outline the details, but rather what the company is all about and what its focus will be to reach the vision. If a cabinet manufacturer documents overall goals and objectives, it can serve as a roadmap, and the company will be better prepared to navigate the forks in the road ahead. If that company is rely
