Tips on magement success - Introduction

SETTING GOALS.

Like most when I graduated from college I didn't have any idea as to what I wanted to do with my career. I accepted my first job out of college because I liked accounting, but didn't want to be confined to an office and sales appealed to me. The job was with Burroughs Corporation selling accounting machines. But I didn't really have any idea as to where this might lead and as time went by I was unable to figure out where I might , or wanted to fit into the organization. The end result I changed jobs.

I accepted a job as a trainee for Scott Paper Company in Everett, Washington. This job exposed me to the world of manufacturing and I was fascinated with it. After a year or so I was pretty sure that manufacturing was where I wanted to go and I started to formulate a goal, which was to be in manufacturing management. I liked the idea of having a responsibility where results could be measured. Even though I would have liked to be a mill manager, at that point it did not seem attainable, and I set my sights on a more realistic goal of foremen, or department superintendent. From that point on I looked for ways in which I could fulfill that goal. After my training was complete I accepted a job in the purchasing department, this was not what I wanted, but I did see it as a training ground for a manufacturing job. After a few years I was promoted to head of the department which I enjoyed but was not in the directio
I wanted to go. But I still thought If I do a good job here I will be able to get into production. I kept telling my bosses this was what I wanted to do, but after a while it became obvious my line of promotion was going to be in purchasing.

So I changed jobs, and while the new job was to support line production, I thought it could lead to what I wanted. After several years I finally got my chance and was given the job of Tissue Mill Converting Superintendent, which turned out to be the job that got me on a fast track to mill management. After this success I elevated my goal to mill manager, a job earlier in my career I thought was unattainable. I worked my way up to become assistant general manager in charge of all manufacturing. I never reached Mill Manager, I was blocked by some political infighting, which I will discuss later.

I changed jobs again which eventually led to an offer from my previous boss who now was President of Publishers Paper Company, a newsprint manufacturing company in Portland , Oregon. I was offered a job of Vice-President of operations. At this point my goal changed again, I now aspired to become President and CEO a job that earlier was beyond my wildest dreams. Seven years later I did became the President and CEO of Publishers Paper Company.

These personal examples are ment to illustrate the importance of setting goals and a strategy for reaching those goals. The news letter's to follow are strategies I used to obtain my goals which I hope will provide you with some ideas that will help you accomplish your goals. My next newsletter will be on "The Importance of Recognition"