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A Key Performance Indicator is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives. Organizations use KPIs at multiple levels to evaluate their success at reaching targets. High-level KPIs may focus on the overall performance of the business, while low-level KPIs may focus on processes in departments such as sales, marketing, HR, support and others.
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Follow these steps when defining a KPI:
- What is your desired outcome?
- Why does this outcome matter?
- How are you going to measure progress?
- How can you influence the outcome?
- Who is responsible for the business outcome?
- How will you know you’ve achieved your outcome?
- How often will you review progress towards the outcome?
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As an example, let’s say your objective is to increase sales revenue this year. You’re going to call this your Sales Growth KPI. Here’s how you might define the KPI:
- To increase sales revenue by 20% this year
- Achieving this target will allow the business to become profitable
- Progress will be measured as an increase in revenue measured in dollars spent
- By hiring additional sales staff, by promoting existing customers to buy more product
- The Chief Sales Officer is responsible for this metric
- Revenue will have increased by 20% this year
- Will be reviewed on a monthly basis
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