The Right Way To Set Goals for Growth

The Right Way To Set Goals for Growth

Setting goals is an essential part of any growth strategy. However, not all goals are created equal. In order to achieve sustainable growth, it is crucial to set the right goals. One approach that has proven to be effective is setting absolute goals, such as the number of active users and the decrease in churned users.

Absolute numbers are what truly matter in growth. It is not enough to simply set goals based on vague metrics or percentages. Teams should take credit for what they do, not for what happens naturally. For example, if a company focuses on growing traffic to a lower converting country like Germany, away from a higher converting country like the U.S., they may hit their traffic goals but not their signup goals. Therefore, it is important to set goals that directly align with the desired outcomes.

When setting goals for growth, it is also important to consider activation rates. An activation rate is calculated by dividing the number of activated users by the total number of users. There are two ways to move this metric in either direction: by changing the number of activated users or by changing the total number of users.

By focusing on increasing the number of activated users, a company can improve its overall activation rate. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as improving the onboarding process, enhancing the user experience, or offering incentives for users to complete the activation process.

On the other hand, decreasing the total number of users can also have a positive impact on the activation rate. This can be achieved by implementing stricter user qualification criteria or by removing inactive users from the total count.

Incorporating both of these strategies can lead to significant improvements in the activation rate, ultimately driving growth for the company. By setting goals that specifically target these metrics, teams can better align their efforts with the desired outcomes and achieve sustainable growth.

What public philosophy is, and why we need it more than ever

Public philosophy plays a crucial role in our society. It is a catalyst for critical thinking and a means of promoting rationality among a nonprofessional audience. While there may not be a single defining feature that encompasses all public philosophy, it can be identified by its purpose.

The purpose of public philosophy is to force the audience to reflect critically on what they thought they knew. It goes beyond the surface-level understanding and challenges individuals to delve deeper into their beliefs and assumptions. By demonstrating underlying distinctions and connections, public philosophers help facilitate the process of investigation and uncover possible implications of a given thesis.

One of the key differentiators between academic philosophy and public philosophy is the intended target. Public philosophy is philosophy undertaken in public venues, with the aim of reaching a nonprofessional audience. It seeks to promote rational thinking in anyone it can reach.

Good public philosophy follows a rigorous practice of thinking. It recognizes that not everyone possesses the same cognitive capacities for analysis, conceptualization, or criticism. Therefore, it aims to stimulate, guide, and exercise these capacities in order to make philosophy accessible to all.

By making conceptual and operational tools available to everyone, public philosophy becomes truly public. It breaks down the barriers between academia and the general public, inviting everyone to think philosophically. It empowers individuals to engage in meaningful conversations and critically examine what truly matters.

While public philosophy is not a panacea for all societal challenges, it does play a significant role in stimulating rational thinking and promoting meaningful public conversations. It is based on the belief that thinking philosophically or rationally has inherent value. Despite the difficulties and personal weaknesses that may arise, rational thinking has a key role to play in society, and philosophers can act as catalysts for these important dialogues.

Actionable Advice:

1. When setting goals for growth, focus on absolute numbers that directly align with desired outcomes. Avoid vague metrics or percentages that may not accurately reflect progress.

2. Consider activation rates when setting goals. Aim to increase the number of activated users and decrease the total number of users to improve the overall activation rate.

3. Embrace public philosophy as a means of promoting rational thinking. Engage in critical reflection, challenge assumptions, and encourage meaningful conversations about what truly matters. Philosophy should be accessible to all and seen as a valuable practice of thinking.

In conclusion, setting the right goals for growth and embracing public philosophy are both essential elements in achieving success. By focusing on absolute goals that align with desired outcomes and actively promoting rational thinking through public philosophy, individuals and organizations can drive sustainable growth and create a more intellectually engaged society.