n a recent study, researchers found a strong correlation between a company's financial aligning and an effective goal setting process. As the following chart illustrates, companies that more closely aligned goals across their organization enjoyed much higher levels of financial success. The study also found that employees in the weakestperforming companies did not clearly understand the connection between their individual efforts and the overall goals of their employers. These same people also reported feeling confused as to their roles at the company, which naturally resulted in unfocused-and therefore less productive -work activity. These findings underscore the critical importance of effectively setting and closely performance employee and business goals to drive the success of your company. In addition to feeling fairly compensated for their efforts, your employees must clearly understand how their work connects to and serves both the short- and long-term goals of your business