AsweentertheNewYear,wedoitwithafreshsetofgoalsandexpectationsMichaelJordan,oneofthe bestbasketballplayersofalltime,oncesaid,“Youhavetoexpectthingsofyourselfbeforeyoucando them.”AttheGasAuthority,wecertainlysubscribetothishighperformingmindset.Eachyear,we captureourexpectationsintheformofannualgoals(Corporate,GroupandIndividualGoals)Hereisa summaryofthegoalswe’vesetfor2023thatarealldesignedtoaddvaluetoourMembers,Municipal Customersandthecommunitiestheyserve.
Help Members Grow – If you’ve been around the Gas Authority very long, you know the importance we place on growth From the individual to the organization, we focus on growth and development Without plans and strategies to develop and grow, an organization can quickly find itself declining as competition and other forces in the marketplace conspire against it. In 2023, we will help our Members grow through expanding Natural Gas Connection, supporting Members through direct sales and retention
efforts, promoting the benefits of natural gas use through new and refreshed marketing and communication campaigns, and participating in statewide economic development through our alliance with Electric Cities of Georgia Our goal is to help our Members grow both customers and volumes
Economically Meet Member Growth – As Members grow in both customers and volumes, there is the need for additional interstate pipeline capacity, gas supplies and Member system expansions. In 2023, we will serve our Members’ growing needs through evaluating and pursuing participation in economical interstate pipeline expansion projects and delivered peaking supply alternatives We will also help Members that need to expand their distribution systems through economical financing options, developing strategic plans and studying and designing retail rates to recover both
additional upstream capacity and supply costs and downstream capital costs associated with system expansions We will also continue to grow our portfolio of long-term prepaid supplies to meet our Members’ growing needs as well as expand our service to Municipal Customers, which provides substantial economic benefits to both our Members and the Municipal Customers we serve
Sustaining High Performance – Mark Twain said, “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” We couldn’t agree more. In 2023, as we experience additional retirements, we will fill open positions with high quality individuals and will effectively on-board them into the reenergized Gas Authority SPIRIT culture. We will expand and improve our computer systems capabilities and access to data through our Vision 2025 – Systems Initiative and additional technical training, tools and support
The start of a New Year is certainly an exciting time with a fresh set of goals and a brand-new calendar of days and months filled with opportunities. At the Gas Authority, we intend to make 2023 a year to grow, serve and sustain!
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”
New Year, New Plans, Success Ahead
by Yolanda Santiago White, Manager, Corporate Communications, Public Relations & Training
Ah the New Year! A clean slate A fresh start As we consider our New Year Team Meetings and planning here are a few tips on how to get the process off to a great start
Many of us will want to forge ahead with grand plans for the year ahead, but don’t lose sight of the accomplishments of the year past As you and your team consider the goals and plans for the upcoming year, first take a moment to appreciate all that you have navigated in the past year and savor the fruits of those labors The new year is a great time to reflect on and acknowledge the contributions of your team members So often in the day-to-day activity of getting work done we do not appreciate the efforts of all who help our organizations achieve greatness So before jumping into the plans ahead, take a few moments to recognize how far you have all come since this time last year. This simple act of gratitude will set the tone for your first-of-the-year planning sessions.
A New Year Team Meeting is a “big picture” affair a rallying point for the team It’s an opportunity for conversations around goals, brainstorming, and team building, but may not result in an immediate list of action items. You will want to reflect on the last year and discuss what went well and where there is room for improvement. Ensure an open environment for discussion and suggestions – at this stage of the planning there are no “bad ideas” and sometimes the zany ideas once laid out for the group can morph into something tangible and creative that gains traction and leads to innovation, perhaps a new service, program, or improved process
Consider using the SWOT analysis tools to consider the direction for the new year; that is: Strengths (your organization’s/team’s strengths), Weaknesses (again of your team or organization), Opportunities (survey the landscape of your business and see if there are service gaps you could be filling), and Threats (be on the lookout for potential hiccups your group may face – especially in “doing business as usual”).
A New Year Team Meeting is also a great time to review your group’s vision and making sure that the goals and plans being considered are in alignment with those expectations Once you have identified key initiatives and some plans, it’s time to frame them into actionable language A great tool for this is the “SMART goals” formula SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time specific. This ensures that your goals are targeted and in alignment with your vision and have built-in accountability and parameters to define success.
Finally, as you develop work plans for the defined goals, look for opportunities for collaboration Encourage your team members to help one another, share ideas, and “check in” periodically with each other as they work through the plans. Sometimes the plans we articulated in January may unavoidably shift or transform by June or July – due to outside factors, new ideas, unavoidable hurdles. Be flexible with the work plan but keep your eye on the final outcomes.
Take a few moments NOW with your team to reflect on the best of 2022, acknowledge the contributions of your team, begin building on those successes, and setting forth on an even better 2023! It’s a worthwhile investment and a predictor of future success
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Contrary to popular belief, great opportunities don't just rely on sheer luck. New jobs, great business ideas, and the right people–you have to develop habits to attract them at the right place, at the right time.
“If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail ”~ Benjamin Franklin
“We have become a nation of thoughtless rushers, intent on doing before thinking, and hoping what we do magically works out. If it doesn’t, we rush to do something else, something also not well thought-out, and then hope for more magic.”