The current value of holdings

The current value of holdings and how much it will grow over time at a given rate of return

The desired value in the future and what needs to be invested today to realize that amount

The difference between the desired value in the future and the current value as a percentage of the desired value

A description of who the organization is, where it is headed and what it wants for the future

A written explanation of the intention or purpose of the organization and why it is in business

A statement of what kind of organization it wants to be and the guiding principles and/or beliefs shared by stakeholders

A detailed account of the organization’s goals, directions to achieve them and how it will compete

The calendar year from January 1 to December 31

The fiscal year, which matches the calendar year from January 1 to December 31

The fiscal year, which shows results from July 1 to June 30

The fiscal year, which may match the calendar year or may be a different 12-month period, depending on the company

A varying mix depending on employee influence on goals to provide the necessary incentive to maximize profits

100% variable pay to motivate all employees to maximize productivity and sales

90/10 for the majority of employees (base/variable) to share in the company’s success with increased variable pay for management/executives to motivate employees to seek higher positions

High base pay and low variable pay to ensure predictability of total compensation expense

Its ability to generate profits is unknown.

It is in the worst market position and has insufficient resources to continue operations.

It is unclear how to best utilize the high cash flow to sustain growth.

Its excess resources are often used to develop other businesses that may not be mission-critical.

They are all reported on the balance sheet.

They are all sources of capital.

They all incur the same costs to the business.

Nothing. Each of these is a different financial metric.

Operational excellence

Product/service leadership

Customer intimacy

Brand loyalty

The previous quarter

The budget

The same quarter in the previous year, plus the current six-month or nine-month cumulative comparables

The aggregate performance of the same quarter in the previous three years

It remains the same.

It decreases because variable costs are increasing.

It increases at the same rate as variable costs.

It becomes increasingly higher as revenues increase.

The intention or purpose of the business

A descriptor for how the company works

The financial objectives of the organization

The plan for how the organization generates revenue and makes money