The team is now assembled, your planning wheels are turning...it's now time to set the tone for the year. That means laying out some clear, achievable expectations; not just for how you'll get there but how your team will grow along the way.

We discussed Accountability in Volume 2: People and Principles, but this is where you go deeper. Think of this as your yearbook's game plan. It helps everyone understand what success looks like, keeps the team focused, and gives you something to celebrate when you hit those milestones.

Here are a few things to consider when setting your goals:

BIG PICTURE GOALS: What do you want this year's book to achieve? Maybe you want to sell more copies, add more student voices, or make sure every page has strong secondary coverage.

PRODUCTION GOALS: How will you stay on track? Consider aiming for zero missed deadlines, better event coverage, or smoother submission processes.

TEAM GROWTH GOALS: Consider the skills you want your staff to build...is it learning new photography techniques? Improving their writing? Or maybe it's helping everyone hit a target grade.

OTHER GOALS: Don't forget the fun stuff! We're talking the stuff like boosting morale, celebrating wins, or trying something totally new this year.