In order to have a productive and profitable year, planning is imperative. But it doesn’t have to be daunting. While some may opt for a very detailed plan, there are a few very simple things you can do to identify and reach your goals.
The most important part of planning is defining exactly where you want to be twelve months from now. Try writing a one– to two–sentence statement that defines your vision. Consider this your business benchmark. As you proceed with planning, you’ll want to identify smaller, more targeted goals to help you reach this benchmark.
By looking back at the past year, you’ll gain valuable insight that will help you plan ahead for the year. Be sure to be comprehensive during this important planning phase.
Another great way to plan for the future is to look at your business in a different way. For example, look at your business from your competitors’ eyes. Do you see any opportunities that they could identify that might be detrimental to your business?
Also look at your business through your customers’ eyes. How do they see you? Is their perception of your business what you want it to be, or do their perceptions fall short? If you don’t honestly know the answers to these questions, consider making a customer survey one of your goals.
Once you’ve identified your benchmark, taken a look back, and seen your business through different lenses, it’s time to commit to your goals. Think of them as what you are going to do to help you reach your business benchmark. When you do this, be realistic. Limit yourself to no more than ten goals. Some examples could be:
But identifying your goals isn’t enough. You must define how you are going to reach them. So for each goal, plan the solution. For example:
While there are more in-depth ways to plan, these simple ideas should set you up with a good foundation and put you in position to reach your business benchmark for the new year.
Sources:
www.evancarmichael.com; www.beysterinstitute.org; www.trcb.com
