Owners of small businesses, have to have their particular goals in terms of running and growing their businesses. It is vital that they have a clear idea of what short term and long term goals they need to achieve, which should include funding, increasing profits, gaining more customers, and expanding their business. Goal-setting can be considered a simple process, but the challenge is how to make sure your business goals are specific, measurable, and most importantly, realistic.
Below are the important aspects of a small business every entrepreneur should look to improve:
Finding the right employees. Getting the best employees is a vital short term goal for startup business owners. Every individual accepted into the organization must be trained so that they could quickly learn how to fulfill their responsibilities in their positions. Business owners must have a clear vision in terms of the roles that need to be performed in the company and how the duties and responsibilities will be given out to the workers.
Marketing a product or service. Business success won’t be achieved if the company doesn’t make use of an effective marketing campaign. Thus, it should be in the list of priorities of startup businesses how they could come up with effective marketing programs and strategies. One specific goal is to launch at least a couple of huge campaigns during the first year of the business. In most cases, online or social media campaigns are among the first ones implemented by small businesses.
Improving the quality of products or services. There is no doubt that clients and customers demand quality for the services or products they are spending on. Maintaining and improving quality is a long term goal because changes have to be made from time to time in order to meet the expectations of customers.
Ensuring business growth. A long term goal that small business owners must always have in their minds is the growth of their business. What we mean here is the physical growth of a business, which can be by way of opening multiple stores and offices, which should lead to the growth of the company’s income and profits. It should be noted, however, that during the first two years in operation of a business, there would be little growth to be expected. Thus, the goal of growing or expanding the business should be a long term one because this is what’s realistic.
Business goals are much like individual career goals. There is no easy way to achieve them, and so hard work, dedication and consistency must be possessed to experience success. It is also crucial for business owners to have a good business plan because much like the role of a career plan, it will help you determine which path to take towards business success or career advancement .
Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Centre , provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.