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Goals for the New Year
It is that time again. Time to vow you will do all the things you promised to do last year and did not get around to doing. But what does this mean for your business?
We know about goal setting for our personal lives, but what about for your enterprise? Too many owners let planning for their business’ future become a step-child to their personal goal setting.
Now is the time to dream again. It is the time to clear your mind of the past.
Forget about the alligators you fought or the cash flow worries of last year. Take this time to look into your crystal ball….and make a few wishes. Take a fresh, unbiased look at where you have been and where you want to go with your business.
While larger enterprise schedule annual strategic planning retreats, smaller entrepreneurs continue to do seat of the pants decision making, rather than plan strategically. Why? Well, it is hard to get the critical advice and input you may need to kick-start your planning when your kids are your shipping department and your dog is the Chairman of the Board. It is lonely at the top, particularly when you run a home-based enterprise.
So how do you get a head start on planning for 2008?
n First, set aside at least an hour to review the past and revitalize your dream. Think about the successes, as well as the mistakes.
n Second, make a list of all your goals, from the smallest to the largest. Then prioritize them according to which will help you achieve your dream.
n Third, think creatively about strategies that will help you accomplish these goals. But beware of a common pitfall in strategic planning: choosing the easy and least expensive strategy, over the harder and more costly one. Pick the one that will pay off the most, despite its costs.
And lastly, if you have friends who are in business—form an informal advisory board to bounce off ideas and keep on track with your goals. Meet monthly or quarterly. But most important, help each other celebrate your successes, large and small! (©Charlotte Taylor 2008)
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