Setting realistic goals for your small business

Before you know it, the world will be ringing in the New Year. 2014 could be the best year for your business, but you won’t know unless you set goals to expand it and make it better. This will mean a lot of effort and work, but keeping that focus and following through on goals can only improve your company, no matter its size or age.

Any time I’ve set a goal for myself (personal or professional), I’ve found that the more specific the goal, the easier it is to achieve. Ambiguous goals give too many ways for excuses or loopholes. But a specific, even personal goal will give you the focus and motivation to get it done.

If you really want to feel a difference in employee attitudes, make the goals company-wide. An incentive program or simply emphasizing why the goal is so important will get the whole team excited about completing them together.

Hold yourself responsible for your goals. Constantly check up on how you and your team are doing on meeting the goals. Smaller check points can make a large goal seem more realistic and possible.

In my work I’ve found that aimlessly wandering and trying to find success gets you nowhere. But having a drive to a big destination can push you along that much faster.

Whether your business focuses on dog washing or providing SEO for Calgary companies, make sure you have a realistic goal in sight to grow your brand and increase your profits.

Jake Magleby, Freelancer, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Jake Magleby has written extensively about effective marketing, sales, and financing strategies to help small business owners succeed in the fast-paced and ever-changing business world. For more information on online marketing solutions check out www.yellowpages360solution.ca.