I am on the board of a small business. Last January, we identified seven growth goals for the year. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) provide a clear, actionable framework and a roadmap for success. I placed the goals at the bottom of our monthly board meeting agenda so we could regularly review and adjust our intentions towards reaching our year-end goals. It kept us clear on the big picture and focused as a team towards reaching those goals. In December, we measured how we did. We reached two of our seven goals.
90% of companies think a strategic plan is important and yet most companies either don’t have strategic goals or don’t refer to them throughout the year. About 85% of companies don’t reach their goals.
Wow!
Having a living, working strategic plan keeps everyone focused, proactive, and aligned. And most of us are missing the opportunity!
Hmmm – this would be good for my personal life too.
Our small company did not meet our goals, but there were many successes and lessons we could learn. This was the first year we had a strategic plan, and we referred to it throughout the year! We succeeded in meeting our two most important goals for new business and increased subscribers. We had the inspiration and vision, but not the staff to follow through. We created a benchmark for 2026 and had great information for our next plan.
Our ability to imagine and create our future reality is a gift that must be cultivated and honed. Begin with a vision of where you want to be in a year. Create 3-5 SMART goals. Think about:
- Operations – streamline or automate a part of your business
- Improvements to customer experience
- Marketing – tune up your marketing plan and actions
- Who can help you?
Schedule weekly & monthly planning time. It keeps your plan living and relevant.
