4 Business Goals to End 2020 on a Positive
Did you ever imagine the year 2020 would turn out the way it has? If you lead a small business, you now know your world can change on a dime. While nothing could have prepared us for what we faced in the early months of 2020, there are things we can do to end the year with a positive plan, prepared for a positive new year.
Goal Setting — Just 4
Setting goals and having a plan are two of the most important actions for any business. Goals help align the day to day activities with a longer range plan and help all members of the organization understand their roles.
We often think goal setting is done at the beginning of the year, but goals can be set and even reevaluated at any time.
With all the uncertainty 2020 brought us, setting lofty goals may feel intimidating. For now, I recommend identifying four goals that seem reasonable and also, just a little uncomfortable. This will ensure that they are reasonable to achieve but also just difficult enough to stretch your capabilities.
Take a moment to jot down four goals to prepare your organization for the coming months and the year ahead.
Here are 4 suggestions:
- Find Efficiencies
Don’t we all want to reduce costs and save time? There are likely tasks within your organization that could be eliminated and steps to be consolidated in any business.
For example:
Does the receptionist have enough information to answer more customer questions during a call? Could he/she eliminate transferring even ten percent of the calls if she had just a little additional training? How much time would this save others in the organization?
What about those morning meetings? Is there a fixed agenda for each meeting? Maybe you consider having standing meetings or Zoom calls. Can the meetings be cut to just 10–15 minutes?
Are you or your staff attempting to manage social media or another marketing function on your own? Do you do your bookkeeping inhouse? Consider hiring out for tasks that may not be in your wheelhouse. They can be done much more effectively by an expert and be cheaper in the long run. This will free up your time as well as staff to focus on the things for which you are an expert.
2. Employee Training
The end of the year is a great time to plan for new hires and their onboarding process. When you bring in a new employee, do you take the time to educate them on the company, your brand, culture and on expectations? This engagement with a new member will have a lasting impact on his or her success, retention as well as his or her ability to be a productive member of the team.
I also recommend fully immersing a new hire into your brand identity. Be clear and specific on what your company brand represents to the internal culture as well as to the customer.
3. Competitor and Market Analysis
When was the last time you looked closely at your market share? What are your competitors doing well and what could be improved? Is there a gap between what they offer and what is still needed in the marketplace? Could your company fill that gap?
Also, take a look at other trends happening in your industry. Are there any technologies, obstacles or changes that might affect your current operations? Are you prepared for what lies ahead?
4. Do you have a marketing plan?
Do you ever want to advertise a new product or a special promotion but don’t know what to say or where to advertise? How much opportunity is being wasted because you don’t have time to think about your advertising?
Marketing plans are an essential tool to building a strong and profitable company. They don’t have to be lengthy and complicated but they do need to include what you are going to spend your time and money on, and why.
A flexible plan can go a long way to free business owners from having to think about what to say, where to promote and how much to spend.
As we round out this crazy year, take some time to work on these 4 goals. I am confident that 2021 will feel a whole lot better when you have a clear picture of what you are doing and where you are headed.
Jan Southern, DPA is the owner of J. DelSUR Marketing Group and publisher of Pooler Magazine and Effingham Magazine in southeast Georgia. She is a marketing and communications professional with more than 30 years experience, 16 of which have been in leading marketing initiatives for major universities in the U.S. Her experience includes marketing, brand development, design, publishing and strategic communications for public organizations and private sector clients in the healthcare, technology, lifestyle, giftware, publishing, automotive and other industries.
