Saturday, November 21, 2009

Entrepreneurs, Independent Contractors, Small and Large Businesses Must Plan and Set Goals

By Mcfadden Delacruz

Any new business entity must have an established business plan as well as a concrete set of goals. Along with The Company Mission Statement, goal setting and planning are essential to the core of any business. Management and employees alike must be on the same page to insure continuity.

Some of the most profitable companies are susceptible to failure. There will always be competition. We need to always be aware and proactive to constant change for continued growth. We have seen many companies fail after years in the business. One of the main reasons for their failure was the ability to change with the times. Setting goals and planning ahead will keep us to the forefront.

Many of us might not want to admit it, but we will find all kinds of excuses to avoid goal setting and planning for the future. Keep in mind that this adage holds true. "To fail to plan is to plan to fail". Here are several so-called excuses that I've heard and encountered over the years.

IT'S NOT REALLY THAT IMPORTANT! Just thinking you know what needs to be done isn't enough. What worked last year isn't a given this year. If you and your team are not working on next year's plan today, it may be too late for next year. Working towards next year's goals should always begin today.

There are written goals and there are written goals. In other words, goals do not exist in thoughts only. They must be in writing. Talking to your employees about the plan for the company's success will have no value to the employee. Providing your employees with visual goals will spark their interest even more for their future and the company's.

I wrote down my goals, so therefore I will now be successful. It is more entailed than just writing your goals down. They require further execution, management and harmonization. Rest assured Donald Trump, Warren Buffett or Bill Gates acted upon their written goal setting and planning.

Once I write down my goals I only review them once a year. This is definitely another myth or misconception. With the constant changing of today's economy, goal planning must be reviewed quarterly, if not monthly. This will keep you from swerving off course and adapt your road to success. Evaluating your goals frequently must now become a common practice.

As we approach another new year, it will be important to consider our established goals and reset them; either to meet increased production, or even to downsize if necessary. A well thought out business plan and appropriate goal setting will make navigating the stormy business seas less perilous. Keeping a constant vigil on that plan and its course will allow you to make necessary and profitable changes during the year, and not waiting for the New Year.

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