Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth Revisited, said, “the fatal flaw in most small businesses is that the owner works IN the business rather than ON the business.” What he means by this is that most small business owners get so bogged down in the day-to-day operations of their business that they don’t take the time to step back and work on long-term goals.
As a result, their businesses become stagnant and never reach their full potential. As a small business owner, you must set goals for your business and strive to achieve them.
What are business goals?
Businesses often have a variety of goals they strive to achieve, whether it’s increasing profit margins, expanding their customer base, improving employee satisfaction, or finding new market opportunities. These goals serve as a guide for the company in terms of decision-making and overall strategy.
However, it’s essential for businesses to regularly review and revise their goals to ensure they align with the changing market and meet the company’s needs. In fact, some experts suggest setting shorter-term and long-term goals to maintain focus and adapt more quickly to changes in the industry. Ultimately, setting clear and achievable goals can help a business stay on track and determine how successful they are in reaching its desired outcomes.
Business goals to set
Now that you know what business goals mean, it’s time to set some of them. Here are six goals every small business should try to achieve.
Find New Customers
Finding new customers is essential for any business that wants to grow—but it’s not always easy. One way to find new customers is using data from your existing customer base (such as through social media). Another way to find new customers is by working with an experienced PR marketing service provider. They can help you identify new target markets and create marketing campaigns to reach them. Often, their expertise and connections can help you get new customers you wouldn’t have been able to reach on your own. No matter what route you decide to take, make sure you have a plan in place for how you reach new customers and convince them to do business with you instead of your competitors.
Improve Customer Retention Rates
It’s not only important to acquire new customers, but also to keep the ones you have. In fact, it would cost you five times more money to gain a new customer than to retain an existing one satisfied. There are a number of ways you can improve your customer retention rates, such as by offering loyalty programs or providing excellent customer service at every touchpoint. Identify what’s causing your customers to leave and take steps to address those issues head-on.
Increase Revenue
This one is pretty self-explanatory—every business wants to increase its revenue. But how can you go about doing this? If you want to make more money, start by selling items or services that are priced higher. Another way is to increase your prices (if you haven’t done so already) or find ways to increase the number of sales you make each month. No matter what route you decide to take, make sure you have a plan in place for how you’re going to boost your bottom line.
Decrease Expenses
Just as increasing revenue is significant, so is decreasing expenses. After all, the less money you spend, the more profit you’ll ultimately make. Many businesses do not realize how much money they spend each month on things like office supplies, marketing materials, or even their own time.
Take a close look at your expenses and see where you can cut back without sacrificing the quality of your product or service. There are a number of ways you can save money as a small business owner. One is to negotiate better terms with your suppliers. Another is to cut wasteful spending and invest in cost-effective technology solutions. Whatever route you decide to take, make saving money a priority for your business.
Expanding Your Product Line or Services
If you want your business to grow, then you need to offer products or services that appeal to a wider range of people. This could mean expanding your product line or adding new services that complement your existing offerings. If you’re not sure how best to expand your product line or services, talk to your existing customers and see what else they would be interested in buying from you. Then, put together a plan for how you’re going to develop and market these new products or services effectively.
Final thoughts
No matter what size your business is, it’s important to set goals and work towards achieving them continually. By focusing on increasing revenue, decreasing expenses, improving customer retention rates, finding new customers, and expanding your product line or services, you can help ensure that your small business reaches its full potential.
