Strategic Planning: Make Your Goals "S.M.A.R.T."    

               
                              "Strategic Planning!"
                        Growing Your Business Takes
                          More Than Just Hard Work!
                                           Post#4

          Growing any business requires a great deal of hard work and
          perseverance. But there's more to it than that. Good leaders set
          aside time to look toward the long-term and plan strategically.
          At that point, they can guide their business's growth, no matter
          what challenges they face. 

          As a local cleaning services business owner, you need to be
          spending some meaningful time on strategic planning in order
          to grow your business and provide your valuable services!

    **#2 - Your Business's Long-Term Plan     
     >>> How far ahead do you think into the future? 
             You probably do have a solid plan for this month or even this
             quarter, but what about a year from now? What about five or
             even ten years from now? 
     >>> Long-range business planning starts with spending time
             looking into the future. Decide where you want to be in one year,
             five years, and ten years. Imagine what your business will be like
             at that time. Visualizing it in concrete terms helps you set goals
             and develop a plan for achieving those goals.

    **#3 - Make Your Goals "S.M.A.R.T."     
      >>> Your goals for the future should be S.M.A.R.T: 
              Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. 

      >>> For example, rather than saying that you'd like to have
             "more customers", choose a number and decide by when you'll
              have this done.
      >>> Research shows that making goals specific and set with
             deadlines makes them more likely to be reached!

    **#4 - Strategic Questions and Contingency Plans        
     >>> With your picture of the future visualized and goals set, it's time
             to start thinking about contingency plans. 

     >>> You should have a plan for any unexpected setback that could
             happen along the way. For instance, if there's some change in your
              preferred market, you don't want it to take you entirely by surprise. 
              You should have a Plan B already drawn up and ready to go! 

     >>> Brainstorm things that could happen!
            Imagine you're a skeptic hearing about your long-term plans. 
            What questions might they ask you to challenge you? Ask yourself
            these questions so that you'll think realistically about what could
            potentially happen in the future.

    **#5 - Define Your Company Vision                
       >>> If you haven't already done so, define your company's vision. 
              Explain how your business helps your customers in a "unique" way. 

       >>> Frame this as a statement of around 100 words. This will help you
              clarify your vision for the future and keep you on target as you work
              toward your goals.

    **#6 - Man Makes Plans and the Environment Laughs  
    
        >>> Here's one great paradox of business planning:
 
                "You can't move forward without a solid plan!
                         But all plans are liable to change!" 

               "However, with a good plan and a clearly defined vision,
                   you can get started knowing where you want to go!

                     Keep your eyes open for changes in the market
                         and then adjust your plan accordingly.

      This is how you grow and steer your business toward success!