Pearson & associates

We are now past the January ‘I am going to set my self goals that I won’t keep’ period. So now it is down to the reality of what really needs to be achieved. If you haven’t set any goals for your business then pose this question to yourself:

What do I want to achieve in my business by December 31 2012?

This could include many things, such as:

• Financial targets
• Customer satisfaction
• Growth
• Adding value to your business proposition
• Developing of your vision, mission and core values

We should always begin with the end in mind ('7 habits of highly effective people', Steven Covey). What do we mean by this? Simply think where you want the business to be in say five or 10 years time? Would you be looking to sell it?  Continue to work in it? Leave it as a legacy? This clarity helps you to build your business. If you know where the end is it is easier to set off on the right path!

If you have a business you wish to sell then you have to be building a team led business ('Flight of the Buffalo' James A. Belasco and Ralph C. Stayer). If you are selling a business you do not want to be part of that sale, you have to be able to leave the business and it will continue to function without you. That means your team have to have the skills necessary to do this. So there are many things you will need to plan, such as training and development. You will have to plan your time so you can work on the business and not constantly be working in the business ('E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It', by Michael E. Gerber).

As business owners we have to balance so many things and we believe that we have to do it all ourselves. That is not the case, if we have employees we need to use their skills to help us, alternatively we can outsource some of the areas we are not good at so we can concentrate on what we are good at.

I have highlighted three business books above. There are many out there and if you asked other people they may well provide you with a different list of three books. However, I do think the reading of these three will provide you with a good base and understanding of what you, as business owners, need to be thinking about when setting your goals.
The reading will also act as a reminder as to why you went into business and I bet that wasn’t to be tied to your business!

I will finish with one more question that we pose to you when we see you: Do you own your business or does the business own you?

So set your goals, inform us about your goals. It is hard to move forward if you do not know the route. We want to help you achieve your goals.

Paul