Goal setting indispensable to growing small businesses

Every small business wants to grow; without goal setting, however, the company is more likely to be reactive than proactive.

Companies miss the mark when they have no aim. What companies focus on, they move toward. The vision of the future sculpts every thought and action in the present. Goal setting makes wise use of time, takes the clutter out of the job, and empowers the owner to stop reacting to problems in the business and start growing purposefully.

In addition to developing a strong sense of purpose, goal setting facilitates seeing opportunities. In setting goals, a company regains control and feels confident, since it begins creating and em-bracing change rather than responding to it. The company moves onward and upward, producing a brighter future for itself and its staff.

Start with the dream. Knowing what might be possible is the beginning of success. Being too cautious is the greatest risk of all. Larger challenges mean greater opportunity. Be bold. Remember, winners make goals and others make excuses.

Seven key steps are indispensable to ensure successful goal attainment:

First, review where your organization is compared to where you want it to be. Determine low-profit sales categories and employee behaviors hindering success. Analyze your management skills and those of your supervisors to uncover areas needing improvement. Half of getting what you want is knowing what you have to give up. Replace draining behaviors with energizing ones. Free up the time and resources necessary to ensure accomplishment of your goals.

Second, generate your goals based upon your dreams. Ensure the goals are hard and challenging but a few in number. Write down your objectives and be specific. Break your goals into quarterly plans with deadlines. Divide the quarterly plans into a weekly and daily "to do" list.

Third, take the plunge. Developing strategies is easy; doing what it takes is hard. Decide to pursue your goals and watch your mind begin searching for a way to achieve.

Fourth, consistently take logical patterns of action. Get started and stay the course, being tenacious and diligent. Do not wait until everything is perfect. The task you procrastinate is very often the first thing you need to do. If you feel fear, remember that fear prevents action. Therefore, do what you fear. Try to do something daily toward your goal attainment. Focus on and constantly pursue your vision.

Fifth, maintain a positive attitude. Do not complain, because you will prevent goal achievement. Believe you will reach your objectives and picture success in your mind. Surround yourself with upbeat reminders. Nourish your mind with positive messages. Continually think positive. Abraham Lincoln stated, "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."

Sixth, measure your progress often. Once a month is a minimum. Focus on progress, not perfection. Perfection is an fantasy. A person who truly thinks he or others will perform perfectly is reflecting his own imperfection. Do your personal best. Celebrate headway during the journey toward your target.

Seven, fail fast. If something is not working, stop it and try another avenue. Doing the same thing over and over will not lead to a different outcome. Admit you made a mistake, keep confident and learn from it. Fail forward, forgive yourself, move on and carry no scars. Turn every problem into an opportunity to do something better.

Is your business going places or just being taken? Take charge by establishing goals and begin creating your own future.

(Lynne Haggerman is president/ owner of Haggerman & Associates, a retained search, outplacement, management training, and human re-sources consulting firm.)