beehive search
 
     
Home >> Blogs >> Know Your Goals
Beeblog
Subscribe
Know Your Goals
By Viviana Campbell and Merideth Sorrentino
9/15/2008 11:04:00 AM

When you started your small business you had a plan. You went through the requisite list of questions, determined your goals, and then set out to achieve them. Working through the months and years your business went well. You grow a little, gain more clients, grow a little more and things start getting crazy. Somewhere in the process the business gets off track.
 
As small business owners we can sometimes get caught up in the everyday and forget the big picture. When this happens, it pays to step back, refocus, and remember why you started your company. 
Here are some important questions to think about:

1. Why do you own your own business?

Some people start a business to have extra income in addition to their “day job”. Others want to build up a business to pass on to their children. Remembering your reason will help to develop and refine long term and short term goals.

2. What are your goals?

This seems like a simple question, but many of us neglect to set concrete goals. Even more of us never go back to see if we achieved these goals. Set achievable goals (i.e. sales numbers or new accounts) that work within the purpose of the company and can be measured at a specific date.  Always go back and determine why you did or did not hit that goal. This is not always an enjoyable process, but it is valuable for the success of your business.

3. What is your exit strategy?

You may just be starting your company, but you should always think about how you will end the company. The exit goal will affect the way you set up and run your business. There are many great articles that will help you determine your direction. Determining Your Exit Strategy, by Michael E Gerber

4. Be true to yourself.

No, it is not a question, but it is still important.  Small business owners get a lot of advice on how to run their business. Your friends, family, and others will give you tips on sales, marketing, product production and more. I benefit daily from the advice, experience and knowledge that I have gained from talking with other, but in the end it is YOUR business. No one knows your goals or purpose better than you.

If you ever feel frustrated, get re-inspired by reading about these other entrepreneurs … What Inspires Others to Start Up? By Tamara Monosoff


Currently rated 0 by 0 people

Tags: goals, small business, entrepreneurship
Categories: Entrepreneurship

Subscribe:  Email | RSS  

Comments:

 
On Monday, September 15, 2008 Petra Geiger wrote:

Well said Viviana and Merideth! With a clear set of goals and a sort of road map in place you can save yourself alot of time and expense in the long run. It helps you stay focused and spend your dollars wisely.




   
 
Write your own comment
 
  Your name (required):  
   
  Your email address (required):  
     
  Your website address (optional):  
   
  Submit a Picture No larger than 250kb (optional):  
   
  Submit a Video from a URL
Ex. http://www.youtube.com/v/wePMYM4av6Q&hl=en (optional):
 
   
  Your comments (required):  
   
   
 
Please enter the text from the above image:
   
 
Include comments
Tag Cloud
"setting the table" A. Fine Shirt Alabama Chanin Alabama community americas mart announcing Beehive Co-op Cincinnati art festivals artisinal garments artists Beau Beaux Inc. BeeBlog Beehive Beehive Co-op beehive co-op atlanta Beehive Co-op New York Beehive on Wheels Beehivers beehiveshop.com being a mother and entrepreneur books books on CD boutiques branding Burt's Bees business business issues Buyer's Market of Craft buying locally Charitable collaboration community compost computer recycling computer refurbishing consignment consignment agreements consignment with boutiques copycat designs copyright copyright forms costs craft Craft Fairs craft festivals craft show craft show guide craft shows creating community creativity customers entrepreneurship iram-inal designs marketing marketing materials sales materials sustainable business time management trade show components trade show materials wholesale wholesale market wholesale show
 
Recent Posts
3/50 project
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Preparing for a Showing with a New Boutique
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Summer Reading List for the Entrepreneur
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Choosing Where to Sell Your Wares
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Holiday Gift Guide Media Event
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
We Hit the Road
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Entreprenuer's E-tailing Part 2
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Hittin' the Festival Market - Co-op Style
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
...Goddesses, Where do you want to be in 10 years?
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
Entreprenuer's E-tailing, Part 1
  Comments: 0
  Rating: 0 / 0
 
Recent Comments
...Goddess of Perseverance (1)
Petra Geiger wrote: I think that's the first requirement of being a su... [More]
It's A Great Time to be Self Employed (2)
Space/Lift wrote: I couldn't agree more! I'm so glad that I have the... [More]
It's A Great Time to be Self Employed (2)
Freshie Beth wrote: Here here! We as business owners are responsible ... [More]
Wholsale 101 - Part 1 (1)
Barbie Watts wrote: Thank you for sharing this valuable information! I... [More]
Why shop local? (1)
Erin Jones wrote: Small businesses absolutely contribute to the loca... [More]
Cash Flow & the Growth of a Small Business (1)
Freshie wrote: I think I can safely say that you can avoid the Ro... [More]
Economical Entreprenuership (1)
Freshie wrote: The best part of the show was definitely the "hang... [More]
Feeling A Little Festive (1)
Leta Hawn wrote: Elizabeth,
I just love your creation!!! I am s... [More]
Building a brand (1)
Kristina Hjelsand wrote: I love Marty Neumeier's books. They lay out the fu... [More]
A First Timer's Recap of Atlanta Gift Mart (1)
Misha Ashton wrote: Hello. I am a photographer + graphic designer loca... [More]
 
Archive
2009
 June (7)
 May (9)
 April (8)
 March (10)
 February (9)
 January (9)
 
2008
 December (7)
 November (9)
 October (11)
 September (9)
 April (1)
 February (1)
 January (3)
 
 
Authors
Amy McClure (7)
Erica Jong (3)
Heather Swanepoel (14)
Karen Meyers (9)
Kristina Hjelsand (9)
Lynn Tennille (6)
Malene Davis - iram-inal designs (13)
Meg King (2)
Merideth Sorrentino (3)
Petra Geiger (28)
Viviana Campbell (4)
Viviana Campbell and Merideth Sorrentino (1)
 
Categories
Designer Connection (12)
Entrepreneurship (42)
entrepreuership (6)
Fabulous Find! (0)
Peer-to-Peer (48)
Sustainable living (14)
 
Blog Roll
No Blog Rolls Available
 


LOCATIONS




Shopvisible
ECommerce Solution