“Setting a few new goals – even two or three – can influence your success in 2020. Here’s an easy way to do it.”

Running a successful business requires that you set goals and focus on where you’re headed, but how do you determine what goals to set for the new year? Should you focus on increasing sales? Hire a new designer? Expand your product offerings?
It’s not easy to move your business forward based on goals you set years ago. Goals must be updated yearly to reflect where you want your business to go now. You’re in the driver’s seat, so where are you headed? What does “there” look like for you?
The GPS in your vehicle declares that, “You have arrived,” but to achieve this status, first you have to spell out where you’re going and follow the route that’s mapped out for you. Goals serve as your GPS in business; you have to define your destination if you’re ever going to follow the right path to “get there.”
If you’re not sure how to achieve your goals, an updated business plan is the perfect place to set measurable goals. (And if you never found time to write a business plan in the first place, well, write your first business plan for the new year!)

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER BEFORE UPDATING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN AND SETTING GOALS

Before you dive in here, grab a piece of paper and a pen. This is an opportunity for you to reflect on the current state of your business. Write down the answers to these 10 questions in a notebook or journal. Notice I said “write,” not “type.” Writing helps solidify your goals in your mind and your heart.
Then, you can revisit your answers in six months or a year and reevaluate your goals and where your business is headed. If you get hung up on a question, just move onto the next one. Answer with your heart.
1. Why did you start your business?
Your “why” is the foundation for your most meaningful goals. Don’t hold back here, and be honest.
2. What part of running your business are you best at?
Is floral design where you excel? Accounting? Marketing? Management? Customer service? How can you do more of the work you’re best at?
3. What part(s) of running your business do you struggle with most?
Can you outsource this? Enroll in a training program? Delegate? Is it possible that “doing less of this task” is an attainable goal for you?
4. What’s the No. 1 thing your customers thank you for?
Beyond beautiful flowers, what specifically do customers thank you for over and over again? Doing more of what your customers appreciate the most about working with your business could be one of your goals for the new year.
5. What is your business known for?
What do customers come to you for? This may go back to your “why.” Accentuating what you’re known for is always a good goal to set in business.
6. What do you want your business to be known for?
If you’re not already known for this, what do you hope to be known for in the next two or three years? Name and claim this goal.
7. What are the top revenue streams for your business?
List every revenue stream and how much money each one brings into your business. Do you need to expand your offerings? Drop an offering? Refocus your attention on the top sellers?
8. Who is your ideal customer?
This is the person you want to work with over and over again. The more you know about how your customers think, feel and spend money, the more clearly you’ll be able to figure out how you can align your goals with their needs.
9. How do you attract your ideal customers?
Where do you advertise? How do you reach them through your website and online marketing? Meeting customers where they are should be an ongoing goal for your business.
10. What else are you eager to do?
Brainstorm, and don’t censor yourself. Just write. Now, make a list of three to five attainable goals for the upcoming year.

PUT YOUR GOALS INTO MOTION

Need a little more help putting your goals into motion? Implement these three actions to help you set, measure and achieve your goals. Remember, goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely.

1. Set your goals
• Name the goal(s). Be specific.
• What regular action is required to achieve each goal?
• Consider daily, weekly and monthly actions you can take.
2. Measure your goals.
• List achievements, big and small, every week.
• What goal(s) have you not achieved yet?
• What worked?
• What didn’t work?
3. Achieve your goals.
• What do you need to do to achieve these goals (research, time, training, outsourcing)?
• Be specific here. Do you need to spend money? Save money? Try something outside of your comfort zone?
• Write down new ideas or goals each week or month.

BONUS TIP: TAKE TWO MINUTES TO REFLECT ON WHAT YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR IN YOUR BIZ.

The accomplishments you enjoy most can also help you set attainable goals.Instead of feeling overwhelmed or too busy to plan, schedule 30 minutes (or more) to write out new goals,
measure existing goals and celebrate your achievements. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Remember: Anyone can fall short of achieving a goal from time to time, so don’t get hung up on the things that didn’t work. You cannot improve what you do not measure, so don’t be afraid to find out when something isn’t working. Instead, turn what you learn into a lesson, and improve upon the goals that you haven’t met yet.
Keep reaching for your goals, and keep doing beautiful work!

Alison Ellis is on a mission to teach florists how to make more money, book better gigs and type fewer e-mails. She’s been in the floral industry for more than 23 years and started her home studio, Floral Artistry, in 2001. Alison has a degree in Plant and Soil Science from The University of Vermont as well as a minor in small business. She creates free training videos and online courses to empower “floralpreneurs” to achieve their business goals and keep doing beautiful work. Alison shares heartfelt advice from her personal experience with professional florists around the globe. Visit realflowerbusiness.com to try a free course.