How to Set SMART Goals and Improve Your Business

It's important to have a clearly defined destination or goal in mind if you want your business to be successful.  

This principle certainly applies to the business world. If you want your business to enjoy sustainable success, you must establish goals and follow through. In this regard, many business owners and entrepreneurs have found that setting SMART goals has yielded the best results.  

What are SMART Goals? 

SMART goals are generally defined as goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These five elements contribute towards meaningful and practical goals for your business.  

What does each element involve? Here's your goal setting 101 when it comes to SMART goals: 

• Specific. The more detailed your goals are, the more effective they will be. For instance, while a general goal to "make the business better" isn't much help regarding what steps you can take, a specific goal like "increasing sales by X%" directs your efforts. 
• Measurable. Your goals must be measurable to track your progress and determine your achievements. In the context of sales, an example of a measurable goal would be, "we want to increase sales by 15%." Remember that this aspect of a SMART goal requires you to decide which methods or metrics you'll use to measure progress. 
• Achievable. While your business goals should be challenging, they should also be realistic. For example, trying to increase sales by 300% may be a nice thought but nearly impossible to achieve. Take into account your available resources and timeframe when setting your goals. 
• Relevant. Your goals need to be relevant to your business objectives and priorities. They may also relate to your team's unique strengths and weaknesses. For instance, you may set a specific goal to increase upselling revenue by 15% since that's an area in which your sales team excels. 
• Time-bound. Your goals need to have a specific deadline or timeframe for completion. This will keep you accountable and foster a sense of urgency in meeting those goals. 

How You Can Use SMART Goals to Improve Your Business 

Once you've set your SMART goals, how can you use them to improve your business? Here are a few tips that can help: 

Develop a plan 

Create a detailed plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. You'll need to create different plans for different business operations: perhaps one type of plan for designing and deploying a marketing campaign, another kind for boosting sales, another for developing a new product, and yet another for investing in new hires. In addition, break down large-scale goals into smaller, "bite-sized" steps. 

Track progress 

It's vital to regularly and continuously monitor your progress to ensure that you're on the right track. Use metrics and data to measure success and identify areas where you need to make adjustments. Also, keep in mind that SMART goals can be dynamic and flexible. Don't hesitate to do so if you need to "tweak" your primary goals! 

Make adjustments 

Even if your goals don't need to be adjusted, the strategies and tactics you use to reach them may. Don't be afraid to change if your current approach isn't getting results. Be willing to try new techniques until you find something that works well for your company. 

Celebrate success 

Don't forget to celebrate your company's wins! When you achieve your goals, you must acknowledge the hard work and effort you put into making them a reality. Give team members the praise and recognition they deserve. Make it fun! Doing so can motivate everyone (yourself included) to set new goals and continue to improve the business. 

How Navaquest Can Help You to Set and Reach Your SMART Goals 

Setting SMART goals can help you to focus your efforts, stay motivated, and achieve greater success in your business. If you follow the tips discussed above and regularly review and adjust your goals, you'll continue to see improvement throughout your company. 

Also, remember that an effective coaching program can help you set and achieve specific goals relevant to your business. This is where Navaquest comes into the picture. We offer the best training in the industry and are 100% committed to helping shape each of our client's sales teams into a productive, profitable, and unified whole.  

If you'd like to learn more about how Navaquest's customized solutions can benefit your bottom line, reach out to our team today. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!