By, Paulina Mangano

So often we set goals, or, even more often, we don’t even get to the goal-setting stage before we start on a path, possibly with every good intention of achieving something worthwhile. Then, before we know it, the path ends with no gain, or worse, a loss. Sound familiar?  

Furthermore, sometimes our investment on this meandering path is significant, and sadly, that time, those resources, that effort, trust, reputation and your momentum is also lost and the repercussions of this may be significant and long term. So, let’s not do this, let's be strategic and let’s achieve worthwhile goals that hold great value specifically for us. It's all so very doable, it just takes some strategy.

When talking business in this goal-setting space, I think it's safe to say that time is our most precious resource, ‘time is money’ is what people say, and it’s true, I wholeheartedly agree. It is also a fact that businesses are at their most vulnerable while in a growth phase and these times of goal setting are usually aligned at times of growth or wanting growth. Let’s ensure we are not making our business more vulnerable but are strengthening it and enabling it to achieve all we want.

That’s exactly where we start when considering strategic goal setting, we start with what we want. It's probably the most difficult question I can ask you but before we set out with SMART goals and action lists, what we need most is a clear, real and specific goal. Once we’ve identified our goal, it should be read, yes that’s right, write it down and when you read it back or better yet, read it out loud, it should make you feel pretty good, and be somewhere you would love to be. Feel it, see it and believe it, until then, they are just words, not your goal or your dream, just empty words, maybe someone’s else words and these empty words are no foundation to build your goal on. Make it yours and make it true and believe it, if you don’t believe it, it will be really hard for others to believe it too.

Once we have our specific goal identified and we believe it, it’s then time to think about the path, not how we are going to achieve the goal but first, what are we dealing with. We know where we want to be, but where are we starting? We need these two positions before we can plan and certainly before we can be strategic.

I use the example of using a GPS (global positioning system) when I talk about goal setting. We start with the end goal or the destination, then before we can plot the course, we need the starting point and only then, can we start to consider the best course to take. The tool I use to conclusively define the starting point is the SWOT and then the Strategic SWOT Analysis to give the pathways. With these two processes, almost magically, options are revealed, we can strategically calculate the different paths available to us to reach our set goal or destination once we have specifically identified the beginning and the end. Always starting at the end, remember, the goal is all-important and it comes first.

Something to consider when looking at goal setting and our current position is context, a good question to ask ourselves is, ‘have we considered all that’s needed?' Two common but worthwhile processes to consider is firstly the PESTEL ANALYSIS and secondly is the UN SDG’s, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Considering these two will help ensure your goal and your starting point are well rounded and well-considered.

Once you have a clear destination and clear starting point along with a set of actions developed from that process you have the beginnings of a strategy.

All this is necessary before even considering a Business Model Canvas or writing out a business plan. Again, without this careful attention before any planning will most probably end in the planning being aimless and not specific to you, your products and services or your customers. You might be busy, you may even make some money, but will you be heading to where you want to be, probably not.

At The Business Centre, we can help you with this process, and everything that comes next, no questions too small and no question too big

So if you think you’d like to go through our tried and true process of strategic planning, contact us, we have many programs, products and business advisors at the ready along with many fully funded programs offering low and no-cost services, if it’s about business call us.

RESOURCE LIST:

SMART GOALS: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time framed GOALS

SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Strategic SWOT Analysis: 

1. What can I achieve by using my listed strengths to maximise my listed opportunities?
2. What can I put in place to support my listed weaknesses to still maximise my listed opportunities?
3. How can I use my listed strengths to counteract my listed threats?
4. What can I put in place to support my listed weaknesses to counteract my listed threats?
5. PESTEL ANALYSIS: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal

UN SDG’s