Reaching Your Small Business Sales And Marketing Goals
Reaching Your Small Business Sales And Marketing Goals
If your answer is no—or you’re not sure—believe me you are not alone. I can’t even begin to count the number of small business I’ve run across that aren’t on track to meet their goals—or have no way of knowing if they are or not.
******
Why do so many entrepreneurs struggle to reach their goals?
******
Because although setting sales and revenue goals and making resolutions is a good place to start, you have to do more than that. If you truly want reach your goals, you have to have a plan. And you have to have deadlines for taking action.
You see, goals and dreams don’t become reality just because you want them to. Neither do resolutions.
Even if you start out strong, without a plan and concrete deadlines it’s far too easy to find an excuse, or create a roadblock. Or simply put off for today what you can do tomorrow.
It’s also easy to give up because achieving your goals just seems too darn difficult. Luckily, humans have an amazing capacity to change, adapt and overcome—even against tremendous odds.
Just think about the people who climb big mountains like Everest...
Having been an avid extreme sports participant for half my life, I’ve had a chance to chat with quite a few successful mountaineers. Personally, as much as I love mountain biking, whitewater kayaking and backcountry skiing, I’ll never understand why they do it.
Every single mountain climber I’ve ever met agrees that high-altitude mountaineering is a suffer-fest. The closer they get to their goal, the more agonizing each step becomes—literally. Not to mention the fact that it is incredibly dangerous.
Thankfully, for most of us, our small business goals are much easier to achieve than reaching the summit of a mountain like Everest. But there is a lot we can learn from the way these mountaineers go about getting to the top.
******
How do mountaineers manage to summit major peaks time and again?
******
By approaching mountain climbing the same you should approach achieving any goal…
1) They create a plan
Mountaineers spend literally months planning food, logistics,
gear, their route, their possible summit dates and more for a trip that may only last a couple of weeks—or less. Without all this planning they would never be successful.
Your goals may not be as difficult, dangerous or extreme, but that doesn’t mean
you shouldn’t devote some time to writing out a plan for reaching them.
2) They set smaller goals with deadlines
Mountaineers don’t go from Base Camp to the summit of Everest in one day. They
know it takes time to climb a big mountain. And if their sights are set only on the end goal it’s hard to maintain a positive attitude. Because that end goal is always a long ways off.
It’s much easier, and more rewarding, to reach big goals in stages. Plus it gives you a chance to get used to the changes you encounter every step of the way. That’s why mountaineers set a date to reach Base Camp, another to go to “Camp 1”, and so on until finally they make one last push to the summit—ideally on their predetermined summit day.
You can, and should, do the same.
3) They remember to plan for the down climb
Mountaineers always say just reaching the summit isn’t enough; it’s only a
successful climb if you make it back down. The same holds true
for your goals.
If you want to stay on course and truly achieve success, you have to do more than
just plan for achieving your short-term goals, or even reaching your
“summit”. Instead you have to think about what you’re going to do next to sustain your goals, maintain your new, successful behavior and keep moving forward.
The bottom line is…If you really want to reach your business goals and achieve your dreams, you have to start by making a plan. Abe Lincoln had it right when he said “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Most people avoid planning like the plague, but it really does not have to be difficult. All you need to do is spend a few minutes writing down your main goal, choosing smaller goals to reach along the way, and making a list of what you need to do to make it all happen. And don’t forget to include deadlines for when you are going to get each action item done.
So, don’t just pick a goal and hope for it to happen. Spend a little time deciding how you are going to make those goals a reality—then take action. You’ll be amazed at the great heights you can reach when you do!
©2002-2007 SuccessStream. All Rights Reserved
Reaching Your Small Business Sales And Marketing Goals - To learn more about this author, visit Stacy Karacostas's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
Are you on track to reach your business, sales or marketing goals?
If your answer is no—or you’re not sure—believe me you are not alone. I can’t even begin to count the number of small business I’ve run across that aren’t on track to meet their goals—or have no way of knowing if they are or not.
******
Why do so many entrepreneurs struggle to reach their goals?
******
Because although setting sales and revenue goals and making resolutions is a good place to start, you have to do more than that. If you truly want reach your goals, you have to have a plan. And you have to have deadlines for taking action.
You see, goals and dreams don’t become reality just because you want them to. Neither do resolutions.
Even if you start out strong, without a plan and concrete deadlines it’s far too easy to find an excuse, or create a roadblock. Or simply put off for today what you can do tomorrow.
It’s also easy to give up because achieving your goals just seems too darn difficult. Luckily, humans have an amazing capacity to change, adapt and overcome—even against tremendous odds.
Just think about the people who climb big mountains like Everest...
Having been an avid extreme sports participant for half my life, I’ve had a chance to chat with quite a few successful mountaineers. Personally, as much as I love mountain biking, whitewater kayaking and backcountry skiing, I’ll never understand why they do it.
Every single mountain climber I’ve ever met agrees that high-altitude mountaineering is a suffer-fest. The closer they get to their goal, the more agonizing each step becomes—literally. Not to mention the fact that it is incredibly dangerous.
Thankfully, for most of us, our small business goals are much easier to achieve than reaching the summit of a mountain like Everest. But there is a lot we can learn from the way these mountaineers go about getting to the top.
******
How do mountaineers manage to summit major peaks time and again?
******
By approaching mountain climbing the same you should approach achieving any goal…
1) They create a plan
Mountaineers spend literally months planning food, logistics,
gear, their route, their possible summit dates and more for a trip that may only last a couple of weeks—or less. Without all this planning they would never be successful.
Your goals may not be as difficult, dangerous or extreme, but that doesn’t mean
you shouldn’t devote some time to writing out a plan for reaching them.
2) They set smaller goals with deadlines
Mountaineers don’t go from Base Camp to the summit of Everest in one day. They
know it takes time to climb a big mountain. And if their sights are set only on the end goal it’s hard to maintain a positive attitude. Because that end goal is always a long ways off.
It’s much easier, and more rewarding, to reach big goals in stages. Plus it gives you a chance to get used to the changes you encounter every step of the way. That’s why mountaineers set a date to reach Base Camp, another to go to “Camp 1”, and so on until finally they make one last push to the summit—ideally on their predetermined summit day.
You can, and should, do the same.
3) They remember to plan for the down climb
Mountaineers always say just reaching the summit isn’t enough; it’s only a
successful climb if you make it back down. The same holds true
for your goals.
If you want to stay on course and truly achieve success, you have to do more than
just plan for achieving your short-term goals, or even reaching your
“summit”. Instead you have to think about what you’re going to do next to sustain your goals, maintain your new, successful behavior and keep moving forward.
The bottom line is…If you really want to reach your business goals and achieve your dreams, you have to start by making a plan. Abe Lincoln had it right when he said “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Most people avoid planning like the plague, but it really does not have to be difficult. All you need to do is spend a few minutes writing down your main goal, choosing smaller goals to reach along the way, and making a list of what you need to do to make it all happen. And don’t forget to include deadlines for when you are going to get each action item done.
So, don’t just pick a goal and hope for it to happen. Spend a little time deciding how you are going to make those goals a reality—then take action. You’ll be amazed at the great heights you can reach when you do!
©2002-2007 SuccessStream. All Rights Reserved
Reaching Your Small Business Sales And Marketing Goals - To learn more about this author, visit Stacy Karacostas's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
|||
David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
|||
Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|||
Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
|||
John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
|||
Linda RichardsonLinda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website |
|||
John AlexanderJohn has taught keyword research and SEO skills to small groups of business owners and Webmasters from over 80 different countries world wide since 2002. John is also the Director of Search Engine Academy ; Co-director of Training at Search Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first comprehensive online search engine marketing courses at SEO Training Online and the SEO Workshop Resource Center. I look forward to hearing from you! - Visit John Alexander's Website |
|||
George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
|  |
Subscribe to Stacy's articles
 |
|
Marketing Junkie - Offers tips and strategies on how to market your small business.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Stacy Karacostas Video - Stacy Karacostas brings you another free small business marketing tip. This time Stacy shares important statistics on marketing through a recession or poor economy, and a few more reasons to keep your marketing machine cranking no matter what!
|
|
|
 | |||||||
|
 | ||
 |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
| ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 Biography Optimize For Ask Checklist Article Syndication Setting Priorities Worksheet Instant Classified Advertising |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Franchising Blogs
Top 50 Franchising Blogs | |
 |
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008 | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||