Goal setting for small businesses

Starting a business is exhilarating, but without clear goals, it’s easy to drift along with no clear direction.

Whether you're launching a startup, running a small business, or turning a side hustle into something bigger, setting and reviewing your business goals is essential!

1. Start with SMART Goals
Use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Instead of “increase sales,” aim for “grow online sales by 20% in 3 months.” Clarity sharpens focus and drives you to action. Make sure you can measure your goals.

2. Align Your Goals with Your Vision
Every business goal should support your broader business vision or strategy. Are you building for scale? Community impact? Profitability? Filter your goals through your long-term lens to avoid short-term distractions.

3. Break It Down
Big goals need bite-sized milestones. For example, to “launch a new product in Q3,” list all of the tasks like market research, prototyping, and pre-launch marketing. Milestones build momentum and reduce the overwhelm to ensure you have achievable steps.

4. Track Your Progress Regularly
Set monthly or bi-weekly check-ins. Use simple dashboards or tools like Trello or Notion to visualise your progress. Don’t just celebrate wins learn from any set-backs too!

5. Review
Business landscapes are always shifting. Quarterly reviews are a good idea to let you assess what’s working, what’s not, and pivot if needed. It’s okay to revise your goals as you progress and in reaction to market changes and challenges.

If you would like help setting and managing your goals, let me know!

lucy@mktlab.co.uk