With only 3 days until you close the business doors on 2010 and open new ones for next year, now is the time to consider your big goals for 2011 or what some call a mission statement. Unfortunately, most mission statements are way too “loosey goosey” and deliver no results.
The picture above shows one such mission statment. One of my clients sent me this from a trade show that she was attending. Her comment in the email was “They need your help.”
Looking at this possibly very expensive mission statement since many are constructed within an expensive strategic planning process, the question is how do our employees know their behaviors (think effort actions) are working to achieve the mission? Sales Training Coaching Tip: Many if not most mission statements are actually vision statements.
So if you truly want 2011 to be better than 2010, your mission statement should only contain three (3) critical measurable goals that are necessary and sufficient for you stay in business. All other goals can be grouped within one of these three (3) goal categories or critical success factors.
#1 – How much money do you want be it sales or in the bank by the end of 2011? For without sales or revenue you will not be in business. This goal may include reference to profitability such as “maintaining existing levels of profitability” or “with a 5% increase in profitability.”
#2 – What continuing education units or professional development units (think mandated training and development) do you require to stay in business? This is critical for many engaged in professional services such as insurance agents, realtors (real estate agents), financial advisors, lawyers, engineers, physicians and health care practitioners.
#3 – What professional standards (including city, county or state mandated standards) must be maintained? If you are a health care facility, restaurant or business with ISO certification, you must maintain professional standards.
By embracing the well known KISS approach – Keep It Simple and Succinct – your mission statement will deliver far more bang for the book. Yes 2011 can be the best year yet to increase sales and all you must do is put together a simple goal driven action plan to make it so.
P.S. You may find this business planning workshop or teleclass of interest.
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