Goal Setting Procedure + Framework
Sure, we’ll start hearing about setting goals once we’re about to flip the calendar - but why not get a head start and hit the ground running on January 1; plan in hand and New Year strategy set?
It can be hard to know where to start and do business differently - I am here to help change that.
*Framework/template to help you below - Section 1-3
There are a few ways to ensure you are working on your business - not just in it.
Goal setting can mean something different to every business owner, and here’s why!
For some - everything in their business has a number.
For others - barely anything does.
For most of us - our direct client work, operations, and the reactive pieces that come up in the week get most of our attention.
We may have our revenue goal, and a few other numbers mapped out, but we are missing so many others - most often those ‘others’ being the targets/goals we need to have a solid strategy to hit the financial targets.
It’s so important to check-in and really ask ourselves what we want to accomplish in our business this year & every year after that. Our ideal situation - reversed into a plan to get there - crazy, right? But we can actually have it all and get there feeling balanced and whole.
Things to remember:
If you only have it in you to assess some larger annual goals, and one quarter at a time, that’s okay
Planning for this time crucial to your business’s success
Small targets - even 3 per company role, that are tracked weekly/monthly is vital to feeling more balanced, less reactive, and to calm the overwhelm from chasing everything
You can spend 60-90 minutes at the start of your fiscal year to have a substantial impact on your business for the year/quarter to come
The template/framework below is here to help you complete this process
AND if you don’t want to take this on:
I have all of the templates, and we can spend a few hours completing this together - Which means:
you will then know the entire process and have all of the templates + checklists for future goal planning sessions
*you can replicate the process every year/quarter after that with ease and confidence
I’m always available to help if needed, but this process and the tools provided will empower you and not make you dependent on me being a part of the process every time
*Please see the framework/template below - copy & paste to blank document if needed
Section 1 - Understanding the Layers
There are a few layers to goal setting for each area of the business -
There are:
KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators - aka - a measurable task that is tracked)
Targets | financial, sales-focused (ex units sold, outreach), client retention, reviews, outreach focused, content-focused
Quarterly goals, some leading to the success of the annual goals
Annual Goals
Monthly markers/milestones towards annual/quarterly goals
Planning for each of the above requires 4 levels -
Level 1 :
Set all goals and targets
Level 2 :
Set time aside to work on the deliverables/content/etc
Level 3 :
Execution
Level 4 :
Performance review
Most of the time, entrepreneurs own all of the levels - or at least have to audit each.
When you are goal planning, it is helpful to have the following documents -
KPI Tracker + Performance Tracker
Annual + Quarterly Goal Setting Template
Goal Setting Content Doc
Business Development + Content Calendar
Bonus Doc - Weekly + Monthly Checklist
Section 2 - Document Breakdown/Overview
1. KPI’s - KPI Tracker + Performance Tracker
If you don’t have any KPI’s set, open a blank doc, write out all the roles in your company, and start a list under each of what small daily or weekly tasks you would like to set a numbered/measurable target to
*Examples from Social Media + Marketing Roles
Posts/week
Stories/week
Reels/week
Etc
Marketing
Seasonal Campaign
Newsletter/quarter
Blog Post/month
Etc
*Cover all roles - finance, sales, operations, etc
Next,
Input all of these numbers into a KPI Tracker
you can use Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, etc.
you can then duplicate that sheet to revise for a Performance Tracker
*if you use a Google Sheet, go to the bottom tab, select the black arrow, select duplicate, rename Performance Tracker) and use that copy to track the performance/metrics (picture example below)
then revise the content you are tracking to reflect performance tracking
Tip, I track my KPI’s weekly, and their performance monthly (whatever you decide to try first is a great 1st step and can be adjusted)
*Examples of Metrics to Track in Social Media
Impressions
Reach
New Followers
Actions taken on account
Profile Visits
Website Clicks
Etc
*Review your KPI Tracker + Performance Tracker even every quarter to ensure they are both working for you and revise as needed
Examples -
2. Annual + Quarterly Goal Setting Template
At the start of the fiscal year - or any quarter that you want to set goals for, use an Annual + Quarterly Goal Setting Template to start mapping out your year (or quarter) in a snapshot. There should be a place for the larger annual goals, the quarterly goals, and space to write out any issues that could challenge these goals from being met ex - money.
Within that document, there should also be a list of all the months - once you have decided on the annual + quarterly goals, you can put the plan/tasks/actions items (monthly markers/milestones) in the monthly breakdown portion to help you stay on track.
*What good are goals if you don't have a strategy in place to hit them!
Example -
3. Goal Setting Content Doc
This document can assist you when using the goal setting doc above. It should be a breakdown of different options to help spark ideas across all areas of the business.
Example -
4. Business Development + Content Calendar
This calendar will help capture your business and content goals monthly and help you plan and organize. Within this calendar - CEO Time and Content Batching Time is an important focus - and to be honest, the area most entrepreneurs struggle with as operations gets most of their attention)
Input any quarterly goals and monthly markers/milestones from the Annual + Quarterly Goal Setting Template
Ensure the KPI’s you set for each role are met
ex social media + marketing | Instagram 3 posts/week
Goal Planning + Goal Review Time
CEO Time
schedule reminders for that time in your actual google/outlook calendar. That way, if you need to reschedule any sessions because of client work, you aren’t just missing it completely)
Tip, I schedule 2 hours of CEO Time every Monday, and on the last Monday of every month - a full CEO Day to plan and batch my social media + marketing content
***The calendar I’ve created for my clients has a key along the side to help them strategize and brainstorm within the month. That makes it simple to copy & paste and move things around as needed.
Example -
*This helps them see the content goals/needs and the business development needs in a realistic way - and balance the month out.
*Bonus Doc
5. Weekly + Monthly Checklist
This document can help ensure that time is spent covering all areas of the business. It helps ensure the weekly/monthly accountability tools in place get used.
When we own every role - or close to it - there are a few layers to set up each for momentum and success
Ex - Marketing,
Set goals, targets, overall plan/strategy, etc.
Creating all the content to support the plan and meet the goals
Executing the plan and tracking performance/metrics etc.
It can be hard to know where to start, making each week/month very reactive instead of organized and balanced.
Example -
Whereas the Monthly Checklist Portion of that doc will help plan for some of the more significant tasks and needs -
Ex - Monthly Social Media Plan, Monthly Marketing Plan, Lead Generation, etc.
*Review the content of this document quarterly to ensure you don't want to revise it in any way.
Section 3 - Executing
Annual + Quarterly Goals
Towards the end of the fiscal year, you will want to schedule an annual goal planning session. Set a reminder in your google/outlook calendar - that way, if you need to reschedule the session because of client work, you aren't just missing it completely)
On that day:
use the Annual + Quarterly Goal Setting Template to plan everything out
*use the Goal Setting Content Doc to help support this process
then input everything that is needed from the goal-setting template into the Business Development + Content Calendar (annual goals, quarterly goals, monthly markers/milestones from the monthly breakdown)
*Schedule the Quarterly + Monthly Goal Review time as well (as seen in the key example)
*Again, what good are goals if you aren't tracking the strategy you put in place to hit them!
Review your KPI Tracker + Performance Tracker to ensure all your KPI’s and targets are set to help with ongoing metrics that need to be tracked per company role
Tip, it's a great time to ensure your the following are to date
Weekly + Monthly Checklist
The ‘Key’ in your Business Development + Content Calendar
*Review and revise anything that is needed!
Start here, and if it's too much - reach out.
Book your 4-hour strategy session + dig into the details, plans, and purposeful work that will make the coming year one for the books. I have the tools, templates, and everything needed to make this process feel approachable, successful, and positive. Get a clear plan so you can feel the impact of working on your business, and not just in it.
Email me today for your free consultation, and let's get started today!
