A good article on Business Dictionary.com talks about developing an action plan to accomplish goals. It’s important to have an action plan for every goal you have listed, whether it’s personal or business. Some of you may remember that I have talked about my goal of winning the lottery. My action plan to make this happen is to buy a ticket.
No ticket, no win, it’s that simple. Of course I may never win the lottery, but at least by having an action plan I have given myself a fighting chance.
So look at your goals for each of the different areas of your business and if each one of your goals doesn’t have specific action plans, then it’s time to add them under each one of your goals. If you haven’t stated your goals for each of the areas of your business rather than an overall goal (To be successful), now is the time to do it.
You also want to be specific with your goals. If, for example, you are planning an event, you need to have a clear picture of what your goals are, such as how much product you want to sell and how many people you want to attend and how many new people you want to add to your mailing list. Once you have got the goals sorted, then add details, such as we want to sell products totaling $5,000 dollars to the 130 people who attend the event, 40 of whom will be added to our mailing list.
Your goals should be realistic but make them a bit of a stretch. After all you want everyone to feel good about having reached the goals. Once you have your goals, let everyone who is involved know the goals and get them involved in making an action plans. Include deadlines as part of the action plan. Keep track of your progress along the way, to make sure you are on target
If these are plans for longer-term goals, create rewards along the way as certain objectives are reached. We all perform better when rewards are part of the project.
A tip of the glass from me to you
E column
by Elizabeth “E” Slater, In Short Direct Marketing
A recognized expert in the fields of direct marketing and sales in the wine marketplace. Slater has taught more wineries and winery associations how to create and improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing programs and to make the most of each customer’s potential than anyone in the wine industry today.
