Our clients get the most from us when we’ve agreed some clear goals. Goals are always under review, but once a year we sit down and revisit them. This ensures that your plans are still based on the latest thinking about what you want to achieve.

It can be useful to use the SMART approach for this – it’s old but gold. It gives us a way of judging how well thought-out each goal really is:

• Specific – Is your end point clear? ‘Make more profit’ or ‘Win more business’ are a bit vague. It’s best to target one particular area for improvement.
• Measurable – Try to attach numbers to the goal. Here’s a good example, “I’d like to increase my gross profit to 20% before the end of the year.”
• Achievable – Based on experience and research, is it do-able? If you’re not sure, this is something we can help with. Businesses will adapt over time, but it’s foolish to be over-ambitious.
• Realistic – Thinking about family, work and other commitments, how much time and energy can you bring to your goal? It may be better to start smaller.
• Time-bound – Have you said when the results will be achieved? At what point will you look back and judge? Your goals won’t work without a deadline.