New Year Planning for your Business is something you need to do for both your business and personal life, especially if it’s a solo business or online venture. Listening to Jim Rohn’s speeches on time management essentials, you must write your goals at the end or beginning of every year. Why? To lay down your strategy so that you have a plan to follow throughout the year. Most companies do this as a way to connect with their employees. It’s called the kick-off meeting or kick-off weekend.
For both personal development and business growth, it is crucial to continually review your goals and metrics. The end game is to begin directing your efforts towards what needs to be achieved for success, rather than getting bogged down in minor tasks. Remember, you have to think on paper.
A Kick-Off weekend is necessary to start your business on the right foot. So, how do you work and plan your kick-off weekend? Here are some ideas that worked for me while planning for my flower shop and blog when it was a solo business with no employees.
Disconnect to Reconnect
For your Kick-Off weekend to be successful, you need to concentrate on your business and ideas. However, life often interferes. Unexpected calls, friends wanting to chat, family needing help – these are not bad things; it’s good to have a life. However, to concentrate and get work done, sometimes getting away is the best option for your New Year Planning for your Business.
The best option is to get away from home. In my case, I need a quiet, comfortable place to work and be inspired. So, I booked a two-night stay in a lovely hotel in a beautiful Central American city I had previously visited with a friend. The room had a bathtub and a view. I arrived on a Friday night and checked out on a Monday (taking two days off my job). This worked for me, but here are other ideas I considered:
- Stay at a beach hotel.
- Retreat in my apartment.
- Go to the mountains.
If your budget allows it, you may consider these alternatives:
- New York City
- Vermont
- Turks and Caicos
Make sure you plan your weekend ahead. To be effective, I highly recommend having a schedule to follow. Here’s the one I used for this weekend for a business :
Define or Review Your Mission Statement
As a business, a Mission Statement is essential. It serves as your compass – guiding you when you’re unsure of your direction. It’s crucial to have a clear, concise, and heartfelt statement.
The Mission Statement I defined for this blog is: “To be the blog for the independent woman designed to be a source of inspiration for every aspect of life, ranging from personal finance and entrepreneurship to style and personal growth.”
Let’s break it down:
- To be the blog for the independent woman: Establish who you are.
- Designed to be a source of inspiration: State what you aim to do.
- From personal finance and entrepreneurship to style and personal growth: Describe how you intend to do it.
It took at least 10 drafts until I settled on the final version. Make sure to answer these questions when doing your brainstorm session and the words will flow eventually:
- 1. What is the purpose of your business?
- 2. What products or services do you offer?
- 3. Who are your target customers or audience?
- 4. What makes your business unique or different from competitors?
- 5. What values and principles do you want your business to embody?
- 6. What impact do you hope to have on your customers or community?
- 7. How do you want your business to be perceived by others?
- 8. What are your long-term goals and aspirations for the business?
- 9. How do you want to inspire or motivate your employees?
- 10. What legacy do you want your business to leave behind?
Find examples from companies unrelated to your field, but don’t overwhelm yourself. Be authentic and confident in what you want to represent.
Define your Objectives and Strategies
Having set your course, define how to reach your destination. Objectives are simply what you want to achieve. Using the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) makes defining objectives easier. The number and content of objectives depend on your needs. That’s why I recommend dedicating a weekend for the kick-off. Take your time, brainstorm, and jot down your thoughts. Remember to write everything down – utilize journals to stay inspired at every step of the way.
Firstly, I like to categorize my objectives into five categories: Strategic, Financial, Marketing or Social, and Operational. Strategic represents where you want to go; Financial relates to income and expenses; Marketing pertains to promotional results, and Operational covers actionable steps.
Secondly, I employ the following table to formulate “SMART” objectives in each category, as the example in the following table:
Complete or update your Business Canvas
If you successfully completed the previous steps with a burst of energy, kudos to you! For this New Year Planning for your business, now focus on your Business Canvas. Here, define your value proposition, niche, cost structure, and revenue streams. I delve deeper into this topic in the post “The 3 Most Essentials Tips to Start a Business”. Depending on your familiarity, learn what a business canvas entails and brainstorm ideas for each of the 9 categories it comprises. At the end of this session your business canvas should answer the following:
Ensure You Have Your Materials
Technology is practical, especially for computer-based work. However, as a visual and hands-on learner, I require tactile engagement. Additionally, having a physical reminder in my home office is helpful. Depending on your goals for the kick-off, here’s a list of materials to consider bringing:
- I initially used this Planner from Amazon, but now I design my own available on Amazon KDP.
- Post-its (these or your preferred brand)
- Cork Boards (hexagonal ones from Amazon, compact enough to fit a suitcase)
- Markers and pens (personal favorites for writing )
Disclaimer: I completed this process in 2019. Since then, my blogging strategy, niche, mission, vision, and tagline have evolved. You can read more about my blogging journey in the about us section.
Closing thoughts
Embarking on a New Year Planning journey for your business is not just a task; it’s a roadmap to success. By taking the time to set clear goals, craft a focused mission, and strategize your actions, you pave the way for growth and achievement in the upcoming year.
Remember to stay true to your vision, embrace the process, and nurture your dreams with purposeful action. May your Kick-Off weekend be the catalyst that propels your business toward new heights. Here’s to a year filled with inspiration, innovation, and endless possibilities! Cheers to your business aspirations and a future brimming with success. Let this be the year where your dreams flourish, and your dedication bears fruit.
