Setting Strong 4th Quarter Goals
Q4 is here – and that can mean one of two things for your business: either constantly pushing to try to keep up with the chaos or working smoothly with your team to reach your goals.
Fourth quarter can be your most hectic time of year, but it doesn’t have to. Even though this time of year brings extra challenges, it can be your most profitable quarter.
The difference between these two options comes down to just a few choices: anticipating distractions, setting strong goals, and making sure you have the right systems and team in place to execute them.
This year, I want to help you have your most productive, profitable 4th Quarter yet!
Catch my free training, Reset for Fall, on Thursday, October 14 – click here to register!
Plan to Get Distractions Off Your Plate
One of the things that challenges us as business owners every year are the odd schedules and constant distractions of the holiday season. Whether you’re dealing with trying to align everyone’s schedules or deal with Q4 promotions, it seems like there’s always something popping up.
Anticipating these distractions and planning for them can make a huge difference!
Encourage your team to submit holiday time off far in advance so that you can make sure you have the coverage you need. I’ll never forget the year I gave my entire team the Friday after Thanksgiving off…and then ended up with a huge case that was set to go to trial the following Monday.
I couldn’t in good faith call my team back in, so I ended up working very long days throughout the holiday weekend to be ready. Offering my entire team a long weekend seemed like a wonderful idea at the time (and they loved me for it), but it cost me a lot. It also taught me a lesson: plan ahead and make sure to have the coverage I need.
Now, I ask each team member about their vacation plans for the upcoming quarter during their quarterly review. This allows me not only to get a good idea of vacation plans weeks or months in advance, but also allows me to make sure that each of my team members takes the time they need to rest, relax, and recharge.
As a team we work hard – I expect a lot of each employee – but we also play hard. I want my team to love what they do and celebrate each other’s wins!
Set Strong, Achievable Goals
Once you have your plans written down, it’s time to set some goals. Remember, this is Q4 – think big!
This is where your sales and marketing goals come in.
First, take a good look at your numbers with your bookkeeper. How have your sales been trending over the past year, and what are your most profitable services or products? Do you see any trends that surprise you?
I also recommend looking at your Q4 numbers from last year. What sold well? Can you pinpoint anything that may have caused that trend?
Once you have that analysis, it’s time to determine some strong, achievable sales goals. What would you like your team to accomplish during fourth quarter, and how can you make it happen?
Since you have already developed your Q4 calendar and have a good idea of when you’ll have coverage, it’s time to plan your marketing and promotional calendar. Instead of drowning in the holiday hustle and bustle, your team can implement your plan!
Make Sure You Have Strong Systems in Place!
Your systems and team are the foundation of your business. They are what allow you to grow and become profitable without having to do it all yourself – and without having to devote all of your time and energy to your business.
A lot of business owners find it challenging to develop and implement the systems they need, thinking they have to build those systems from the ground up. I get it – that’s exhausting, and few business owners have the time to do it. You have a business to run!
The good news is, you can build your systems without reinventing the wheel. We have created packages that lead you through each step, that have Policies & Procedures Manuals ready for you to tweak and use. These can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars – all while helping you build a business that can function profitably even when you’re not there.
Once these systems are built, you and your team can refine them as needed. Having them in place will make life – and growth – easier for everyone, especially during busy times like Q4! Looking for more tips to get ahead of the Q4 chaos? Check out the video below and be sure to register for my free training on Thursday, October 14!