Resolution, Schmezolution
If you’re like most people, you probably make some resolutions at the beginning of every year, likely personal goals: lose a few pounds, travel more, take up a new hobby, etc. Hopefully, you set some goals for your business as well.
As the year progresses, it’s important to take stock:
- Are you sticking to your goals?
- Have you been able to mark some off your goals or resolutions as “completed”?
- How about your business goals? Are you well on your way to growing your business by the percentage you set for yourself in January?
Maybe you’ve had a really great year and already hit or surpassed your growth goal. If that’s the case, congratulations!
But what if you haven’t hit your goals yet? It may be time to take a step back and evaluate where you are.
The best way to set goals is to use the SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, and Time-Bound. Do your goals fit these parameters?
Missing the Mark?
No matter what time of year it is, you always have time to plan activities that will help get you closer to your goals, or, even better, surpass them in the future.
Look at your calendar and plan a couple of seminars and socials, a Client Advisory Board meeting, and a holiday event. This mix of activities will help you get in front of clients and prospects, push you closer to your goals, and ultimately, fill your pipeline for next year.
When planning your events, be sure that you have a “bring a friend” component to each event. This allows you to get in front of more people and reduces the sales pitch vibe from the event.
When it comes to seminars, invite a few clients to attend as well. You’re probably thinking, “They’re already my client, why would they want to come?” or, “I don’t want to reserve a seat for a current client when that seat could be occupied by a prospect.” Clients can serve important roles at your seminars: they can be your “MC” for the evening and introduce you, and they can also talk to seminar attendees and give them an insight into how you’ve helped them with their retirement plans. Clients are your credibility!
Executing the Plan
It’s never too late to have a conversation with your marketing manager to evaluate the goals you set for yourself and put together a plan of action to make this your best year yet!
