SETTING THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS IN 2025 It’s that time of year again as the industry reboots and things ramp up for a new year as we reflect on how the previous 12 months have gone. What lessons we have learned, what have we achieved or not achieved, and how can we make 2025 better and stronger? When heading into a new year, it’s important to set yourself goals in order to give yourself a clear direction. If you set out clear, well-defined goals, it makes decision-making so much easier within your business. It also makes it far easier to track your progress. Constantly reviewing these goals will keep you accountable for your actions. If you’re falling short in certain areas of your business or going off track, these goals will remind you of what is important to you and what you want to achieve so you can focus on serving your initial aims. I want to highlight what happens when we don't set goals for ourselves and our businesses. 1. Lack of Direction Without goals, your business lacks clear direction. This can lead to ad-hoc decision-making and a reactive approach rather than a proactive approach to challenges and opportunities that may come your way 2. Financial Uncertainty Goals, especially those tied to financial metrics, help in forecasting and financial planning. Without them, your business may well face financial uncertainty and instability. 3. Decreased Motivation & Engagement Goals provide employees with something to strive for. Without them, it's difficult to foster a sense of purpose or achievement, leading to decreased motivation and engagement among team members. 4. Inefficient Use of Resources Goals help in prioritising how resources are allocated. Without clear goals, resources may be spread too thinly or invested in areas that do not contribute significantly enough for your business to grow sustainably. 5. Difficulty in Measuring Success Goals serve as a benchmark for success. Without them, it becomes challenging to measure your progress or determine the effectiveness of the strategies you are executing. 6. Poor Communication Goals are essential for internal communication. They ensure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet and working towards the same objectives. Without them, confusion and misunderstanding are more likely to occur. 7. Risk of Complacency Setting ambitious goals can push a business to exceed its limits. Without goals, there is a risk you will become complacent and settle for the standard rather than strive for continuous improvement. 8. Competitive Disadvantage From my own experiences and having worked with hundreds of other printing companies, businesses that set and pursue ambitious goals are often the ones to innovate and capture market share. Without clear goals, your business may fall behind your competition which is more strategically focused. 9. Inability to Attract & Retain Talent High performers are often driven by goals and the opportunity to contribute to Colin Sinclair McDermott, aka The Online Print Coach, introduces methods you can utilise in the coming months to review 2025 goals and ensure they are staying on track Having been in the print industry since the mid-late 90s, Colin Sinclair McDermott entered the world of self-employment in 2004 and over the years that followed, experienced a number of highs and lows running his own print company, learning what does and doesn’t work. In 2022, he trained with The Business Coaching Academy to become a fully certified corporate coach with the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. Through The Online Print Coach, industry members can access an online training platform, Print Mastermind and private 1-to-1 coaching with Sinclair McDermott. www.theonlineprintcoach.com What Happens When You Don’t Set Goals? INDUSTRY TIPS / THE ONLINE PRINT COACH 34 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk January / February 2025 - Issue 352 ▼ Sinclair McDermott says that effective goal keeping can help you feel more in control of your business and navigate obstacles before they happen
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==