It’s a new year and, right after the ball drops, it’s time to go to work. Often entrepreneurs and business owners create their New Year’s Resolutions around their business. It could be more revenue, hiring clients or launching a new product or service, but every new year is an exciting time because it’s ripe with opportunity.
We asked entrepreneurs to share their business goals and what they were looking forward to in 2022. And this is what they had to say.
<#1- Read 12 books
I enjoy reading so much, whether it's fiction, poetry or personal development books. Setting a yearly reading goal and using Goodreads to keep track of how many books I've read have helped me stay on track. This has been quite helpful in keeping me motivated to continue reading. I've set a goal for myself of reading more than 12 books this year. I just think that 12 is a decent starting point for people who don't read very often because it gives you an entire month to complete each book.
Thanks to Rameez Usmani, Pure Tuber!
#2- Start a side hustle
I believe that having a side hustle is quite beneficial. In 2014, I created and started writing on my blog. Although it was once intended to be a hobby, it has now evolved into a full-time side business. Now that I look back, I'm quite grateful that I began blogging at the time I did! Not only has it enabled me to supplement my income while maintaining my full-time career, but it has also cleared the path for a great deal of personal and professional growth.
Thanks to Anjelica Rivera, Cell Tracking Apps!
#3- Set OKRs
In 2022, I am going to set Objectives and Key Results. This is an effective way to define goals and monitor progress. OKRs are made up of an objective—a specified aim—and three to five key results which are precise measures used to track that goal's achievement. Key results, which assess the success and influence of the ultimate goal, are used to measure these high-level, qualitative, inspirational goals. OKRs, like the SMART method, outline how to accomplish goals by taking concrete, specified and measurable activities.
Thanks to Dan Close, We Buy Houses in Kentucky!
#4- Find more balance
While the world of entrepreneurship evolves and everyone is looking for the next big trend, my goal is to find more balance within more business, that sweet spot between personalization and automation. I want my business to be more efficient but I don't want to lose the special touch that comes with having that personable relationship with your clients. Growing your business doesn't have to turn into a full corporation where your customers are just a number. In fact, to retain those clients long term, you need to invest in nurturing that relationship with them even if the task proves difficult due to time constraint.
Thanks to Nicky Taveras, DNT Home Buyers!
#5- Generate more leads
Our top goal in 2022 is to generate more leads for cases. As a personal injury law firm, protecting the safety of our community has always been our number one priority. Generating more leads for cases means our law firm is present in the community and community members know they can count on us to defend them. This goal is more than brand awareness and is a fulfilling goal for our team to pursue.
Thanks to Gregory Herrman, Herrman & Herrman PLLC!
#6- Boost organic traffic
Increasing my revenue by attracting more leads is my plan for 2022. Content marketing is one of the most effective techniques to generate organic traffic to your website and attract new leads. To examine my present visitor levels, I'll start by checking my website analytics data. I'll use this as a starting point for setting goals for traffic growth in 2022. I'll work to enhance traffic by conducting keyword research to see which terms are popular among your target demographic. Develop and publish material that is relevant to your target keywords on a regular basis. I'll then keep track of my progress and adapt my goals and techniques in response to changes in my traffic patterns.
Thanks to Gavin Johnson, Evking!
#7- Commit to strategic journaling
I've gained a lot more clarity about my strategic direction as well as insight into what gives me energy and what drains me. It has allowed me to restructure my company around the job that I enjoy and where I can have the most influence while delegating or outsourcing the rest.
Thanks to Bram Jansen, VPN Alert!
#8- Incorporate more videos
My primary priority for my product review website in 2022 is to increase the amount of video content I post. When it comes to grabbing the attention of your target audience, nothing beats the power of video. It will be interesting to see how introducing videos into my company's content strategy would improve the customer experience. My opinion is that our current audience will be pleased and we may even see an increase in the number of people that attend our events.
Thanks to Andrew Priobrazhenskyi, Discount Reactor!
#9- Optimize sales process
Partnerships, pay-per-click ads, resellers, direct-sales people and social media are all ways in which our organization generates revenue. While they may all be lucrative, in 2022, I'd like to leverage our internal analytics to better determine which channels we should divest from so that we can reinvest in more successful sales channels that bring in high-value customers and partners.
Thanks to Adam Wood, Revenue Geeks!
#10- Rethink ‘Manic Mondays’
I'll adopt a plan in which the majority of meetings and events will occur on Monday and Tuesday, with the remainder of the week filled with creative, work and deliverables time. This will be adjusted to suit my rhythm, which will have an impact on every part of my work. It will help me set more reliable deadlines, improve time blocking and boost productivity. It will also cater to a healthy lifestyle with more breathing room, which will nourish my mind and spirit.
Thanks to Lauren Cook-McKay, Divorce Answers!
#11- Generate passive income
I'm interested in continuing selling my online course and even my one-on-one program but, beginning in 2022, I'll be experimenting with ways to generate passive income streams through ad revenue and sponsored postings. It's been working well so far but I know that, with a little more effort, I can expand these sources of income to generate almost as much money as I do from sales.
Thanks to Jay Bats, Content Base!
#12- Boost revenue
As an entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to use your time and abilities to create the life of your dreams. I have therefore set a goal to accomplish a number of things that will help me achieve that goal. I have planned to double my revenue this year compared to last year. In addition, I will work with real estate clients to assist them increase their revenue through the photography of real estate to take on more significant campaigns with reputable organizations.
Thanks to Jared Bauman, Photography for Real Estate!
#13- Focus on growth
Instead of hiring from outside, my goal for 2022 is to focus on growth and provide leadership chances within our firm. We have an incredible team that wants to grow with us and there is no greater responsibility than inspiring, encouraging and leading the people that are the cornerstone of our hard work and success. Without my staff, I would most likely still be running my business from home instead of building it to where it is now. The very least a business owner can do in exchange for an employee's loyalty is to provide them with greater chances.
Thanks to Gerrid Smith, Property Tax Loan Pros!
#14- Establish realistic organizational processes
As an expert, I have a variety of objectives for my business but the most critical is to establish realistic organizational processes. While it may appear that the point of making business resolutions is to be overly ambitious, there are times when a more pragmatic approach is beneficial. While many people organize their homes at the start of the year, you can organize your business. And the foundation of any effective organizational system is the development of realistic processes. It's all too easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new year and set your sights on significant changes. However, for an organizational system to be sustainable, it must be grounded in reality. I recommend that you examine what worked and what did not work for you and your staff over the last year. Additionally, be aware of which processes appeared to be more trouble than they were worth and which you had to refresh repeatedly due to the system's difficulty at the time and then utilize your findings to revise your processes in preparation for 2022.
Thanks to Benjamin Knowles, E-Scooters Central!
#15- Spend less time online
As a full-time employee, I spend most of my day at work in front of a computer. At night, I run an online business. So, it's safe to assume that I'm spending a lot of my time on the internet. I also have to spend time on social media because I run a blog. One of my 2022 goals is to spend less time on the internet. I often find myself in a situation where I have no choice but to comply. But when I'm not working and with my family, I want to make a conscious effort to pay attention to them and spend more time outside rather than constantly looking at my phone.
Thanks to Tim Davidson, Car Title Loan Lenders!
#16- Boost customer and user experience
I'll be seeking to send the right message to the right people at the right time on the appropriate channels with CX. So, figuring out when, what and how customers receive our communications will require a grasp of our client lifetime. Our smart marketing campaign will be an effort to provide our clients with the greatest possible experience. Giving members the choice to choose which holidays they're marketed to, whether it's Mother's Day or Father's Day, Valentine's Day or a variety of other holidays. Allowing your database to choose what they get goes a long way toward building a stronger link, which leads to higher retention.
Thanks to Ariana Flynn, Proxy Rack!
#17- Become a better presenter
I would like to become a better presenter in 2022. For three years, I presented to my company's CEO every two weeks. That much experience forced me to improve my presentation skills. It didn't happen overnight, though. It took me a few full blunders before I sat down and figured it out. One of the most advantageous areas you may improve is your presentation skills. When it comes to presenting, everyone can improve on something. The 10-20-30 rule–a total of 10 ten slides, 20 minutes and 30 points font size–came in handy for me. More than 10 slides are excessive. Your topic is too intricate if you can't explain your ideas in 10 slides or less. If you absolutely must, try putting your information in an appendix. Frequently, data that you believe is important to support your main point isn't. It can be included without wasting time by adding it to an appendix. When I gave a presentation to my CEO, I always started with my conclusion. For years, however, I did the exact opposite. I saved the most crucial information until last. The CEO would then become distracted by an earlier presentation, and we'd never get to my final point. Plus, bosses have a lot on their plates. They would rather receive an answer first and then ask questions.
Thanks to Tim Parker, Syntax Integration!
#18- Read at least one book per week
Before the internet, the greatest method to learn something new was to read a book. Today, books are still an excellent source of information. Last year, I read 17 novels and could easily have read twice as many if I had pushed harder. Several of my pals read more than 50 novels per year regularly. Pick up a book instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram late at night. Alternatively, you may invest in a Kindle. Make it a goal to read for 15 minutes every night before bed. I find that leaving my phone in the living room when I go to bed helps. That way, I won't be tempted to grab it off my nightstand for a dopamine rush. I'll have to get out of bed and go get it if I truly want to examine it. This barrier creates friction, which aids me in meeting my reading objective.
Thanks to Sasha Quail, Claims UK!
#19- Commit to anything for 30 days
Every day for a month, I wrote and published a blog article and it completely transformed my life. I made it to Hacker News first page. I began consulting, which enabled me to finance my home remodel. All of this would not have been possible if I hadn't begun blogging. However, blogging every week or once per month is insufficient. That is why I suggest doing it every day of the month. It not only aids in the formation of a new habit but it also allows you to make far more headway than if you proceeded at a slower pace. The only caveat I have is that physical activities should be avoided. You may be tempted to exercise or run every day but this is a sure way to injure yourself. If your body is telling you something is amiss, pay attention to it.
Thanks to Adam Crossling, Zenzero!
#20- Have a better work-life balance
I am looking to have a better work/life balance in 2022. Having founded my company at the back end of 2020, 2021 was one of the hardest working years of my life. Now that I have gotten a bit of traction and, more importantly margin, I am looking to slowly pull myself out of my business in 2022 and free up more of my time to spend with my friends and family. I have broken this down into four steps: 1) Take a one-month time audit to work out where my time is really being spent in my business and what tasks can be most easily outsourced; 2) Create detailed standard operating procedures for the tasks that I have chosen to outsource; 3) Hire two new members of staff over a four-month period, one at a time; and 4) Create longer term key performance indicators for staff members based on their initial performance
Thanks to John Wright, Stats Drone!
#21- Build relationships
One of my primary goals for 2022 is sustainable business growth by building relationships with referral partners and complementary service providers. Establishing a referral partnership with complementary businesses that augment the services I provide my clients is a win-win-win for my business, their business and our clients. It extends the reach each business can offer its customer base by being able to refer to partners we know, like and trust, and our clients have the assurance that they will receive quality services through a trusted referral partnership. Working with referral partners and complementary service providers elevates the services I have access to and reinforces my business as the go-to for my ideal clients.
Thanks to Erin Nesci, Erin Nesci Creative!
#22- Allow people take on leadership roles
My company's growth and leadership development will be my primary priority in 2022 rather than relying on external hires. As the driving force behind our hard work and achievements, we have an incredible group of people who are eager to progress with us. It is our duty to motivate, inspire and guide this group. Without my employees, I wouldn't have been able to expand my business into what it is now if I hadn't taken the leap of faith and hired them. More opportunities are the least a business owner can provide in return for their employees' dedication.
Thanks Ben Zellner, 3000 Mile Myth!
#23- Have weekends off
For years, I have been working as hard as I can to make sure everything in the company is on track. And when the pandemic came, it only made sense to me to work even harder because, otherwise, I believe our business would suffer to a point of no return and we don’t want that. Though I kept my business going amidst all the uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought, I also sacrificed so much time and energy in the process. That’s why my goal this 2022 is to have my weekends off and spend it for myself and my family. I believe that doing this much-needed weekend rest will also recharge my batteries, which will help me perform better as a business leader in the long run.
Thanks to James Wilkinson, Balance One Supplements!
#24- Optimize digital marketing strategy
My goal for 2022 is to optimize our digital marketing strategy. We have seen that buyers have a preference for digital channels and there is an important role for them to play in our marketing strategy. Moving forward, we will look for opportunities to leverage digital touchpoints and interactions to create a great customer experience through virtual channels.
Thanks to Mark Daoust, Quiet Light!
#25- Focus on growth
2022 is going to be a big year for us. We're a boutique video production agency and we're focused on growth in 2022. After two years of uncertainty and self-preservation, 2022 is the year we take risks. We plan on hiring several senior positions this year and really bulking up our services offerings. Video production has been booming in our area after so much pent-up demand in 2020 and early 2021. We've also been investing in many new technologies and plan on continuing to do that, especially in camera and computer hardware as our industry continues to shift towards more nimble productions. We also plan on making big investments in SaaS and streamlining our processes, ultimately to help make our client experience even more engaging, fun and satisfying.
Thanks to Daniel Lichtenberg, Slow Clap Productions!
#26- Triple website traffic
My company's goal for 2022 is to triple our website traffic and production. We are looking to have over 200 articles posted on our blog and optimized for new potential clients to read and be informed. We also have a goal of hiring more agents in our call center to handle the overflow of business coming in. Another goal is to automate our customer service for our existing clients so if they have any basic questions they will be answered in a timely manner. We want to provide a smooth customer and sales experience both for our clients and our sales force.
Thanks to Tim Connon, Paramount Quote!
#27- Make $1,000 daily
My goals for 2022 are to bring in at least $1,000 a day in sales, have my products stocked in over 30 stores throughout the country and grow my community on my social media pages while staying motivated and expanding my skills as an entrepreneur and business owner. I am confident and excited in knowing that everything I put my focus on can come true!
Thanks to Irene Colon, Abeille Bliss!
#28- Step aside
My major goal for 2022 is to completely remove myself from working in the business so I can work on the business. We experienced outlandish growth last year and have built a brilliant team of designers, developers and project specialists. It's time to hand over the keys of the day-to-day running of the business to them so I can focus on deeper strategy with clients, building relationships and building a business that makes a major impact.
Thanks to Kevin Geary, Digital Gravy!
#29- Scale up
I really want to expand my team. 2021 was a big year for us and, if we continue to head in the same direction this year, scaling up will be more than justifiable. I also want my team to expand into new areas as well. Right now, we are mainly focused on home security but I would love it if we could get into the various subsets of cybersecurity. There is definitely a need for education and proactive measures in the world of cybersecurity right now, which is why I hope we can help make a difference there soon.
Thanks to Kristen Bolig, Security Nerd!
#30- Keep balancing work and life
Being an entrepreneur is amazing but it can be a roller coaster of emotions and hardships with extremes on both ends. It can be really difficult to create a work-life balance or to feel like one exists at all. I have two young girls and a company of over 50 employees and, in 2022, I want to focus on putting more energy and effort into the things that give me pleasure and finding time to focus on myself. This has been something I’ve been focused on since the beginning of the pandemic and I want to continue working on it, for both mindset and health.
Thanks to Roy Morejon, Enventys Partners!