By Robert Cordray

As you take a look at your companies revenue goals in 2014, it’s likely that you’ll either be pleased or frustrated with the results that you have. For the companies out there that are booming, you may have already exceeded your goals and are on pace for a record breaking year. However, if you take a look at your revenue forecast and realize that you aren’t on pace to reach your goals, then it’s time that you make some changes to ensure that you end the year as profitable as you had hoped. Here are some ways that you can meet your revenue goals in 2014, or even how you can push your goals further if you’ve already surpassed your expectations.

Set SMART goals
If you are a business owner and you don’t know about SMART goals, then it’s time to get back to the drawing board. SMART goals are those that are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Specific. By setting these goals, you’ll know exactly what it is that you are trying to achieve, as well as where you need to be along the way in order to ensure that you are on the right path to succeed. Furthermore, SMART goals can be adjusted throughout the year to better ensure that you and your company are able to stick to them and stay motivated to complete them.

Make sure everyone is on the same page
Once you have set the SMART goals for your company, it’s important that you pass this information on to the rest of your employees and staff. If your employees have no clue what it is that you are trying to achieve, then they will not have an understanding of what they should be doing on a regular basis to meet their goals. Furthermore, breaking down what each person needs to do in order for your company to achieve these goals will make it easier to ensure that everyone is doing their part to reach an overall revenue goal for 2014.

Keep up with frequent updates
There aren’t many people in business settings that enjoy being micromanaged. If you brought in a staff member to do a job, then you should expect that they’ll be able to diligently complete what’s expected of them. However, if you are too out of touch with your employees and staff, then you may not realize what is happening with your company. For example, some employees may be having trouble to reach their goals, which would then require that you help them change their efforts and figure out what needs to be done differently.

On the other hand, you may find that some employees are surprising their goals and need more of a challenge, which you can then put on them to help reach the revenue target for the year. The right combination of management and freedom is the best when it comes to keeping up with updates, but just being completely hands-off will surely harm your company moving forward. Many have found that using a management program and app helps them keep track of their employee efforts.

Instill reward programs
If you expect to get the most from your employees, then you may have to consider some negotiation tactics to push them to be their best. When it comes to reaching your revenue goals of 2014, your employees will be more eager to do so if there is something in it for them as well. The rewards that you offer are up to you and they can be based on success; but whatever they are, it’ll certainly improve passion around the office and get people motivated to do their part.

Innovate and change
For those that have failed to stay on track for their revenue goals in 2014, it’s important to evaluate what it is that has caused for the inability to surpass the hurdles. In doing so, you can then look to the future to make sure that you don’t come across the same problems. In addition, innovation and change will help even those that have already overcome their revenue goals to push further and achieve more.

You still have time to reach your revenue goals in 2014. But in order to make sure that you can get back on the right track, consider the tips here for doing pushing your team to be their best.

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About the Author: Robert Cordray is a former business consultant and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and a wide variety of knowledge in multiple areas of the industry. He currently resides in the Southern California area and spends his time helping consumers and business owners alike try to be successful. When he’s not reading or writing, he’s most likely with his beautiful wife and three children. He may be reached at crodrayrobert5@gmail.com.