Whether your initial business goal was to set up a natural therapy clinic, or to establish a client based for your mobile massage service, if you want to keep your business growing and pushing boundaries you need a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)!
A BHAG is a goal for your business that is medium to long term and challenging but not impossible. It also needs to be something that can be clearly defined so you know when you have reached it.
By giving yourself something clearly defined and exciting to strive for you will find yourself continually pushing forward in your business. It will help you stay focused on what you want your business to be and where you want it to go.
A notable example is Amazon.com’s BHAG which is “Every book, ever printed, in any language, all available in less than 60 seconds.” It is a massive goal but, like all BHAGs, it is possible and it gives the whole company a focus to work towards together.
For a start-up natural therapy business your BHAG might be something like “To be acknowledged as the leading acupuncturist in my local area.” It is achievable and gives you something to aim for. One way to do this is to reach your target market by advertising your business through local business listing sites.
All businesses need short-term goals as well as a BHAG - perhaps you want to find five new clients, increase your monthly turn over by a set month or get your admin under control - but meeting those short-term goals should always be moving you towards your BHAG.
The beauty of the BHAG technique is that it can be used just as effectively in a tiny business that is run out of a garage as it can for a world-wide corporation. It is all about setting out where you want your business to go, and then working towards making that a reality.
If you want to read more about the BHAG technique try Verne Harnish’s: Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Fast-Growth Firm.
