3:I[5613,[],""] 5:I[1778,[],""] 4:["slug","what-are-smart-goals","d"] 0:["QS1mjqIDG46P4XOhmgWsz",[[["",{"children":["resources",{"children":["business-plans",{"children":[["slug","what-are-smart-goals","d"],{"children":["__PAGE__?{\"slug\":\"what-are-smart-goals\"}",{}]}]}]}]},"$undefined","$undefined",true],["",{"children":["resources",{"children":["business-plans",{"children":[["slug","what-are-smart-goals","d"],{"children":["__PAGE__",{},["$L1","$L2",null]]},["$","$L3",null,{"parallelRouterKey":"children","segmentPath":["children","resources","children","business-plans","children","$4","children"],"loading":"$undefined","loadingStyles":"$undefined","loadingScripts":"$undefined","hasLoading":false,"error":"$undefined","errorStyles":"$undefined","errorScripts":"$undefined","template":["$","$L5",null,{}],"templateStyles":"$undefined","templateScripts":"$undefined","notFound":"$undefined","notFoundStyles":"$undefined","styles":[["$","link","0",{"rel":"stylesheet","href":"/_next/static/css/2e6661b0417b461e.css","precedence":"next","crossOrigin":""}]]}]]},["$","$L3",null,{"parallelRouterKey":"children","segmentPath":["children","resources","children","business-plans","children"],"loading":"$undefined","loadingStyles":"$undefined","loadingScripts":"$undefined","hasLoading":false,"error":"$undefined","errorStyles":"$undefined","errorScripts":"$undefined","template":["$","$L5",null,{}],"templateStyles":"$undefined","templateScripts":"$undefined","notFound":"$undefined","notFoundStyles":"$undefined","styles":null}]]},["$","$L3",null,{"parallelRouterKey":"children","segmentPath":["children","resources","children"],"loading":"$undefined","loadingStyles":"$undefined","loadingScripts":"$undefined","hasLoading":false,"error":"$undefined","errorStyles":"$undefined","errorScripts":"$undefined","template":["$","$L5",null,{}],"templateStyles":"$undefined","templateScripts":"$undefined","notFound":"$undefined","notFoundStyles":"$undefined","styles":null}]]},[null,["$","html",null,{"lang":"en","children":[["$","head",null,{"children":[["$","meta",null,{"name":"robots","content":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1"}],["$","link",null,{"rel":"icon","href":"/images/website-icon.svg"}]]}],["$","body",null,{"itemScope":true,"itemType":"https://schema.org/SoftwareApplication","className":"c455","children":[["$","meta",null,{"itemProp":"applicationCategory","content":"Business Planning Service"}],["$","$L3",null,{"parallelRouterKey":"children","segmentPath":["children"],"loading":"$undefined","loadingStyles":"$undefined","loadingScripts":"$undefined","hasLoading":false,"error":"$undefined","errorStyles":"$undefined","errorScripts":"$undefined","template":["$","$L5",null,{}],"templateStyles":"$undefined","templateScripts":"$undefined","notFound":"$L6","notFoundStyles":[],"styles":null}]]}]]}],null]],[[["$","link","0",{"rel":"stylesheet","href":"/_next/static/css/f5c18260de885e3c.css","precedence":"next","crossOrigin":""}]],"$L7"]]]] 6:E{"digest":"NEXT_REDIRECT;replace;/;307;"} 8:I[4699,["6081","static/chunks/6081-024259f4f6c69551.js?v1757596121132","3842","static/chunks/3842-fc747814cdab0121.js?v1757596121132","6142","static/chunks/6142-fe3b722656e566bf.js?v1757596121132","995","static/chunks/app/resources/business-plans/%5Bslug%5D/page-d07cc0355ed69241.js?v1757596121132"],""] 9:T65bf,{"id":"cG9zdDoyMjYz","title":"What are SMART Goals & How to Achieve Them?","content":"\n
Setting goals effectively is crucial for success in any endeavor, be it personal growth or business achievements. This is where SMART goals come into play. But what are SMART goals exactly? SMART, an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound outlines a method that can transform nebulous ambitions into clear, actionable paths to success. Let’s dive deeper into each component of SMART goals to fully grasp how they bring structure and success to your planning efforts.
\n\n\n\nUnderstanding what SMART goals mean is essential for anyone looking to streamline their business operations. This goal-setting framework helps clarify your objectives while providing a structured approach. Whether you’re looking to enhance business operations or improve team productivity, understanding and applying the SMART framework can be a game changer in how effectively you meet your aspirations.
\n\n\n\nThe essence of SMART goals lies in their structure. Each acronym element guides the goal-setting process to ensure that objectives are strategic and within reach.
\n\n\n\nThe ‘Specific’ component of SMART goals necessitates a clear and concise definition of what you intend to achieve. This clarity helps eliminate ambiguity and focuses your efforts. When setting specific goals, it is crucial to outline your objectives’ who, what, when, where, and why, ensuring that every team member understands their responsibilities and the ultimate goal. Goals should be clear and precise. Instead of setting a goal to “increase sales,” specify the exact target, such as “increase sales by 20%.”
\n\n\n\nA measurable goal allows you to track your progress and stay motivated. Establishing concrete criteria for measuring progress towards achieving each goal enables you to stay on track, meet your deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goal. This could involve numerical targets, such as a sales increase, or qualitative measures, such as improving customer satisfaction.
\n\n\n\nThe ‘Achievable’ aspect of SMART goals assesses whether the goal is within reach. While ambition is important, setting realistic goals ensures that you can achieve them, given your current resources and constraints. This helps maintain morale and encourages consistent progress toward the goal.
\n\n\n\nRelevance ensures that your goal matters to your business and aligns with other relevant objectives. It’s important to ensure that every goal contributes toward broader business aims, fitting into your overall plan and business strategy. This alignment increases the effectiveness of your efforts and the likelihood of achieving more significant outcomes.
\n\n\n\nSetting a deadline provides a clear target and creates a sense of urgency that can motivate you and your team. Time-bound goals help prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and track progress more efficiently. They also provide a clear timeframe for reflection and adjustment of strategies, which is crucial for dynamic business environments.
\n\n\n\nTo better understand how SMART goals can be applied, consider these examples:
\n\n\n\nThese examples highlight how the SMART framework helps refine vague ideas into precise actions that drive business growth and operational efficiency.
\n\n\n\nAn action plan is a crucial companion to any SMART goal. It breaks down the steps necessary to achieve the defined objective, assigns responsibilities, and sets a timeline for each task. For a goal to be effective, it must be supported by a well-structured action plan that outlines:
\n\n\n\nThis systematic approach ensures that every component of the goal is addressed, making the overall objective more attainable.
\n\n\n\nUsing SMART goals provides several advantages:
\n\n\n\nRegular monitoring and evaluation are necessary to effectively implement and achieve SMART goals. This includes adjusting goals as needed, based on performance and changing conditions, to remain relevant and achievable. Celebrating small victories and milestones is also crucial for maintaining motivation and momentum.
\n\n\n\nReady to transform your business strategies? Begin by identifying a key area of improvement or growth within your business. Apply the SMART framework to define clear, actionable goals that are directly tied to your business’s success. Remember, precision in planning brings the promise of performance.
\n\n\n\nDon’t wait to put your plans into action. Utilize the tools and resources available at Modeliks to refine your goal-setting strategies and start achieving remarkable results today. Whether you’re looking to enhance productivity, boost sales, or optimize operations, setting SMART goals is your first step toward success. Start your journey today!
\n","slug":"what-are-smart-goals","date":"2024-05-21T09:09:59","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxMQ==","name":"Business Plans"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["business-plans"],"videoHeader":null},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"business planning"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoyMjY0","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/What-are-SMART-goals-and-how-to-achieve-them.jpg","altText":"Modeliks Guide: What are SMART goals and what do they mean for effective goal-setting and achieving business success."}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"Explore what are SMART goals and how they streamline your goals for success. This guide enhances goal-setting precision."},"modified":"2024-05-21T09:09:59","related":[{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTU0MQ==","title":"How Accountants Can Offer High-Margin Advisory Services","content":"\nThe accounting profession is shifting. Compliance and bookkeeping remain essential, but today’s clients expect more. They want guidance on how to run their business smarter, manage cash flow, and plan for the future.
\n\n\n\nAccording to a CPA.com survey:
\n\n\n\nThis means the demand is already there. The opportunity for accounting firms is clear: move beyond bookkeeping into high-margin advisory services.
\n\n\n\nFor most small and mid-sized firms, the hesitation is simple:
❌ Limited staff time
❌ No standardized tools for forecasting & reporting
❌ Concern about overcomplicating workflows
The good news? Advisory can be delivered at scale, without adding headcount or creating inefficiencies — if you have the right system.
\n\n\n\nModeliks helps accountants transform their existing relationships into advisory partnerships by automating the heavy lifting.
\n\n\n\nHere’s how it works in practice:
\n\n\n\n1️⃣ Connect QuickBooks in Minutes
Sync client actuals directly — no messy spreadsheets or manual imports.
2️⃣ Build Budgets & Automated Financials
Instantly generate a forward-looking P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statement, tailored to each client.
3️⃣ Deliver Dashboards & Variance Analysis
Clients see Actual vs. Plan vs. Previous Periods. You provide insight into why numbers moved — without building reports from scratch each month.
Firms using Modeliks see:
✅ New revenue streams by offering planning & reporting as premium packages
✅ Higher client retention thanks to consistent value beyond compliance
✅ No extra headcount required, since processes are automated
✅ Improved positioning as trusted advisors, not just bookkeepers
As one accountant put it:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Our clients can now make confident decisions. For us it’s a game-changer — we finally sell insight, not just compliance.”
\n
Client expectations are rising. Competitors are moving into advisory. Technology makes it easier than ever to scale.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re an accountant or firm owner, now is the time to position your practice for the next decade. Advisory services are not just an add-on — they’re the future of accounting.
\n\n\n\n📽️ Watch the full video playbook here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQEwnWOdKQ.
🌐 Explore how Modeliks can help you launch advisory services in under an hour -> HERE.
📩 Or reach out to us directly to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team
Running a professional services business is demanding. Whether you’re a founder, consultant, accountant, or finance leader, the challenges are similar:
\n\n\n\nThe truth? Many services firms outgrow spreadsheets faster than they realize. A project-based business requires a planning and reporting framework that adapts as you grow – not one that breaks every time a new client, project, or team member comes onboard.
\n\n\n\nThat’s where having a structured financial planning and reporting system becomes a game-changer.
\n\n\n\nThis strategic framework is designed for:
\n\n\n\nIf you run a project-based business, use timesheets, or manage multiple clients, this playbook is for you.
\n\n\n\nProfessional services firms often face profitability challenges because margins are tied to capacity, efficiency, and client mix. Here’s where the right planning approach makes a difference:
\n\n\n\nEach project has its own revenue, costs, and resources. Without project-level visibility, it’s impossible to know which work is actually profitable.
\n\n\n\nIt’s not enough to create a yearly budget. Monthly actuals vs. plan reporting helps you quickly see where projects are off track and adjust before problems snowball.
\n\n\n\nWhat happens if a big client leaves? Or if you add two more consultants next quarter? Scenario planning gives you the confidence to make tough decisions with numbers to back them up.
\n\n\n\nEmployee utilization is the heartbeat of a services firm. By linking financial forecasts to billable hours, staffing, and client demand, you can identify bottlenecks and prevent costly underutilization.
\n\n\n\nAt Modeliks, we’ve built a platform that turns these best practices into a structured, repeatable process.
\n\n\n\nWith Modeliks, you can:
\n\n\n\nMost firms wait until they have 100+ employees to rethink planning. But the truth is, dimensional planning and reporting matters at 20 employees, as much as at 200.
\n\n\n\nThe earlier you set up a scalable framework, the faster you can:
\n\n\n\nGrowing a professional services business isn’t just about winning more clients — it’s about building a system that lets you manage projects, measure performance, and grow profitably.
\n\n\n\nThat’s what this playbook is about — and why we built Modeliks.
\n\n\n\n👉 If you want to see how Modeliks can help you manage and grow your services firm, watch the full video walkthrough here.
\n\n\n\n📩 Or reach out to us directly to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team
Today we released a massive new update of Modeliks. A multidimensional Modeliks 2.0. I am both happy and sad to see Modeliks grow up. I liked baby Modeliks. He was cute and a little clumsy. Now, we created a beast.
\n\n\n\nWe listened to your feedback and made Modeliks by far the best financial planning and reporting tool for SMEs. Alright, I might be a bit subjective, but here is what’s new:
\n\n\n\nAnd there is a lot more to come in the next few months. Stay tuned for new features, and in the mean-time, plan, manage and grow your business with Modeliks 2.0.
\n\n\n\nLet’s recap. Now you can:
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks 2.0! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team