Power of Goal Setting

Business consulting strategies

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we empower you to find, be, and build your influence. It’s that time of year again where we all start to reflect on the last year and consider what we want our new year to look like. We always like to say that you don’t need a new year to set new goals, but I think we can all agree how good it feels to have something ~feel~ new energetically. There is a buzz in the air that inspires and motivates us to keep growing our individual influence and be better versions of ourselves. So, as a new opportunity is handed to us, we must decide what we are going to do with it. If you don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

Reflect on the Past Year

This is something I have been doing for at least 5 years now, and I go as far as to do a monthly reflection. However, if you only have time for a year-end reflection, that is okay, too! First, you will want to set the stage. Set aside time in your calendar to have a date with yourself and review the last year. Go to your favorite coffee shop or light some candles at home. Reflecting on the year helps solidify memories, review what went well and what didn’t, consider goals you gave up on or goals you want to continue, and come up with completely new goals that serve where you see yourself going in the future. If you need a little help, check out these year-end reflection questions to help you get started.

Once you have finished reviewing your year, give yourself a pat on the back! Carving out time for yourself is already a luxury, so thank yourself for doing a reflection. Then, congratulate yourself on another great year. Even if you didn’t do everything you wanted or accomplish every goal you set, you still had the opportunity to learn about yourself and experience life. No matter what, that is always an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

We are constantly preaching about S.M.A.R.T. goals here at the “I” in Team series. For this blog, however, we will add the importance of prioritizing your goals in the new year; you can’t have S.M.A.R.T. goals without being specific about which goal will take priority over the others. We all have a finite amount of time in the day, so it wouldn’t be realistic to set multiple hefty goals if you’re also working, going to school, taking care of a family, or all of the above. Goals need to fit into the obligations we have committed to already.

Once your S.M.A.R.T. goals are set and prioritized, consider if there are any tools you would like to use to make reaching your goals a bit easier. Perhaps you need a physical planner, or maybe you prefer digital. You might find some kind of app or other technology that helps you stick with, measure, and manage your goal. Maybe there is a team member or friend you would like to recruit to help keep you accountable.

Manage Your Mindset

Mindset matters, period. While our platform is all about influence and being mindful of how we affect others, we are not proponents of toxic positivity. You will have good days and bad days when attempting to reach your 2025 goals. However, it’s your mindset that keeps you moving forward. There is a difference between thinking you’re a failure and failing. The former is a poor mindset that can make it difficult to reach goals while the latter is a normal part of life. Keep a growth mindset and remain flexible—life happens.

Continuing visualizing your success even when faced with little hiccups or big mountainous problems. Learn to navigate setbacks without losing focus. Affirm to yourself regularly that you have what it takes to succeed. You might even consider listening to daily affirmations to boost your mood and reinforce your belief in your abilities. Remember the importance of learning continuously (which we discussed last month!).

Bottom Line

In sum, reflect on the past year by setting aside time for a personal review. Celebrate your successes, learn from setbacks, and evaluate goals you pursued, paused, or want to refine. Use S.M.A.R.T. goals: be specific, prioritize, and align them with your commitments. Leverage tools like planners, apps, or accountability partners to stay on track. Cultivate a resilient, growth mindset by acknowledging setbacks as opportunities. Visualize your future success, stay flexible, and affirm your abilities regularly. Remember, reflection and learning are accomplishments in themselves—thank yourself for 2024 journey and prepare to embrace the possibilities of 2025.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.