The new year is often seen as a time for new beginnings, a time for planning all you want to accomplish in the year ahead. That could mean growing your interior design team, taking on larger projects, or strengthening your brand.
Putting pen to paper and setting measurable goals will give these plans for the new year some purpose. You don't need an exhaustive list - just a few points to direct your focus. This forces you to really think about all you want to achieve and keeps you accountable throughout the year. It also allows you to check in as the year progresses to see how your firm is tracking. Your goals can be big or small. In fact, it's advisable to have a nice mix so you can check some smaller ones off as you keep working towards bigger ones.
Are you seeking some goal inspiration for this year? Let us help get you started with 7 Goals Your Interior Design Business Should Have for the New Year.
1. STRENGTHEN YOUR ONLINE BRAND
So much of the design industry is built on reputation, which means it's necessary to make sure your online brand is as strong as possible. This year, make it a goal to strengthen your online presence so that when potential new clients or industry colleagues seek more information about your firm, their first impression from your digital snapshot is crystal clear.
Ensure your website is up to date. For example, is the photography recent, and does it accurately represent your design aesthetic, projects, and brand? Is the information correct and keyword-rich? Is your website optimized for mobile, easy to navigate, and quick to load? All these things make a big difference in strengthening your SEO. Google will love you for it!
Also, consider your social media profiles and how you use these channels. Are you posting regularly, what content connects with people the most, and how could you increase engagement? Take a moment to review your analytics to see what is working and what is not. Nailing your social media will undoubtedly help you improve your digital presence and online brand.
2. GIVE BACK
With the feelings of isolation we've faced over the past couple of years due to COVID, finding ways to stay connected is crucial to our mental and social health. Whether you're a design team of one or many, finding ways to give back or get involved in your community (however possible) has positive and long-lasting effects on your overall health and wellbeing.
Giving back can become an integral part of your design firm's brand as it provides you and your colleagues a sense of purpose and reminds you to focus on what matters most. Furthermore, from a business point of view, it can help to foster strong working relationships among your team as you all work together towards a common goal that isn't just "work."
From donating time and resources to sponsoring local events, fundraising, or volunteering for charities with values that align with the business, there are numerous ways that your design firm can achieve this new year goal.
3. GET ORGANIZED
If you want to increase productivity in your business this year, make it a goal to get organized. Organization is the key to success and starting the new year on the right track. You will feel more confident, in charge, and less stressed because you know what you have to do.
Knowing yourself and what style works best for you is crucial in staying organized. For example, some of us are all about digital calendars or apps to save important dates and take notes, while others prefer to jot things down in a physical calendar kept front and center on their desk. Either way, making sure you schedule essential deadlines, create weekly or daily to-do lists, and keep your workspace clean will help you stay organized even when things get a little hectic.
4. ATTEND EVENTS
What inspires your interior design firm? Do designers get inspiration from observing the outside world, leafing through design magazines, scrolling through Pinterest, or reading the blogs of favorite designers?
Finding inspiration is necessary regardless of where it comes from, and attending interior design events can be just the ticket. Design events, both physical and virtual, will help you and your design firm stay relevant in a competitive and fast-paced industry. They also help increase your design firm's visibility and brand awareness.
Be on the lookout for showhouse events, conferences, markets, design weeks, and more. And with the current global pandemic, don't be discouraged or think that virtual events aren't worth the effort – because this isn't the case! Though it's hard to beat meeting people face to face and discovering new products and trends in a physical sense, online events can deliver more effective networking, increased learning opportunities, and are undoubtedly easier and more cost-effective to attend.
5. STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS
Since so much work can come from referrals and word of mouth, fostering good relationships with your clients and vendors is essential for those working in the interior design industry. Setting a goal this new year to strengthen relationships with everyone you work with will build a strong foundation for your design firm in the coming years.
Consider value-adds that you could offer your clients and vendors that demonstrate your appreciation. This could look like sending out holiday gifts, cards, birthday messages, or occasionally offering small complimentary services. And don't forget about your staff too! Making sure they feel valued and respected as critical parts of your team does wonders for retention and longevity of service.
6. THINK STRATEGICALLY ABOUT BUSINESS
If growth is on the cards for your design firm this year, it's easy to think you should accept every single project that comes your way. Instead, make 2022 the year you practice becoming more selective with the projects you take on, as accepting the wrong projects takes a toll on you and your team.
To set your firm up for success, ensure you're effectively qualifying new leads first to establish they're the right fit for your interior design business. Have you discussed the important information such as your services, pricing, project scope, and working expectations? Ensuring all this information has been conveyed to the client will help improve your client base by only taking on those that fit your working style. Don't be afraid to say no to work that doesn't steer your firm toward your goals—for example, accepting more full-home projects rather than room-by-room projects.
7. UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCIALS
And finally, if you want to think more strategically about your business this year to facilitate growth, you need to understand the financials. However, the problem is that many firms find themselves using one program to manage projects and another to manage accounting. This separation makes it harder to get a clear picture of your firm's whole operation and how it's performing.
An all-in-one project management and accounting program like DesignDocs provides a deeper understanding of where your design firm's money is going so you can run it more efficiently.
DesignDocs breaks down your books, helping you find ways to increase your firm's margin and profitability. It allows you to keep track of budgets, schedules, supplies, expenses and generate accurate business and project-level reports. Both of these are necessary to maintain your profits throughout a project's life and your firm's fiscal year.
