Dog Training Business Assessment

Part One: Mindset
1. Goals
How would you define your business goals?

Vague and non-defined short-term and long-term business goals with no solid idea on how to achieve them and no strong reason WHY that specific goal is desiredSet specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. It is clear what it will look like when the goal is met and a timeframe is allocated.Goals are regularly reviewed and adjusted. Clear financial goals and targets with clear action steps broken down into smaller tasksSetting more ambitious goals and creating strategic plans to achieve sustained growth and success

2. Confidence
Which best describes your level of self confidence?

Regularly experiencing imposter syndrome. Undercharging and overdelivering. Afraid to speak up with clients so they often take over the direction of the session.Your confidence is growing as you gain experience working with clients and the professionalism of their business improvesHigh levels of confidence in working with clients and delivering a great customer experience with great resultsFully confident in what you're doing. Able to lead clients and deliver exceptional outcomes

3. Productivity & delegation
Which best describes your time management?

No time management strategy in place. Doing everything yourself. Overwhelmed and burnt out. Never enough time in the day. Barely able to keep up with tasks.Implemented effective time management techniques and prioritizing high-value tasks first. Some tasks begin to be outsourced to othersDelegating non-core tasks to trusted team members or professionalsStreamline workflows, automate processes, and delegate tasks to a competent team for optimal productivity

4. Self care
Which of the following best describes your self care?

Burnout. Energy low, health not a priority. Unhealthy habits and self-sabotage are common. No scheduled down time or treats. Not honouring set time off for self. No hobbies outside of work.Understand that energy levels are strongly tied to the success of the business. Some daily healthy habits in place but not always consistentRoutines in place to start and end the day. A number of healthy daily habits consistently followed. Time off and hobbies are scheduled in regularly and honoured.High energy and excitement to start each day. Well-established morning and evening routines. Prioritization of self-care. Great work-life balance.

Part Two: Admin
1. Systems & procedures
Which of the following best describes your administrative systems and procedures?

No strategic systems or procedures are in place. You find yourself starting from scratch each time you handle a task or process.Implementing basic systems and procedures to streamline your operations. Some processes are documented, but there is still room for improvement.Developing an efficient workflow for handling client inquiries and bookings. Systems and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed for maximum efficiency.Continuously refining and optimizing systems and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity. Regular updates and improvements are made to streamline your operations and enhance overall effectiveness.

2. Tracking & metrics
Which of the following best describes how you track metrics in your business?

No metrics tracked. You don't feel that you really have a clear understanding of your numbersBasic metrics tracked around revenue and expenses. Little to no tracking of leads, social media, sales conversionsDetailed metrics tracked for accounting, leads and sales with dashboards reviewed regularly and business strategy adjusted as neededComprehensive metrics tracking across various aspects of the business. Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement

3. Documents
Which of the following best describes the documents you use to run your business?

Little to no client agreements, liability waivers, and consent forms in place. Writing followup emails and training reports from scratch after clients.Clearly established and concise training agreements and intake forms in place.A comprehensive set of operational documents have been developedRegularly review and update legal documents, contracts, and other operational materials to ensure compliance and efficiency

4. Booking Process
Which of the following best describes the booking process you have in place for your clients?

No automatic booking software in place. Clients don't receive reminders and often forget appointments. No procedure for when appointment times are available & no time allocated for non client workA user-friendly booking system or calendar to schedule client appointments is in place and automatic reminders are sent, reducing no showsThe booking process has been streamlined and online booking and payment options have been implemented for a seamless client experienceThe booking process to has been optimized and is continually improved and automated for maximum time and income efficiency. Emails and forms sent automatically have all been refined for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Part Three: Marketing
1. Leads
Which of the following best describes your lead gathering strategy?

No intentional lead generation strategies in place. Unclear where leads are coming from or how to generate more.Implementing basic organic strategies for attracting new leads. Exploring different lead generation techniques, although they are not yet fully optimized.Utilizing a mix of organic and paid lead generation strategies. Generating a steady flow of leads that result in new paying clients each month.Employing sophisticated lead generation strategies across multiple channels. Consistently generating a high volume of qualified leads that convert into loyal, paying clients

2. Content
How would you define your content marketing approach?

Occasionally posts cute dog photos. No helpful value to content. Content has no clear goal or call to actionDeveloping a content strategy and sharing some basic content. Using a limited number of social media platforms consistentlyRegularly publishing high-quality content that resonates with the target audienceContent strategy spans multiple platforms and mediums. Content is highly valuable and well-received by the target audience. Outsourcing and AI used to streamline content.

3. Sales
Which of the following best describes your sales strategy?

No clear sales strategy. Every sales conversation is different or sometimes missing altogether. Sales fluctuate or are non existent.Starting to experiment with sales processes and scripts. Conversion rates improving but still inconsistent and unpredictableDefined sales process with proven scripts. Conversion rates improving and becoming more predictableHigh conversion rates with a refined sales process. Confidence in sales abilities and ability to consistently close deals

4. Branding
Which of the following best describes your branding?

No set font or brand colours. Logo home made or non existent. No website. Reliant on a social media page as only online presence. No brand mission, identity or voice.Basic visual branding in place. Can talk clearly about exactly what you do as a trainer and who you help. Market is defined and basic ideal client avatar in place. Basic website established but no SEO.Branding is now consistent across platforms and has a signature style to the work. Clear website with effective SEO bringing it to page one of Google resultsStrong brand presence in the market. Sophisticated understanding of the market and clearly defined and deeply understood ideal client avatars. Website SEO regularly reviewed and updated to maintain ranking.

Part Four: Retention & Delivery
1. Pricing
Which of the following best describes your pricing model?

Feeling lost on what to charge. Undercharging. Many hours work required to make a basic salary. Unsustainable income model predisposing trainer to burnout.Developing a pricing strategy that aligns with the value provided and the target audiencePrices reflect the value provided and are reviewed and adjusted periodicallyPremium pricing that reflects the value delivered. Pricing strategy actively managed to ensure competitiveness and profitability

2. Business model
Which of the following best describes your business model?

Will accept any work from any client. Only offer is hourly sessions of 1:1 time. Selling single sessions randomly with no structure. No clear differentiation from competitorsDeveloping a unique value proposition and refining the business modelBusiness model refined to provide a competitive edge and deliver unique valueBusiness model optimized for scalability, profitability, and long-term sustainability

3. Program design
How would you describe your training programs?

Either no set programs, or programs are ad-hoc and lack structure. No clear progression for clientsDeveloping structured programs with clear goals and outcomes for clientsPrograms are well-structured and deliver consistent resultsContinuously refining and enhancing program design to ensure exceptional client outcomes and satisfaction

4. Client experience
Which of the following best describes the client experience?

Inconsistent client experience. Client followup only happens when remembered, if at all. No procedure to request referrals or testimonials. All communication is done manually if able to be fit into the dayImproving client onboarding and communication processes. Focusing on delivering a positive experience from start to finish and procedure followed to request testimonialsProviding exceptional client support and experience throughout their journey with regular check-ins & followupsContinuously exceeding client expectations and providing an outstanding experience at every touchpoint
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Part One: Mindset

1. Goals

2. Confidence

3. Productivity & delegation

4. Self care

Part Two: Admin

1. Systems & procedures

2. Tracking & metrics

3. Documents

4. Booking Process

Part Three: Marketing

1. Leads

2. Content

3. Sales

4. Branding

Part Four: Retention & Delivery

1. Pricing

2. Business model

3. Program design

4. Client experience