Please answer the questions below to the best of your ability. This will allow us to jump right into your session to better assist you. These questions will require that you have knowledge of your finances for the past year via your accountant, bookkeeper, or Quickbooks, etc. Please answer these as honestly and accurately as possible. ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL.
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Welcome to the questionnaire portion of your business planning session. It is best if you have all of your financial data available to you before completing this. Please be as accurate as possible so that we can partner together to create a successful plan for your business.
Question 2 of 54
Do you agree with the Terms & Conditions of our Program as stated here: https://designsuccessacademy.com/terms-and-conditions
No
Yes
Revenue Related Questions
Question 4 of 54
REVENUE: What was your revenue (total amount received before any expenses) in 2024?
Question 5 of 54
REVENUE: Which project types or services generated the most revenue? This could include sales of products.
Question 6 of 54
REVENUE: Were there any unexpected revenue sources? (i.e. color consults, real estate related design, etc.) If so, please list below:
Expense Related Questions
Question 8 of 54
EXPENSES: What were your total business expenses for the year?
Question 9 of 54
EXPENSES: Are there any recurring expenses that seem excessive or unnecessary? If so, please list:
Question 10 of 54
EXPENSES: Have you renegotiated rates with vendors/trades or streamlined processes this year?
Profit Margin Related Questions
Question 12 of 54
PROFIT MARGIN: What was your average profit margin this year? HEAD HERE FOR FORMULA: https://designsuccessacademy.com/end-of-year-planning
Question 13 of 54
PROFIT MARGIN: It will be more accurate if you can create a Profit Margin for EACH PROJECT. If you have done this, were there any projects with significantly higher or lower profit margins?
Cash Flow Related Questions
Question 15 of 54
How consistent was your cash flow throughout the year?
Very consistent each month
Not very consistent each month
Inconsistent each month
Question 16 of 54
CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: Have you experienced any periods of cash shortages? If so, WHEN. Also, WHY do you feel you experienced this?
Do you have a reserve fund? If so, what type (savings, line of credit, etc.) & how many months of operating expenses does it cover?
Question 18 of 54
CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: What percentage of clients paid on time this year?
100% of Clients Paid On Time
75% of Clients Paid On Time
50% of Clients Paid On Time
< 50% of Clients Paid On Time
Question 19 of 54
CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: Do you have a reserve fund? If so, what type (savings, line of credit, etc.) & how many months of operating expenses does it cover?
Project Profitability Related Questions
Question 21 of 54
PROJECT PROFITABILITY: If you have this info, which projects had the highest and lowest profit margins? List them below with profit margin:
Question 22 of 54
PROJECT PROFITABILITY: If you do not have the profit margins BY PROJECT, which project do you FEEL was most profitable? This will allow us to dive into goal setting for 2025.
Question 23 of 54
PROJECT PROFITABILITY: Are there areas where you feel you could reduce project costs without affecting quality (faster work time, fewer team members per project, fewer site visits, etc.) ? Please list below:
Question 24 of 54
PROJECT PROFITABILITY: Were most projects completed on time?
Question 25 of 54
PROFIT PROFITABILITY: What challenges did you face with project timelines? Be as specific as possible.
Pricing Related Questions
Question 27 of 54
PRICING STRATEGIES: Do you feel confident that your current pricing accurately reflects the value of your work?
Question 28 of 54
PRICING STRATEGIES: Have you adjusted your pricing for services or products this year? If so, why, how, and when did you adjust?
Operations Related Questions
Question 30 of 54
OPERATIONS - [TEAM]: Are there any performance or morale issues within the team? If so, please list specific issues: IF you do not have a team, please write N/A.
Question 31 of 54
OPERATIONS - [TEAM]: What were your team’s biggest successes this year? If you do not have a team, please write N/A.
Systems and Processes Related Questions
Question 33 of 54
OPERATIONS - [SYSTEMS/PROCESSES]: Which processes worked well, and which need improvement? Again, please be as specific as possible:
Question 34 of 54
OPERATIONS - [SYSTEMS/PROCESSES]: Have you implemented any new workflows or tools this year? This could include a new Full Service Design process, a clear consultation process, etc. If so, please list below:
Technology Related Questions
Question 36 of 54
OPERATIONS - [TECHNOLOGY]: Are you satisfied with your current technology setup?
I do not use a lot of technology
Yes I am satisfied
I feel I need more tech to help me run my business efficiently
I do not use technology, but want to include it & need assistance
Question 37 of 54
OPERATIONS - [TECHNOLOGY]: Are there any tools or software you wish to explore? If so, please list below the names/type of software you are interested in:
Marketing Related Questions
Question 39 of 54
MARKETING - [WEBSITE]: How well is your website performing in terms of traffic and conversions?
Very Well
Not So Great
I Have No Idea If My Website Performs Well
Question 40 of 54
MARKETING - [WEBSITE]: Have you made any updates to your website this year? If so, what have you done?
Question 41 of 54
MARKETING - [SOCIAL MEDIA]: Which social media platforms or other endeavors have been most effective for your business?
Instagram
Facebook
New Choice
LinkedIn
Tik Tok
Blog/Newsletter
Other
I don't use any type of social media for marketing (yet).
Question 42 of 54
MARKETING - [SOCIAL MEDIA]: What type of content gets the best engagement?
Project Posts
Project Videos
Personal Life Posts
Personal Life Videos
Lifestyle Posts (dinner parties, travel)
Lifestyle Videos (dinner parties, travel)
Behind The Scenes
How To
Other: please list in next section
Question 43 of 54
MARKETING - [SOCIAL MEDIA]: What type of content gets the best engagement? If you answered "Other" in previous question, please list the specific content that you feel works best if not included in list.
Question 44 of 54
MARKETING - [SOCIAL MEDIA]: Continuing on the TYPE of content that worked best, why do you feel this worked best?
Question 45 of 54
MARKETING - [SOCIAL MEDIA]: What types of content do you feel you need assistance in developing?
Question 46 of 54
MARKETING: Did you initiate any planned marketing campaigns this past year? This could include giveaways, a planned focus on one project from start to finish, showing up on "Lives," etc. Does not necessarily mean an agency planned for you.
Question 47 of 54
MARKETING: If so, which campaign(s) worked best for you? Be as specific as to the type of campaign and why you feel it worked:
Question 48 of 54
MARKETING: Are there any campaigns or planned content that didn’t meet your expectations? If so, please list below the type of campaign and why you feel it did not meet your expectations:
Questions related to New Year Business Goals
Question 50 of 54
GOALS NEXT YEAR [REVENUE]: What revenue target would you like to set for next year?
Question 51 of 54
GOALS NEXT YEAR [NEW CLIENTS]: What CURRENT strategies have been most successful in acquiring new clients? Please be as thorough as possible (referrals from realtors, referrals from past clients, Instagram ads, etc.):
Question 52 of 54
GOALS NEXT YEAR [NEW CLIENTS]: Are there specific client demographics you’d like to target next year? I.e. More C-Level executives, busy professional couples, large families, aging in place, etc.? If so please list:
Question 53 of 54
GOALS NEXT YEAR: [TEAM]: Are there any training or development opportunities you’d like to pursue for yourself or your team? if so, please list:
Question 54 of 54
GOALS NEXT YEAR: [TEAM]: What steps will you take to improve team performance next year?