More than 99% of all companies in the EU are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have a significant impact on the economic situation of a country. While large companies allocate considerable resources to strategic future planning, small and medium-sized enterprises seem to have little need for long-term planning. They tend to work with the opportunities that arise and take what the market offers at the moment. This also means that they often have to endure periods of hardship. This work addresses the topic of long-term corporate planning from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It examines the strengths and weaknesses of a consciously goal-oriented organization and presents a possible goal orientation model for small and medium-sized enterprises. The results show that long-term strategic planning is crucial for the profitable future of a company.