Preparing Your Company for 2011
As the end of the year approaches, we need to look forward to what 2011 will have in store for our organizations. In order to strive for the growth we hope to achieve in our businesses it is crucial that we prepare goals and objectives for the coming year.
I encourage each of you to take a moment and prepare quarterly goals and objectives for your business to reach in 2011. Of course, this will be a continuous work in progress, but it will assist you in staying on track in order to achieve the end result you hope to obtain for your business.
These goals may include revenue goals and the marketing required to achieve them. Perhaps you would like to grow your business by 5% and in order to do so you know you must advertise more. Or maybe your business wishes to relocate in order to provide better visibility. Whatever it is that 2011 looks like for your business it is important that you prepare and plan.
Ask yourself, “What do I want my business to look like in 1 year?” Then ask, “How do I get there?” It’s up to you to create the map. Creating, navigating, and continuously revising that map is a powerful learning experience. Without the necessary preparation and planning, your goals may not be achieved or may be much slower in coming to fruition.
Here are some websites that may assist you in preparing your marketing plan.
www.marketing-plan-success.com
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.”
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Holidays!
I wanted to share our holiday e-card for those of you who may have missed it!
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It’s Here…Are You Ready?
No doubt, many of you risked it all by going out on Black Friday on a mad hunt for the best possible deals. If you were one of those individuals, I salute you for your bravery. However, in the midst of the crowds of people, the flashy sales signs, the unwavering sense of exhaustion, were you able to cross everything off your list?
My guess, unless you are a “super-shopper,” is no. Luckily, I’ve decided to do my part to assist those of you who may have some people still on your list.
A popular item this holiday season for the children is the Cloud B Twilight Constellation Night Light. The soft, plush turtle projects a complete starry night sky on the ceiling of the child’s bedroom or a nursery. It sells for $22 on Amazon.com and is highly rated.
FOR THE TEENS
Can’t quite find the “cool” gift for your teens? If you really want to make their jaws drop this holiday season, a nice option might be the Xbox 360 Console with Kinect. Kinect is the new motion-sensing device that allows individuals to play games completely without the use of controllers. It tracks and traces the movement of your body, allowing your teen to become active while playing. With prices starting at around $350, it is an expensive selection, but it might just be the perfect gift for your teen.
FOR THE MEN
Another tie? A coffee mug? A power tool? How about an iPad?! Now we’re talking. The Apple iPad is “A magically and revolutionary product at an unbelievable price.” It is designed to fit the needs of businesspeople, music-lovers, movie-gurus, gamers, designers, writers, readers, and many more personality types. It is another potentially expensive option, but definitely worth the price.
Another great product this season is the Apple TV. At a much more convenient price ($97 on Amazon.com) Apple TV is a revolutionary product. It allows the user to stream HD movies and TV shows rented from iTunes, plus content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, and MobileMe directly through a TV. At only 2 pounds and 3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches, the small but powerful gadget is a great gift option for the men.
FOR THE WOMEN
Jewelry? Clothing? Chocolate? Too obvious, right? Consider an Amazon Kindle. This reading device is competitively priced and highly rated for the new ink technology. With prices starting at $139 on Amazon.com, the Kindle is a popular gift option, especially for the avid reader.
Does even the thought of reading instantly make
the individuals on your list tired? Then how about getting them a Keurig Single-Cup Coffee Maker? That should keep them awake! With various prices and model options, the single-cup coffee makers are yet another popular gift idea this season.
FOR THE TECH-GEEK
We all know one. But, what in the world do you get them? It seems like
they already have it all. But, because the tech-geeks spend a great deal of their time on computers and other technology, an external hard drive is a perfect gift idea. It allows them to store large amounts of their music, movies, school papers, data, work items, or other “techy-stuff” to a secure and portable device. A 2TB (that’s a lot of storage, so I hear…) external hard drive is priced at about $110 and would satisfy even the “techy-est” geek on your list.
I hope you found these suggestions helpful or perhaps it gave you another great idea for those individuals still on your list. Just one last recommendation…avoid the lines, crowds, and weather by shopping online!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Jeopardy & Our Role
Most of us have sat at home in the evening and played jeopardy. You know, you are given the answer and have to provide the question.
So here is the answer: global economic distress, mid-term elections, U.S. debt and unemployment, and tough choices.
And the question: What are the critical trends and realities that beckon all of us to engage the dialogue to stay informed and involved in solutions and related conversations?
With new political leaders elected and appointed from throughout the USA and as far away as China, now is the time to confirm that your voice and opinion do make a difference and do need to be heard.
Whether at the personal, political, community or faith level, I ask you to not fall prey to apathy in face of the challenges ahead. As the saying goes, “every crisis creates opportunity.”
A few examples of engaging activities that do and will make a difference are debate, letters to the editor and political leaders, volunteerism, participating in a rally and focusing on personal and professional strengths.
Our team recently engaged in a Globalization presentation and conversation that I was able to facilitate. If your organization or firm has an hour or so to receive this presentation, let me know and I would be happy to schedule it as part of what the Wirt-Rivette Group can do to support “OUR ROLE.”
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