Welcome to 2012!

As we leave behind 2011, with new resolutions and a whole new year in front of us, it is time to do some housekeeping. As professional communicators, we know what we need to do and we understand the need to do things efficiently and timely.

Now is the time to put some serious thought into what you intend to do in the new year and how best to go about it. Setting goals, evaluating audiences and budgets are important, but the best way to ensure success is in the time you put into planning.

Formulating a plan will help ensure that you are using your time and talent in the most efficient manner.  When planning, be sure to:

• Establish goals: What is the desired outcome of your efforts, what do you hope to achieve.
• Identify tools: What are the vehicles available for you to utilize? Are they adequate and appropriate for the message and the audience? Do you have the right talent to successfully utilize your toolset?
• Develop timeline: Don’t just look at the delivery deadline. Make sure to build a work/production schedule that accounts for the time and talent of all stakeholders in the process.
• Define measurement for success: Readership, event attendance, good website traffic, selling product?  This is a step that many overlook as they are working so fast and furious and move onto the next project without evaluating the success of the plan, the processes and outcomes. What is the ultimate goal for this project to be successful?

Lastly, I leave you with some major dates that you need to plan for. The CCC IMPACT Award entry deadline is February 10 (or January 27 for Early Bird entry) and the awards dinner is April 28, 2012. Please submit your entries and showcase the best and brightest accomplishments you had in 2011.

My best to all of you and yours for a successful 2012.

Chris Campbell,

President of the Board

Capital City Communicators