Check out the latest Frederick-area Magazines!

As most of you may already know, the past few months have been busy, busy, busy here at Kalico headquarters! Two of our December projects can now be found on newstands, or feel free to read them online too! The Winter 2011 issue of Find It Frederick features stories about the area best hot cocoa, a horse rescue, maple syrup festival and much, much more.

Plus, the Winter issue of The Frederick County Guide (FCG) is also now available! A brand new client for us, FCG provides straightforward facts and interesting articles about real estate, banking, insurance, childcare, education, health care, senior living, and leisure activities in the Frederick area. It also includes detailed reference information about town offices, elected officials, and community services. Plus, don't miss the full calendar of events section on the back pages!

We love working on both these magazines and look forward to the Spring issues! Take a peak below to view the online versions of either magazine, or pick up your own copy at local Frederick locations!

FIND IT FREDERICK!

Open publication - Free publishing - More travel

FREDERICK COUNTY GUIDE!

Open publication - Free publishing - More travel

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Let us know what you think!

Setting SMART Goals!

I recently attended a local Women's Networking lunch with the topic "Planning Your Business Goals for 2011", presented by Diane DeMarco of Marketing @ Work. Diane had a lot of great pointers including doing a SWOT analysis, setting a budget, and creating an action plan and timetable. One of the key points I took from the meeting was how to set S.M.A.R.T. goals (because, really, is there any point in setting stupid goals…um, no.)

S.M.A.R.T Goals stand for:

Specific: Be as precise as possible. What do you want to achieve and within what time frame.
Measurable: How will you measure your success?
Achievable: Is this goal realistically attainable?
Relevant: How or Why is this goal important to the success of your company?
Timely: When do you hope to achieve each goal?

While you're working on your goals for the upcoming year, be sure to keep the S.M.A.R.T. goal formula in mind!

It's A New Dawn, It's a New Day…It's a New Year!

Happy Belated New Year to all! I hope everyone has had a great start to 2011! I've already been busy with some exciting new projects and great clients—I hope this is a preview of  the year to come!

Luckily, I was able to take a winter vacation during the last week of 2010. (Yay!) During my time off, I managed to update the Kalico website with some new content and new work! Per tradition,  I also created a set of 2011 business and professional resolutions for Kalico Design. I am curious if anyone else did the same—I'd love to hear some of them!

I've listed my goals below, and I'm hoping to use this blog as a way to update my goals throughout the year and to catalog any successes and/or obstacles I may approach along the way. (plus, putting them in writing makes them, well, realer, somehow!) Without further adieu, here are Kalico's resolutions for the new year:


Kalico Resolutions:

1. Get Smart Phone in order to be more accessible to clients while I'm out and about in meetings or on the road.
2. Reformat the Kalico eNewsletter with content that will be more usable for clients. In addition, I will write a schedule for the eNews, and stick to it!
3. Blog a minimum of 1 time per week, increasing blog traffic by 15%. Plus, better integrate my social media efforts like twitter and facebook with this blog, as well.
4. Develop a self promo to use throughout the year targeting businesses in the health & wellness, organic, holistic and women-oriented industries.
5. Participate in 1 tradeshow event as an exhibitor or speaker.
6. Attend weekly networking lunches, plus go to a minimum of 2-3 additional networking events per month.
7. Acquire 3-4 new clients in the health & wellness, organic, holistic or women-oriented industries.
8. Set aside a minimum of 4 hours per week to work on Kalico business and marketing, preferably on Mondays or Fridays.

Well, that's a great start! I'm sure as the year goes on, I'll set a few additional goals as well. Have you written your business resolutions for 2011? What is your biggest goal and your biggest challenge for the year ahead?