Finally got some rhubarb last week and production of Gingered Rhubarb Jam has begun. It is oh-so-satisfying to pop those Good Food Award stickers on the labels! Now we will be busy busy in the kitchen until about November. I’m ready.
I had visions of how amazingly productive I’d be in the winter months. I’d say I get a C. Okay, maybe B-. After all, it turned out that a lot of the time was spent selling jam, which is pretty cool. But I did, in fact, set some meaningful objectives for 2011. I want to set them out here on my starting-a-business blog so I can check back in on them through the year. You can follow along at home.
I organized my objectives into four categories: Planning, Production, Sales, and Marketing. Here they are, in no particular order.
- Planning: Create an annual forecast with targets and review quarterly.
- Planning: Revise business plan and get feedback from the folks at SCORE.
- Production: Increase per-week output and efficiency.
- Production: Create meaningful relationships with farmers.
- Sales: Sell in one or two farmers’ markets per week, plus more during holidays.
- Sales: Keep my current retailers happy, expand to 10 more outlets in 2011, including out-of-state, and get set up on Etsy and Foodzie.
- Marketing: Enter five contests in 2011.
- Marketing: Create a social media strategy and stick with it. (Hey, that includes regular updates to this blog, which is happening!)
Looking at this list, which I formulated in January, I’d say that I’m moving along pretty well except for #2 and #7, on which I’ve made zero progress. Good to note. Now I have a few more reminders for my to-do list this month.
I need to give a shout-out to my favorite time management/life organization plan and book, Take Back Your Life!
I’m glad I posted this–it will be good to remember my focus as the crazy kitchen months ensue. Keep me honest, sweet blog readers.
