The 2010 Olympics are in Vancouver right now. The city is full of international visitors and bustling. It’s quite awesome when I stop and think about it.

What’s also been happening is that I’ve been refining things; clarifying where I’m going with JCP. Usually over the Christmas holidays is when I do this, and 2009 was no exception, but something was nagging at me that I just couldn’t put my finger on. So, I powered through a busy January but now it’s time to revisit this.

This is what I’ve come down to:

• • Post on this blog twice per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays; don’t stress if I have to miss one here and there. And stop writing in my uber-professional voice all the time! Blech.
• • Get out from behind my computer. Get back in front of my sketchbook.
• • Dig into 2 new exciting markets with my food photography. Pun intended.
• • Launch an information providing online food related venture. More info on that soon.
• • And the personal, lifestyle changes - well there’s a few there too, but they’re, well, personal.

Cheerio for now,

~ j

Approaching the holidays, and our general industry slowness that comes with December and January, I find that it’s a good time to re-focus, re-prioritize and simplify. Things can get busy in the Spring and Summer and can easily venture into the realm of hairy, and it seems hard to do anything beyond what’s right in front of me. To be honest, I relish simplifying things - for lack of a better term, it’s what floats my boat.

I’ve adapted to the fact that this time of year is the slowest for business and now when it approaches I look at it as the perfect time to strategize for the upcoming year. Here’s what I’ll be working on this December & January:

Celebrate my suppliers, contractors, mentors and clients
My business has got to this point because of the generosity of those around me. Though thanking them during the holidays seems to be the norm, personally I find everyone is so busy with hundreds of other holiday parties, cards & gifts, so I opt for sending out something freshly baked the first week back in January.

Reconnecting!
Nothing beats face-to-face connection with people. Getting in touch with some key decision makers for a quick 5 minute portfolio review or even just a coffee to reconnect and keep top-of-mind before the holidays hit is a good thing.

Organizing
I’m a bit of an organizing fanatic on a day-to-day basis, so for me this will be dedicated to my 2010 sales & marketing plan. Looking back on what worked in my 2009 sales & marketing (and what didn’t!), establishing new goals for the new year, and creating the 2010 plan that will help keep me on track to getting those important things done. I’m also going to take Jim Collins‘ advice and do this, as well as Chris Gillbeau’s advice and do this. Call me nerdy, but this kind of stuff excites me.

Brainstorming
This time is perfect for those projects that have been living on the back burner, or ideas that haven’t been given their deserved brainstorming time yet, or new markets I want to expand into. I’ll do this before I organize my 2010 sales & marketing plan so I can include these goals in the plan.

Bring on some extra hands
Starting in January I’ll be bringing Robyn on board to help with JCP’s marketing and business development…my 2010 sales & marketing plan will be what she helps me with. Robyn’s introduction will be posted in the New Year!

And last but not least…taking some time off
Part of December & January will definitely be dedicated to some R&R on Vancouver Island; family, good food, and sleeping in