As I enjoy the overdue arrival of the Fall season and the more reasonable temperatures, I’m reminded that its time to start thinking about 2008. There are a number of things I’d like to accomplish in terms of growing my business, improving my skill set, and better understanding the future of marketing. That means taking stock of this past years’ successes and failures and setting new goals.

Along with the big-picture long term goals, I’ve recently started setting smaller, weekly goals. The quarterly and annual goals can seem overwhelming at times and breaking them down into manageable pieces helps me know that I’m on track.

Marketing is changing at a breakneck pace, and predicting the future becomes more difficult as new communication formats such as Facebook take hold, and new technologies such as cell phone advertising emerge. The board of the Triangle AMA is working to bring you programs in 2008 that will enlighten and stimulate your thought processes. There is a heavy focus on new trends and evolving ideas. We will feature speakers from Lenovo (January) and Google (March). We are putting together a workshop on social marketing; blogging will be the featured topic of our May luncheon. The successful Working Social will also return in ’08, along with regular socials.

As you set your goals and objectives for 2008, I hope that the American Marketing Association is a part of your plan. The chapter continues to grow and membership is now approaching 350 of your peers. I look forward to see you at an upcoming Triangle AMA event.