Technically Media 2011 review of goals 1.4.12 0
by Christopher Wink in Experiments

We call it our big board.

Every business creates goals, in sales, revenue, mission and output. We do, too, but in addition to those internal goals, we like to create a broader vision that we write up by monthly steps on index cards and stick them on a big foam board in our office to keep it in our faces. It keeps us honest.

So, why not look back at how 2011 went? And, heck, why not share that with the world?

First, and perhaps most importantly, in 2011, we had two major tracks of our business: Technically Philly and our consulting. So, our big board was broken up in that very way, with a third green column for the major Transparencity grant project we led.

In the interest of transparency and of holding ourselves accountable, here’s our review of how we did on our goals in 2011:

TECHNICALLY PHILLY

1. January (PTW sponsorship launch) We created sponsorship one pager and event structure.
2. February (Sponsorship push) We hit our sponsorship goals.
3. March (Big details) We launched a print supplement, confirmed event space and more.
4. April (Philly Tech Week) 65 events, more than 4,000 attendees.
5. May (TP direction) We agreed that consulting was a backend to our focus on growing technology news.
6. June (Membership plans) We decided to look into taking a membership platform seriously.
7. July (Redesign plans) We decided a redesign process would bring into the membership.
8. August (Advertising strategy) We’ve focused on PTW sponsorship, but a longer-term underwriting plan.
9. September (Growth plans) We want to roll out another technology news market, not in Philly.
10. October (Journalism efforts) To follow on our first-half grant work, we launched other projects, like this.
11. November (Launch directory) We launched an early version.
12. December (Gross receipts) We exceeded our goals.

TECHNICALLY MEDIA

1. January — Release (TM.com and seminars) We launched launched a consulting website.
2. February — New Editorial Direction (TP plan, another editorial in Philly?) We pushed the core decision back.
3. March — Foundation work (Journalism consulting or tech grant)
4. April — Outreach (speaking, new client meetings)
5. May — Small client
6. June — Medium client
7. July — Speaking Deks (3-5 pitches)
8. August — Infrastructure (templates, processes) The structure of our consulting practice was formalized
9. September — Roles — We pushed back on dictating roles to the organization
10. October — Expansion (other market pitches)
11. November — Large client
12. December — Gross receipts