With September, comes the end of the summer.  For many publishers it's also the end of the summer doldrums.  It's time for back to school, back to work and back into the routine.  Your target audience is now more open to your message, and you need to be prepared to make the right impression. 

Review your sales/movement and market penetration goals for the remaining months of the year.  Are these challenging but attainable goals?  Will their achievement help move the enterprise in the right direction? 

Review the strategy for attaining these goals, and make sure you have the tools to achieve them.  You should have already budgeted for the equipment you need but don't have.  Buy what you need now.  Now is a good time to hire any additional staff.  There are still some quality recent grads that do not have jobs, and there are some stay at home parents who now have time to take on part time work while their children are in school.

Preparation and following through on a well thought out plan are the keys to moving your publication in the right direction.

Ray Boddie, Jr.