For most businesses having a calendar fiscal year, the dash for the finish line is on.  By this time it has either become painfully apparent that goals and forecasts have been woefully optimistic or, on the other hand, about to be surpassed.  In either case, the sprint to the final bottom line is proceeding at full tilt.

For the month of December, keeping your eyes on sales targets, company performance goals or expense line items, can be difficult to balance with the distractions of final budget tweaks for next year, the line of personal and office holiday parties and the sense that there is so much left to accomplish with so little time to do it in.

Here are a couple of thoughts as we all sprint toward the end of the year:

• While keeping the targets posted somewhere close by, remember that they are targets and goals. Do your best to achieve them, but understand that some will be met, others will not, but the overall effect of your business is more than numbers.

• Remember as we proceed through the month that work is work but life is life.  No matter how well business is going or how difficult things have been; there are people around you who are depending upon you to be…you.  Share a laugh, see the lights, go sledding, drink hot chocolate and include the marshmallows.

• Remember that in an economic climate rarely seen, you are still here.  You have survived.  You are still serving your customers and clients.  You have been blessed to be one of those still standing, whether by shrewd strategic planning, adept marketing or sheer luck, you’re still doing business.

Here’s to a great trip around turn number four, down the back stretch and into 2012!

Dirk Webb is a freelance writer, author, and former IT professional.  To see more of Dirk’s writings visit www.weekscomm.com or www.dirkwebbandfriends.com.

Nothing like creating a bit of demand for insane Black Friday craze!

Graham has created these specials, and look at the mob they’ve attracted!  Hurry and beat the crowd before these deals are all gone!

Vintage, limited edition Moby Dick Whale Harpoon  regular price:  199.99    Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  99.99

Pet Sumatran Rhinoceros   regular price:  3,499.99    Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  2,399.99 plus 3 additional horns

Wind Up Key to a Mini-Cooper  regular price: 5.49    Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  .99  stocking stuffer value

Collectible, one-of-a-kind, Steve Urkel time machine   regular price:  1,850.00    Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  699.00 one way

Tic-Tac of the Month Club regular price: 3.79 a month   Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  .99  a month  a MUST gift for the one who needs it and you know who you are!

Vienna sausage Cookbook  regular price:  6.00   Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  2.99  includes free software upgrade

Wash Your Grizzly Bear Kit regular price: 14.99    Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  5.99  includes a special offer from Band aid brand bandages.

New York Times bestseller, “Underwater Basket Weaving” by Eyeyam Drowning.  regular price: 11.99    Your Graham’s Door Buster Price:  6.99   spent ten minutes at #1

Graham on being Thankful

Graham, our Weeks Communications spokesperson, recently jotted down a few paragraphs for us here in the office about what Thanksgiving means to him.  We wanted to pass them along to you.

Many of the stores have had their Christmas trees up for some time now, their “Black Friday” advertisements and strategies are already appearing and some here in our office (no names but you know who you are) are already playing Christmas music, but I have other feelings.  As soon as the calendar turns to November, my thoughts begin to focus on Thanksgiving.

The leaves have pretty much been raked up, the air is getting a little chillier each day, and signs of Thanksgiving are everywhere.  Turkeys and Hams are being bought, cans of Yams, cranberries and other traditional foods have been moved to more prominent positions in the grocery stores and the Detroit Lions are winning this year meaning Thanksgiving Day football will be very exciting this year.

But what am I thankful for?  When I think about it, I’m reminded of all the things that I truly value:  the people and the heritage that means so much to all of us.

I’m thankful to be born in America.  Not “rah rah rah, look at us, aren’t we the greatest?”  But more like, I’m so grateful to have been born in a land where the shelves are full, the opportunities are plenteous, and we are free to pursue any of them we choose.  Yet I also remember that many this Thanksgiving will do without food and warmth.

I’m thankful that I can turn the pages of a history book and see the stories that have made our nation what it is.  Like any family saga, some of our stories are breathtaking, some sad and sorrowful, but when all is said and done, the American Experience is a unique one.   Let us remember those who are serving us this Thanksgiving in uniform.  May they be safe and return to us by this time next year.

I’m thankful for all my friends here at Weeks.  Cameron, Bracken, Emily, Austin, Seth, Jon, Suzanne, Andrew and Luke and the pride in working that we share.  Each day that we are allowed to arrive at our office is a blessing that many the world over will never know.

I’m thankful for my family and friends who, whether near or far, are always in my thoughts.  The love and affection we share is the dearest reason for each breath.  Let us never forget however, those who may feel the grip of loneliness and let us find a way to reach out to them.

And so from us here at Weeks to you and your family, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We hope your time together is full of precious moments and, if your table is missing someone you love, our prayer is that you may be comforted in the memories of those you hold dear, both then and now.  And in the words of that old Thanksgiving hymn, “We Gather Together” let us remember to “sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own.”

Excerpts from a Web Site

Today, I wanted to have a little fun and share with Weeks Communications friends something I’ve been laughing about.  If you are a web site administrator, you know that behind those pages everyone gets to read are the comments left behind by the various “spammers.”  These spammers many times are from nations around the world and many of them use their Spam “BOTS” to search out websites.

I use Word Press to power my Children’s Book site and on the dashboard is a collection of the strangest, craziest, most grammatically fogged up “comments” I’ve ever seen.  Before sending them to the great bit bucket, I wanted to let you see them.

After reading mine, share some of your most “interesting” comments with me:

“I get pleasure from, result in I found just what I used to be looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye”

• God Bless you too, but four days?

“A person necessarily lend a hand to make critically articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual post incredible. Fantastic task!”

• Pretty surprised myself, and believe me, a person necessarily NOT lend a hand.

“I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i’m satisfied to express that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a lot indisputably will make certain to do not fail to remember this site and provides it a look regularly”.

• Which sort of house?  I’m very just right uncanny about the whole thing too.

“Terrific work! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared across the internet. Shame on Google for now not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thank you =)”

• Yes, shame on Google.

“Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am inspired! Very helpful information particularly the last phase  I maintain such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a very lengthy time. Thank you and good luck”.

• Sadly, this is in response to my announcement of the death of my mother.

“I do not even know the way I ended up right here, however I assumed this submit was good. I don’t recognise who you’re however definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you happen to aren’t already. Cheers”!

• I don’t know the way I ended up right here either, but I’m sure I’m going to be a famous blogger too even if you don’t recognize who I am.

“Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I achievement you get admission to persistently fast”.

• More people seem to be stumbling on my website and accession capital.  And please, I’m married, so any of you that want to subscribe to MY argument, I would be thrilled.

“Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept”

• Apprentices welcome, and perhaps I do need to amend my web site, but as far as a bright, clear concept?  Hmmm.

“I besides conceive hence , perfectly composed post”!

• I besides conceive hence too, that the post is not perfectly composed!

“I just couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I extremely loved the standard information an individual supply in your visitors? Is going to be back steadily in order to check out new posts”

• I try not to supply in my visitors, but ok!

“I used to be recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether or not this post is written by way of him as nobody else recognize such special approximately my trouble. You are incredible! Thanks”!

• Trust me, this post is not written by way of your cousin, even approximately in your trouble.  However, thanks for the compliment, I think.

“Thanks , I have recently been searching for information about this topic for a long time and yours is the best I’ve found out till now. However, what about the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the source”?

• Reasonably certain of the source. (The post this spammer is referring to is my biography.)

“Thank you for some other magnificent article. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such a perfect means of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the search for such info”.

• Some OTHER magnificent article?  (Again, about my biography.) I keep trying to convince my SEO friends that I have a perfect means of writing.

“Great site. Plenty of helpful info here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks to your sweat”!

• And I even showered this morning.  And as far as your buddies sharing in delicious???

“Thanks for some other fantastic post. The place else may anyone get that type of information in such a perfect method of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info”.

• You’re welcome for some other fantastic post.  As for your presentation…best of luck, you’re going to need it.

“Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this “.

• Hello back, ummm, my, umm loved one.

“Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was once a enjoyment account it. Look advanced to more brought agreeable from you! However, how could we keep up a correspondence”?

• Auspicious, yes!!!  I don’t see how we could possibly keep up a correspondence as I don’t think I can look advanced to more brought agreeable…wow!

“Thank you very much for this article! This information was very usefull for me=)”

• Again, my biography.

“Thank you for this information! I used it for my diploma thesis =)”

• Whoever your professors are, I’ll bet they can’t wait to read this one.

“I wanted to thank you yet again for this amazing web-site you have designed here. It’s full of ideas for those who are definitely interested in this subject, especially this very post. You’re really all absolutely sweet and thoughtful of others plus reading your blog posts is a superb delight if you ask me. And what a generous gift! Ben and I are going to have fun making use of your points in what we should instead do next week. Our list is a mile long and tips might be put to good use”.

• While I’m glad you think we’re all really sweet, I’m not so sure I want to know just how you and Ben are going to have fun making use of my points.  I don’t write tips for that!

Dirk Webb is a freelance writer, author, and former IT professional.  To see more of Dirk’s writings visit www.weekscomm.com or www.dirkwebbandfriends.com.

The final installment of Graham’s interview.  We hope you enjoyed it.

If I could star in a movie…who would I want to play opposite me?

Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale (the villains from Rocky and Bullwinkle.)  I’d be Bond, James Bond, and they’d be, well, Boris and Natasha, international spies.  The only stipulation in my contract would be that all the high-tech communications gizmos be produced by Weeks Communications and the guy demonstrating them would be “W,” not “Q.”

If I could play one musical instrument it would be:  The Glockenspiel.  First, it’s fun to say.  Go ahead, let it just roll off your tongue.  Tell all your friends, “I play the Glockenspiel.”  Whether you do or not, it sounds impressive.  Second, it’s fun to play.  From hip-hop to jazz, start your next party with a good Glockenspiel concert.

If I could ban one article of clothing from the office, what would it be?:  I think I would ban neck ties.  I mean, come on, stripes, paisleys, flowers, a light up Snoopy?  Give me a break.

To learn more about Graham and the rest of the “Weeks Geeks,” visit us at www.weekscomm.com.

Recently, we’ve had a lot of fun here at Weeks Communications introducing a character by the name of Graham.  Graham is the brain child of our talented Graphics Designer, Suzanne McGill.  While Suzanne created the signature “Graham motif,” with the bow tie, the nerd glasses and perpetual business suit, the rest of us have had a great time joining Suzanne in giving Graham a determined personality.

We’ve mentioned that he comes from the heart of Indiana, graduated from high school just down the road from you and attended “PU” getting a degree in “the business of business.”  We’ve also talked about his “Pirate phase” when he coined the term, “Fathom” as a means of measuring our vision and how our goals are joined with yours.

While we’ve enjoyed creating Graham and hope that you enjoy him too, we’ve tried to explain the business insights and strategies that we have here at Weeks.  By revealing Graham’s origins we hope you catch that we too are from the heart of Indiana, may have graduated just down the road from you and have a vision for not only business success but the revitalization of our home community.

We’ve created the “Weeks Geeks” moniker for ourselves as a way of acknowledging that while business can be stressful, tiring and challenging, we can never take ourselves so seriously that we can’t learn from each other, learn from our customers, and keep a sense of humor along the way.

Graham’s mom, Suzanne, has created a serious of videos depicting some of Graham’s business adventures including a visit with Bob of Bob’s Donuts.  We’ve punned that Graham understands that every donut business has a “hole” in it, when it fact, that has been our focus: to get to know your business well enough that we can aid you in designing a communications system that plugs the “hole” you may have in your everyday process.  We may have a sense of humor, but your business challenges we take very seriously.

Finally, as we put our little nerd glasses on, and write yet another blog about Graham, we want you to know there are several talented and tireless people on our staff who are busy working on the products, upgrades and next steps that will make your business hum along.  To them, we say thank you and thanks to all of you, our clients and friends for your confidence and trust.

Dirk Webb is a freelance writer, author, and former IT professional.  To see more of Dirk’s writings visit www.weekscomm.com or www.dirkwebbandfriends.com.

Here is another excerpt from Graham’s Biography:

If I could wear any uniform number it would be:  “#”  At the end of every phone option, the voice says, “press the # sign to select this option. .  I want to be the option.  I’ve always worn “#” and I always will.

If I could teach a dog one command, it would be…To bark in French.  “Le woof”  “Le bow wow”  “Le arrrrff”  How cool is that?

If I could choose the menu for every restaurant in the world, I would ban:  Macaroni and Cheese.  I believe that Macaroni and Cheese is a plot designed by ummm….plotters…to take over the world.  I’m glad I hate Mac and Cheese. Because if I liked Mac and Cheese, I’d eat Mac and Cheese,which would be bad because I hate Mac and Cheese.

My favorite animal at the zoo is:  Easy; the penguin.  All dressed up, including the (ahem) bow tie.  And of course the “Happy Feet.”

To learn more about Graham and the rest of the “Weeks Geeks,” visit us at www.weekscomm.com.

Have you watched the show?  Of course you have; the half hour shenanigans of Leonard, Howard, Raj and Penny. Oh, and Sheldon, we can’t forget Sheldon.  These geniuses, (minus Penny) and freak geeks have the combined I.Q. of a small town but sometimes lack the common sense God gave a toad.

Leonard: Come on! We have a combined IQ of 360 we should be able to figure out how to get into a stupid building.

[Two girls selling cookies ring every bell, the door opens]

Sheldon:  What do you think their combined IQ is?

Yet, there are many business precepts, both pro and con, in the way THEY do business.  Enjoy!

Be a Master of Decision Making

Sheldon: If you’re having trouble deciding where to sit, may I suggest “One Potato, Two Potato.” Or as I call it, the Leslie Winkle experimental methodology.

Be a Strategic Planner

Penny: Why don’t you go to a movie?
Sheldon: Alone?
Penny: Yeah.
Sheldon: What if I choke on my popcorn? Who will administer the Heimlich maneuver?

Network When You Can

Leonard: We need to widen our circle.
Sheldon: I have a very wide circle. I have 212 friends on MySpace.
Leonard:  Yes, and you’ve never met one of them.
Sheldon: That’s the beauty of it.

Hire Only Qualified Personnel

Leonard: [wants Sheldon to leave because he has a date] Nevertheless I have one now, and I’d appreciate it if you’d, you know, make yourself scarce.
Sheldon: Leonard, I am a published theoretical physicist with two doctorates and an IQ which can’t be accurately measured by normal tests. How much scarcer could I be?

Be Patient with Others

Sheldon: Leonard, Leonard, Leonard [whilst knocking]
Leonard: What, Sheldon? What, Sheldon? What, Sheldon?
Sheldon: Tell me what you see here? [Showing Leonard the laptop]
Leonard: The blunt instrument that will be the focus of my murder trial.

Be Alert for Technical Innovation

Sheldon: [after informing Stephanie he had successfully made his own cat scanner at the age of 12] In fact I was briefly able to see the inside of my sister’s guinea pig Snowball before he caught fire. In fact it led to an interesting expression in our house “Not a Snowball’s chance in a cat scanner!”

Avoid Office Romances

Sheldon: I think that you have as much of a chance of having a sexual relationship with Penny as the Hubble Telescope does of discovering that in the center of every black hole there’s a little man with a flashlight searching for a circuit breaker.

Applaud Achievement by Your Peers

Leonard: So I was just at the Dean’s office and I overheard them discuss the winner of the Chancellor’s Award for Physics this year.
Sheldon: And you’ve come to rub my nose in it. I’m the William Shatner of theoretical physics. All right, I’ll play along. What self-important preening fraud are they honoring this year?
Leonard: I’m so glad you ask it like that. You. 

Use a Little Humor from Time to Time

Sheldon: A proton walks into a bar and orders a drink. When he asks how much, the bartender says “for you, no charge.” 

Refrain from Office Gossip

Penny: Has Leonard ever dated any regular women?
Sheldon: I assume you are not referring to digestive regularity. It has been my experience that asking that is highly inappropriate.

Run a “Clean” Office

Sheldon: Coffee’s out of the question. When I moved to California, I promised my mother that I wouldn’t start doing drugs.

Keep an Eye on the Bottom Line

Sheldon:  [Talking about Penny's home business] Ten dollars a day times five days a week times 52 weeks a year is 2,600 dollars.
Penny: That’s all?
Sheldon: Before taxes.
Penny: Well, I don’t have to pay taxes on this stuff.
Sheldon: I believe the Internal Revenue Service would strongly disagree.

And Finally, Recognize Opportunity

Sheldon: [How Sheldon knocks on Penny's door, without a pause: knock-knock-knock] Penny!
[knock-knock-knock]
Sheldon: Penny!
[knock-knock-knock]
Sheldon: Penny!

Last Saturday, October 15^th, Graham was invited to take place in a golf outing at The Edgewood golf course in Indiana.  Regrettably, Graham was hard at work this weekend and could not find the time to pry himself away from the office to hit the links.  The golf outing was hosted by the Anderson University Basketball team and actually organized, quite well I might add, by one of Graham Weeks’ distant cousins JR Howell.  Not wanting to disappoint the team, and always willing to give back to the community, Graham asked another resident Geek Golfer, Seth Daniels to go in his place.

Seth was not the only part of Weeks Communications that was represented that day though.  The Weeks Geeks sponsored hole number one located right outside the pro shop at The Edgewood golf course.  The sign, shown below was designed by one of the Weeks Geeks very own, Suzanne McGill, and it received loads of compliments throughout the day.  The day was a success for both the basketball team and Weeks Communications.

If you are looking for something to do during the cold Indiana winter months we encourage you to go out and support the Ravens as they take on the other teams in the Heartland Collegiate Conference this year.  We also encourage you to make your way to weekscomm.com and check out our new, fun and interactive website.  Or, simply give us a call at 765.251.8640 and one of our Weeks Geeks will be happy to talk to you.

Weeks Communications presents Fathom;

better communications builds better relationships.

Seth Daniels is an Account Manager and Marketing Coordinator at Weeks Communications.

Andrew shows his best “Tourist” Geek in this photo!