Business Planning Tips for the New Year

You may have heard the familiar quote “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” This is particularly appropriate for business planning. As you set new objectives and strategies for 2022, realizing success requires forward thinking and a detailed strategy. Here are some tips to help you prepare for and achieve a new era of growth in the year to come.

  1. It’s not too late to make New Year business goals – Long- and short-term goals will help keep you and your business on target. Tip: When setting goals, make sure they are SMART: Specific (detailed); Measurable (meaningful, motivating); Achievable (agreed, attainable); Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based); and Time bound (time-based, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
  2. Commit to creating a 12-month budget – Need no-cost business assistance to help you tackle a budget? Contact the Small Business Development Center or SCORE
  3. Be creative with your marketing strategy – Remember, social media is a great way to communicate with your customers and help you find potential new ones.  
  4. Find new networking opportunities – If you are not actively networking, set a goal this year that gets you in front of more people and expands your business network. You can join a local business organization such as the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce or Calvert County Minority Business Alliance, amp up your online networking on platforms like LinkedIn, and even share your expertise by speaking at a business event. 
Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland (TCCSMD)
Offers Businesses Employee Training Incentives

  • Wage Reimbursement Training (OJT) pays 50% to 100% of the cost of training new employees. Those businesses which have experienced a negative economic impact can qualify for 100%. 
  • Skillup SOMD is a training platform for businesses to manage and train current staff. All training is free with a fee required for employee access. There are many trainings that companies need now including: customer service, Cisco-security+ and environmental training. TCCSMD can assist with application requirements. 
  • Apprenticeship Training Support offers funding support for classes and online training required for apprenticeships. Some eligibility requirements apply if no economic impact has been experienced.

For information on how to take advantage of these opportunities and more visit online.
Did you know Calvert County Government is on LinkedIn?

Follow us for economic development news, job postings and more!
Are you looking for employees?

Post a free listing on the Maryland Workforce Exchange.
The Calvert County Department of Economic Development compiles various data points to track the economic health of our community. These snapshots include unemployment rates, commercial vacancy rates, wages and more. To view the latest data releases or past publications, visit online.
Interested in starting a farm business? Learn how with this unique opportunity: The Maryland Beginning Farmer program is launching a success course starting on Feb. 10, 2022. The program is designed for those considering or in the beginning stages of starting a farm business. 

Classes meet on Thursday evenings, from 7-8:30 p.m., from Feb. 10 through April 7. To find more information on this course and to register, visit online. Course registration is $65. If the registration fee is a financial barrier, please fill out this scholarship application.
Economic Development COVID Grants

Between June 2020 and October 2021, Calvert County Economic Development distributed more than $3 million in grant money to businesses in our community. For an overview on how we distributed these funds, click here.
Just Released!

The Calvert County Major Employers list for 2021-2022 is now available. To view the list, visit online at ecalvert.com/majoremployers.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the development of our newly adopted Strategic Plan and submitted ideas for action. This plan will help us achieve a number of goals and objectives to ensure Calvert County’s economy continues to recover from the COVID pandemic and our businesses, tourism and agricultural industries can continue to thrive.

We invite you to review the 2021-2024 plan (PDF) 
Stay connected with us! Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the most recent news, events and announcements from the Department of Economic Development.
Calvert County Department of Economic Development | 410-535-4583 | info@ecalvert.com | eCalvert.com
Produced by the Department of Communications & Media Relations