By chance we came across the Blogtoberfest from Judith Peters on Instagram. The idea of writing about a topic together with many other bloggers made us curious. As we started publishing posts more regularly again last month, we thought it would be an exciting challenge to take part. So we signed up and waited in anticipation for the topic.
When the theme was finally announced, I was initially a little unsure how to apply it to our blog, which is all about events and decorations. The theme is: "My to-want list in the 4th quarter of 2024". At first glance, it seemed too personal for our Company blog. But Judith quickly dispelled any doubts and explained how such topics can also be creatively addressed in a company blog.
This gave rise to the idea of giving you a look behind the scenes at Magnolias on Silk and share our to-want list for the last 12 weeks of the year with you. Our aim is to put a green ✅ in front of each item on this list at the end of the quarter if we have achieved our goals. We are already excited to see how well we will do!
Join us on this journey and let us know in the comments how you like this insight into our planning!
Our adventures on the road in the 4th quarter of 2024
2024 was an eventful year full of inspiring journeys. Irka was in Colombia to visit our suppliers and look out for new, exciting products. We were able to accompany inspiring masterclasses in Provence and Normandy, making valuable new contacts and deepening existing relationships.
Of course, our visit to the Maison & Objet in Paris, where we went in search of the latest design trends. Although we love travelling and it is always a source of inspiration, we are looking forward to making the 4th quarter a little quieter and more contemplative. Spending time with the family is our priority.
Our only travel plan this quarter takes us to a very special place:
- 1✅ Together with the Photographer Stefanie Lange and the Event planner Anja Habel we are looking forward to an extraordinary project at Rammenau Castle.
Our professional goals and to-wants for the 4th quarter of 2024
For us, the 4th quarter is characterised by growth and the conscious further development of our business practices - with a clear focus on sustainability. While we have been implementing environmentally friendly measures and working closely with partners for a long time, we have recognised how important it is to put these efforts in writing and make them transparent. Sustainability is not just about doing good, but also about talking about it and sharing it. Our goals for this quarter therefore primarily reflect the next steps on our path to greater transparency and communication.
- 2We record our sustainability goals in writing and publish them.
Although sustainability has long been a central component of our work, we now also document our environmental goals in writing and publish them. - 3We draw up a Code of Conduct as part of our sustainability management.
In order to communicate our values even more clearly, we are drawing up a Code of Conduct that sets out our sustainable and ethical principles. This code of conduct is intended to provide a binding framework for all partners and suppliers. - 4We develop purchasing guidelines for sustainable sourcing.
A further step towards greater transparency: in our purchasing guidelines, we clearly define the criteria we use to select sustainable products and materials and the suppliers we work with. - 5We optimise our waste avoidance and disposal.
We are continuously working to minimise waste and have already established measures for environmentally friendly disposal. We are continuing to improve this concept and are also making it publicly available. - 6We are developing new collections for 2025.
The development of two new collections for our 2025 decoration hire programme is in full swing. We are placing particular emphasis on sustainable materials and processes. - 7✅ We publish the Christmas collections in the shop.
Our festive Christmas collections will be available in good time in the shop and in decoration hire be available and offer sustainable, stylish products. - 8✅ We participate in the Blogtoberfest part.
We are delighted to be part of the Blogtoberfest to share our ideas with a creative community and gain new inspiration. - 9We are doubling the followers on our new Instagram account @boutique_magnoliasonsilk.
With the expansion of our new Instagram account @boutique_magnoliasonsilk we not only want to increase our reach, but also report on our sustainable activities and double our number of followers. - 10We collect 10 new 5-star reviews on Google.
Every rating counts - and not just for us. For every 5-star rating submitted, we donate 1 m² of protected forest for plants and animals at the end of the year via the Green Forest Fund. - 11We are training our team in online marketing.
Further training for our employees in the area of online marketing is also on our to-do list in order to further strengthen our digital presence and communication. - 12✅ We attend one network meeting per month.
Regular networking is a great opportunity for us to make new contacts, gather inspiration and learn from other industry experts. Our goal for the 4th quarter is to attend at least one networking meeting per month to continue networking, discover exciting collaborations and broaden our horizons. - 13We produce at least two newsletters per month.
To provide our customers with more comprehensive information, we publish at least two newsletters per month in which we present new products, collections, blog posts and sustainability projects.
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- 14We win 5 new event agencies as customers
Our goal for the fourth quarter is to win over five new agencies and establish long-term partnerships. - 15Organising a Christmas party for our team
Our team is the backbone of Magnolias on Silk, and it is important to us to end the year together with a festive and cosy Christmas party. It will be an evening where we celebrate together, look back on the year's successes and simply enjoy our time together.
Fun and adventure
Creativity is at the heart of our work and we love experimenting with new ideas and constantly surprising our customers. In Q4, we want to focus even more on creative projects and have lots of fun in the process. From new decor trends to DIY ideas, here are our plans to fill the darker months with colour, inspiration and fresh ideas:
- 16We publish a new table inspiration every week.
Every week we create a new, exciting table inspiration that is not only suitable for special occasions, but is also designed to brighten up your everyday life. We publish the results in our Blog and share them on our Instagram account @boutique_magnoliasonsilk and under Seasonal table decoration on Pinterest. - 17We create at least one DIY project per week to match our table inspirations.
DIY projects are a wonderful way to express your creativity and add personal touches. Every week we present at least one DIY project to match our table inspirations. So you can not only take inspiration with you, but also get creative yourself. - 18We lauch our "Tablescape in a Box" collections
In the 4th quarter, we are launching our new "Tablescape in a Box" collections. These decorative boxes contain everything you need for a perfectly coordinated table setting - from crockery and glasses to decorative elements such as candles and napkin rings. These "all-in boxes" will be available at a reduced price, either for hire or for purchase. This will make it easier for our customers to decorate one or more tables for a Christmas party or dinner party.
Great moments and ideas that we are looking forward to in Q4 2024
In the 4th quarter, we consciously make time for things that do us good, inspire us and recharge our batteries. Here are a few things that are on our personal to-do list for the last few months of the year:
- 19We spend a relaxing day in a thermal spa.
A relaxing day in a thermal spa is at the top of the list. What could be better than floating in warm brine water and simply switching off? Perhaps you have a tip for a day trip to a thermal spa near Hildesheim or in northern Germany? Then leave us a comment or send us a message. - 20We are out in nature at least twice a month.
Fresh air, exercise and the rustling of leaves... We love it and it recharges our batteries. We plan at least two long walks in the countryside every month. This not only helps us to clear our heads, but also to recharge our batteries for new creative projects. - 21We try out four new recipes with food from nature.
Mushrooms, berries or wild herbs - this autumn and winter we are trying out four new recipes with regional, home-gathered ingredients. - 22We are revitalising our blog Half around the world again and write three new blog articles from our travels around the world.
We published our last post in 2020 when we travelled through Sri Lanka and then gave up blogging. We are revitalising our blog with three new blog articles, because all the wonderful experiences, pictures and stories are too good to let them gather dust on hard drives and in our heads. - 23Marcell reads the book Visible: Winning customers in an increasingly noisy world by Oliver Pott.
Inspiration for the mind: The book has been on Marcell's reading list for a while and will finally be tackled in the 4th quarter. - 24Together with the family we visit the Advent in the courtyards in Quedlinburg.
In the run-up to Christmas, we take a trip to Quedlinburg to visit the enchanting "Advent in the courtyards" to experience. The festively decorated courtyards, handmade artwork and wintry atmosphere are just the thing to get you into the Christmas spirit. Are there any other Christmas markets we should definitely visit? - 25We visit the dance theatre play Carmina Burana at the Braunschweig State Theatre
It felt like an eternity since we were in the theatre. The dance theatre piece Carmina Burana at the Braunschweig State Theatre is a highlight that we definitely don't want to miss in the 4th quarter. The tickets have already been bought. - 26We visit friends and celebrate New Year's Eve together.
Our plan: celebrate New Year's Eve with friends we haven't seen for a long time and start the new year with good food, beautiful decorations and lots of fun.
If you would like to support us with one of these goals, please send us an email to info@magnoliasonsilk.com. We look forward to hearing from you.