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Editorial
The
Annual Review
As 2003 rapidly comes to an end, there’s one thing that
will be very hard to avoid: the annual review. As one year ends
and a new one begins it is almost impossible not to be introspective.
It’s just the time of year when we take a look at ourselves,
our lives, our businesses, our careers and decide how we’re
doing.
The annual review needn’t be something to dread. In fact, it should be
something to look forward to—providing we’ve all worked hard and
have done our best. A critical look at the year behind us will discover areas
in which we’ve done well that will make us feel good about ourselves as
well as areas in which we could stand some improvement—both of which are
good things.
One of the most important questions we need to ask ourselves is: Am I happy?
As Kitty Stein points out in her column this month (see page 50), for most of
us that’s not a simple or easy question to ask, but the answer is so important
to our lives and businesses. For those decidedly not happy, and those who aren’t
quite sure, Kitty offers an exercise to help pinpoint where things went wrong.
The next step, then, is to change it. “If you are not happy,” she
writes, “then do something about it!”
Kitty’s exercise is not about money. She is looking for deeper meaning:
peace, contentment and joy as a person and as a business. That is, after all,
what it’s all supposed to be about. But let’s face it, most of us
wouldn’t mind making a few more bucks next year either!
Steve Bursten has a solution (see page 58). In fact, he offers two quick steps
that are just about guaranteed to increase business next year—perhaps by
as much as 20 percent. It will take some work and some sacrifice. It means selling
more, raising prices and putting that money into advertising instead of your
pocket. But the steps you take today will pay off down the road.
We’ve engaged in a bit of yearend introspection ourselves at Draperies & Window
Coverings and one of the areas we certainly don’t want to fall behind in
is in expressing our thanks and gratitude to all of our readers, advertisers
and associates. You all care so much about this industry to be vital members
of it, and you all work so hard to make it special, fun, profitable and worthy
of respect. That’s a good thing, too. Happy holidays!
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