Resolutions for 2009 and beyond
I’m writing this on Dec. 12, with the holidays fast approaching (where has the year gone?), the faltering economy and the auto industry bailout still dominating the news, and snowflakes swirling outside my downtown Cleveland office (they tend to do that here in Cleveland).
With so much to talk about, in our nation and in our world — from terrorism abroad to a Senate seat (allegedly) for sale in Illinois to the historic election of our first African-American president — I feel as if there are a hundred directions I could take this issue’s Cable Vision.
And that’s exactly why I’m going to stay close to home, topic-wise.
After all, this is our blockbuster 2008-2009 purchasing guide — an issue that we hope you’ll keep on your desk throughout the year as a handy reference. In this 76-page edition — the largest and most successful issue that we’ve had since I’ve been editor — you’ll find a comprehensive list of hundreds of products and vendors that can help you meet the needs of your customers and constituents.
Among other goodies in this issue, you’ll find: a list of all 77 NIGP chapters — the heart and soul of NIGP — as well as a profile of each Chapter of the Year; interviews with NIGP Innovations and Best Practices Award winners; and insights into the benefits of the NIGP Code to procurement professionals.
Add regular departments such as Fleet Management and Cooperative Purchasing to the mix, and this truly is a blockbuster issue. But we can always do better.
That’s why I’d like to share with you a few of my New Year’s resolutions for this magazine.
This is the fourth issue of Go Pro, which debuted this summer after the formation of a strategic partnership between NIGP and Penton Media, the publisher of Government Procurement magazine. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. However, we’ve said all along that this is a work in progress, and I have several goals for 2009 and beyond:
- Continue to increase reader involvement
This magazine is for and about public-sector procurement professionals, and as such, Go Pro needs strong reader involvement and feedback in order to stay vibrant, relevant and timely. That’s why we launched Procurement Ponderables,which encourages you to weigh in on hypothetical challenges that procurement professionals might face. That’s why we encourage letters to the editor (I’d love to see a full two pages of letters in ever issue), and I encourage procurement professionals whom I meet to consider writing for us, if they’re so inclined. Also, I’m trying to fully utilize our editorial advisory board, which has been such an outstanding resource in the past (by the way, if you’d like to participate, e-mail me!). Of course, your involvement doesn’t have to be so formal: If you have a story idea, don’t feel shy about calling or e-mailing me. I don’t bite.
- Continue to refine our content mix
That’s a fancy way of saying that I’d like to publish more feature articles and news stories on the cutting-edge topics and trends that directly affect your job. I believe that we have a strong foundation on which to build, but we can always do better. Again, we encourage you to contact us with your story ideas, or just to drop us a line to let us know what kind of trends you’re noticing in the field — you are the pulse, and the eyes and ears, of the profession.
- Continue my education
No, I’m not talking about going back to school to obtain my master’s degree. I’m talking about gaining a deeper understanding of your job — the value that you provide to your organization, the skills that you bring to the table and the challenges and obstacles that you must overcome to serve your customers and constituents. In addition to Forum (we’ll see you in St. Louis), my staff and I will try to carve out time to attend more regional workshops, symposiums and chapter events to further our education. And for anyone who is brave enough to let me shadow you for a day while you perform your job duties, drop me a line. As I said before, I don’t bite.
Despite the constant barrage of bad news that we’ve been subjected to in recent months, I’m optimistic about 2009. Maybe that’s because the New Year always gives me a psychological clean slate with which to work. Regardless, I’m looking forward to serving the procurement profession in 2009, I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas and I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Have a safe and successful New Year!
Josh Cable is the editor of Go Pro as well as its sister publication, Government Product News.