Posted January 6, 2016
 

Happy new year, y’all. I trust you were able to recharge over the holidays and spend some quality time with your families. It was a good break, and now I’m ready for whatever the year has in store.

 

With 2016 still in diapers and begging for our undivided attention, let me implore you to consider the following.

 

As an industry and individuals, let’s resolve to:

 

• Stay positive. Sure, the U.S. manufacturing sector’s key index – ISM – hit 48.2 percent in December, the lowest mark since June 2009, and parts of the textile and apparel business ended the year somewhat flat. But half the battle in turning a corner is attitude. We’re at a new beginning. The canvas is blank. Look at it as such and work hard to do your part to continue the industry’s upsurge. There’s no reason to panic. We’re hot off one of the best, most well-attended, most enthusiastic ITMAs in years, so the momentum is on our side.

 

• Collaborate. During the industry’s depressed years, we developed a “we’re-in-this-together” mentality that not only helped us survive, but emerge as a resolute, strong global industry. We partnered, even with competitors. We networked. We cooperated. We created technologies and innovations together that were groundbreaking and helped lead to our recovery. Let’s keep that collaborative spirit this year.

 

• Get involved. If you’re not a member of an industry association, join one. If you are a member, ask yourself what you can do to advance the association and your professional development. Cultivate relationships with your organization’s colleagues. Join a committee or its board. You’ll be amazed how much you’ll learn, the friendships you’ll make and the unforeseen opportunities that may materialize from active participation.

 

• Get “smarter.” With email inboxes overflowing and news coming at us from all directions, it’s difficult for all of us to find time to take a break, catch our breath and read – really read, to the point that you’re doing more than just gobbling up words without consuming their meaning. Skimming doesn’t really help you understand what was written. That’s like cramming down lunch without taking the time to savor its flavors. I guarantee if you turn off all distractions, slow down and read, ponder what you read and then re-read, you’ll learn something new each day. And you’ll be better prepared if the subject you learned ever comes up.