Kurt C. Peterson, Publisher
For many, the first three quarters of 2012 saw growth and stabilization. But the promise of positive change for the economy in general (or lack thereof) rather than action, fostered by election-year antics, proved detrimental to the business world in many ways. Buzz words like fiscal cliff, double-dip recession and Obamacare struck fear into the hearts of many, paralyzing and polarizing CEOs, business owners, employees and yes, even our country’s leaders.
For most Americans, the new year is a celebration of surviving the old and moving on to the new prospects, ventures, expansion, training, etc. Yet standing in place or giving in to bad news has done nothing to promote a better economic picture. If you’re waiting for government to make it happen, you’ll just be waiting for the next New Year celebration to roll around.
Success is what everyone dreams of happening but disappointments abound. If you take a closer look at the biggest businesses and highest achievers, however, you will find that failure was their most successful motivator. Once something fails, it can be removed from the list of options, closing the gap on which possibilities are likeliest to bring much sought after success. And that’s the key to moving the goal posts in your favor. We always have a chance to make things happen to prove our industry is not stagnating or waiting for the other shoe to drop, if innovative individuals and industry leaders step up to make changes happen.
In his Creative Marketing column, David Martin addresses a possible change that may have a huge impact on the water treatment industry, especially when recycling and reusing water have become such a news item. Opportunities abound for dealers to position themselves for a changing dynamic that consumers may not readily understand but are willing to embrace. Public Health Editor Kelly Reynolds opines on possible emerging contaminants with possible waterborne transmission pathways. Again, dealers take note because having this information on hand to explain to clients what is happening will bolster your presentation with facts. On the technical side, C.F. ‘Chubb’ Michaud presents the first of several articles on hydraulic design, a mainstay of planning adequate and accurate water treatment systems. Nate Mertins of Guthrie & Frey offers insight into a small public water system’s solution to arsenic contamination. More dealers are focused on these business opportunities to enhance their bottom line and the experiences a small dealership shares give others the chance to view things from different perspectives and design better systems.
Make 2013 a banner year for re-investing yourselves in the businesses that have been so carefully grown over the past five decades. We’ll be there right by your side to keep track of what is happening in and to the water industry. Happy New Year!