Editor’s Forum

EDITOR’S FORUM ROSA SOPHIA • MANAGING EDITOR

DO WHAT YOU LOVE…

To get a clear idea of where we’re going, it helps to consider where we’ve been. How are you following your path?

There’s an old saying that goes, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” Years ago, a close friend said this to me about my writing. Regardless of the path you’re taking, there are many practical steps you can take in the meantime. Successful retailers, technicians and sales professionals know these valuable steps. Some of them include building positive store culture, prioritizing education and ensuring everyone on the team feels like an integral part of the growth process. Last, but never least—communicate, communicate, communicate. of us, and asking these difficult questions will help to clarify our vision and pave the way forward.

EMBRACING A WILLINGNESS TO BE FLEXIBLE

There’s another common element I’ve noticed among many of our Industry Awards winners over the years: They can often pivot very well whenever needed. As all of us know, being able to pivot into different areas of business or skillsets is essential to growth—but we witnessed an even higher need for this during the pandemic. Things changed at such a rapid pace because of the impact of COVID-19 that the ability to think quickly and alter focus became paramount. Cultivating flexibility and patience, and learning when to pivot, can also positively impact our personal lives. Award winners I’ve interviewed frequently talk about the importance of balancing work life and personal life, so they know how important these things are in every aspect. Learning flexibility and patience, and when to pivot, are all muscles we can exercise. Through tenacity and dedication, we can improve ourselves both personally and professionally. I always try to include useful strategies in this magazine, and I’m already thinking of a few I would encourage you to read in last month’s issue, if you haven’t already: Check out Drewbie Wilson’s recommendations in the October issue of What’s Happening, as well as in this month’s issue of Strategy and Tactics.

In every issue, retailers and technicians share lessons they’ve learned that can benefit all of us: While I’m not a technician or a retailer, I learn a lot from all of you.

How are you learning to look within and follow your own path? Please reach out: I’d love to hear your thoughts.

CULTIVATING A CLEAR VISION FORWARD As we enter another round of Industry “ Awards, I’m thinking of last year’s awards ceremony in Las Vegas. At each Industry Learning Awards event, I notice strong determination and perseverance among the contestants. I flexibility and also notice a genuine passion for the work. They have done what they love—and yes, the patience, and money has followed. But, more than that, they all seem to have a clear vision forward. when to pivot, are If you’re reading this, and you’re lacking when it comes to your own vision, it might be a good all muscles we can time to sit down and consider why you started in the first place. exercise.

As we learned in the October issue of Mobile Electronics magazine, from Jon Kowanetz’s article, “Ten Questions to Ponder Before You Sell,” sometimes this honest intro” spection leads us to make big life changes. Other times, it might help us to understand why we’re feeling a particular way. It might help us to realign a personal or professional mission. As Jon pointed out, “Are you ready for the next chapter, or are you just avoiding the responsibility of making some difficult changes?”

Regardless of the changes we’re facing, it’s important to be as honest as possible with ourselves. The answer is often right in front