Hello, everyone! It’s August. The kids are headed back to school – sort of, depending on where you are located. Mine are starting next week with a hybrid model that will see them in the school building two days a week and at home for three. Sports are back, as long as you’re not a Husker fan like I am, but thank goodness I can watch Royals games – it makes life seem a little more normal.

Work definitely hasn’t slowed down, and part of the reason I’m still swamped is because I’m taking time for business development activities. As a good friend of mine is fond of saying, we spend a lot of time working IN the business and very little time working ON the business.

What does it look like to work ON the business? Well, for me, it means I’ve been seeking out some online education in the areas where I feel we need an extra boost. With almost all in-person events cancelled, the amount of online education that is specific to our industry is unbelievable.

Of course, the Foil & Specialty Effects Association hosted an online conference in June and that content is still available for free, on-demand viewing at www.fseaconference.com.

But there’s so much more. I saw a webinar opportunity about changes at the post office from APTech. I know Printing United and Pack Expo are ramping up to move their tradeshows to an online format. So many of our supplier partners are hosting Q&As with their product development and engineering teams. It’s a great time to look around and see what the opportunities for growth might be in your company.

I’m also looking outside of our industry for education. How do I host an online event? What about a video plant tour? Or a video press check? Maybe now is a great time to boost our website or to look at my employee training practices. What do I NOT know that could make my life easier and our business better?

There are a lot of things that aren’t fun about the business impacts of the pandemic. But there are opportunities, too. I’d encourage you to look around to see what your associations, suppliers and area business partners are providing in terms of educational growth. Have a great day, everyone. And, as always, let us know if we can support your businesses in any way.