Essentials Magazine Essentials Winter 2019 | Page 5

{ ”You can’t do business in education without knowing all of the right people, and you can’t know all of the right people unless you are a member of the EDmarket association.” HOW HAS EDMARKET HELPED YOUR BUSINESS? My career in this industry would not be what it has been without EDmar- ket. You can’t do business in educa- tion without knowing all of the right people, and you can’t know all of the right people unless you are a member of the EDmarket association. Our association has always been the venue for maximizing potential in the edu- cational market place. When it comes to EDspaces and environments, there is no equal to what EDmarket can deliver. WHAT CHANGES ARE YOU WITNESSING IN THE EDUCATIONAL MARKETPLACE? If you are a champion of change, these are the most exciting times we have ever experienced in the educational industry. Technology began this change, with the curriculum, products, and delivery methods used in schools requiring a different teaching approach. On top of this, a greater understanding of psychol- ogy around how humans learn differ- ently as individuals is quickly changing the environments, tools, and furniture used to best achieve optional results in preparing children for their future careers. At the same time, we have seen schools shift from low cost procurement to quality, sensitive, better-built prod- { uct, incorporating goal achievement in terms of student success allowing for more innovation in furniture focused on solution-driven environments. revenue for the year over a 4-month time period. Besides that, follow the golden rules; Momma was right about all of them. HOW HAS YOUR COMPANY ADAPTED? WHAT ARE YOUR TOP GOALS TO ACCOMPLISH AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD? MooreCo is a company founded on innovation and embracing change. If you were to look at MooreCo from three years ago and then fast forward to today, we look nothing like we did then, and we will continue to remake ourselves going forward based upon our vision of the future. Change has always equaled opportunity at Moore- Co. We are a very different company than the one my mother built, but the basics of our culture — have fun, make it personal, focus on the customer, and innovate for the future — still work, they just look very different than they did 20 years ago. One of the greatest compliments I receive from customers today who knew us in the past is, “this sure is different business, than your mother’s company.” WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS IN OUR INDUSTRY? Ship orders on time, under promise, and over deliver. It sounds very simple, but is easier said than done in an indus- try that requires 70% of its shipment 1. Strengthen the balance sheet by eliminating distractions and focusing on our core. When my year as Chair ends, I hope to leave the balance sheet stronger than it is today. 2. Continue improvement on our best product, EDspaces, and leave it even stronger than it is today with constant expansion of exhibitors and attendees. 3. Remain true to our mission of mem- ber participation in our leadership groups. EDmarket has survived nu- merous years of upheaval in distribu- tion only by the graces of leadership pushing us to change who we are. We do not exist today without our mem- ber leaders. HOW CAN THE MEMBERSHIP ASSIST YOU IN REACHING THESE GOALS? I have worked on almost every commit- tee that I could serve on over my last 30 years in our industry. In a year from now my time will be up. How can the membership help? Step up and volunteer! n essentials | www.edmarket.org 5