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The Mating Season
October 12, 2007
When I started working in the business-to-business publishing world, my first editor used to talk to me about the "mating season." That was the period in the fall months of the year, when the big industry and professional associations would hold their annual meetings. It was a time for us journalists to attend the conference sessions, learn, network, and most importantly come back home with a raft of new leads and story ideas.
Now that were in the midst of the 2007 version of that season, I've been reflecting on whether industry and professional associations are as important in the grand scheme of things as they were 20 or even five years ago. Based on my non-scientific method of actually attending events and observing an overall decline in attendance, my conclusion is that these events are not perceived to be as important to the supply chain professional as they once were. And that's a shame.
Organizations like ISM, CSCMP, APICS, WERC, the NIT League and others that I apologize for leaving out are still a primarily vehicle for personal and professional development in our field. As far as I can tell, they are all striving to broaden the educational offerings to members and offer valuable opportunities to network and learn. Plus, they help build a sense of camaraderie for professionals who enjoy learning and enjoy each others company.
The Internet is a wonderful tool. Supply chain people can learn a lot online--whenever and wherever they want to. But the technology can in no way replace true sense of professional community that comes with involvement in a professional organization. I know I'll be out at many of these events this month and next. Hope to see many of you there. And if you're not already involved in an industry or professional organization, now's the time to step up and participate.
What's your view: Are industry and professinal groups as importatn to a person's development today as they used to be?
Posted by Frank Quinn on October 12, 2007 | Comments (0)