It’s a holiday week and a short one at that for many of you so I thought I’d reflect on some of the reasons that I’m thankful to be part of the document imaging industry. It’s something I think about every once in a while and although as a journalist the this wasn’t the first on my list of industries to spend my career writing about, somehow or other I’ve found a home, and for that I’m thankful.
Anyway, allow me to be more specific about what I’m thankful for. In the spirit of that memorable 1979 song from Ian Dury & the Blockheads, “Reasons to be Cheerful,” here’s my reasons to be thankful, one, two, three…
- The many relationships I’ve established over the years from all corners of the industry. I’m especially thankful to have had the opportunity to know and work with various people who are no longer with us.
- Just when I think there’s nothing new to write about, something new comes along and I’m off and running once again.
- An opportunity to travel to cities and places I might never have visited on my own, including Las Vegas, which now ranks as my #1 travel destination having traveled there more than 50 times in the past 29 years.
- My more than 15 minutes of fame. Admittedly, I don’t do this for fame and fortune. If I did I ought to be committed, but it is nice to know I can send an e-mail or make a call to get a quote or arrange an interview and get a speedy response because I’m a known quantity.
- Luck. I’ve had quite a bit of it. If it weren’t for luck, whether it’s being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people, or whatever, I may have ended up for better or for worse like so many of my peers in the press or my friends at the various public relations agencies who represent document imaging industry clients no longer involved in this industry.
- The amazing entertainment I’ve seen at some of the dealer meetings and conferences I’ve attended. This industry knows how to party. Some of the more memorable include Cheap Trick, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, the Mamas & the Papas (even though there was only one original Papa in the group) and Marie Osmond, yes Marie Osmond. She put on a good show at a BTA conference back in the early nineties.
I’ll stop there and let you reflect for a moment about why you’re thankful to be a part of this ever changing industry. It’s something we shouldn’t ever take for granted.
Thanks for reading and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
