Explore all the latest packaging trends, all at PACK EXPO International
Discover new packaging and processing solutions from 2,500+ exhibitors, all under one roof at PACK EXPO International, Nov. 3 – 6 in Chicago.

Let common sense be our guide for planning and growth

Many of us are at the midpoint in our fiscal year.

Pw 3471 John Riley

The precarious state of the economy is well documented. Suffice it to say that after an unexpectedly strong first calendar quarter, the second quarter is much softer, with retail sales in May reporting the worst decline in eight months. On what basis can anyone plan the future?

I find myself asking fundamental questions about not just “what” goals to set, but “how” to achieve them. For me, the “how” has become as important as the “what.” Initially, I thought I could peer into the past to see if history holds any lessons. It would seem that I am not alone in this reflection.

I hadn’t thought about the “Tea Party” since my 1967 elementary school history test, yet now I hear the words every day. What do these words really mean or stand for? Can we be certain there is a shared understanding? Could it be we are trying to recapture the vibrant spirit the colonists had, rather than the stuck-in-the-mud feeling the economy is giving us? Our country had unbridled youth 250 years ago. Today we are middle age.

Can the Cup give us a kick?

I wonder if we can learn anything from a month of World Cup soccer play. What is it about the national teams that cause their respective countries’ populations to unite with emotion and passion? How is it that people who may want to kill each other during the week unite during the games and fervently cheer for the same outcome? Should anyone worry about being politically correct? With the proliferation of camera phones and video cameras, anyone’s actions (in public, or as we are learning, in private) potentially can be seen by everyone. Is it realistic to expect that every action or statement by a public figure, a private businessperson, a sports star, a local police officer, or a firefighter needs to be “fair and unbiased” when viewed under a microscope by 350 million Americans? It will never happen.

New e-book on Multipacking and Case Packing
Read how to extend the life of your case packing equipment and best practices for efficient shrink bundling operation. Plus, learn the differences between wraparound & regular slotted containers.
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New e-book on Multipacking and Case Packing
Check out new technology from 2,500+ packaging & processing suppliers
PACK EXPO International is where you can discuss real-world problems with experts and land on innovative ideas. Discover every new packaging and processing trend, see machinery in action and learn sustainable solutions from experts.
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Check out new technology from 2,500+ packaging & processing suppliers