Prosper from today’s increased speed of change
Troy Linker
Long gone are the days when one could learn a profession in their twenties and expect to apply it relatively unchanged for the rest of their work life. Some may lament the good old days when the speed of change was slower, but few think it will or should slow down.
Workers today realize they must continually learn new processes and techniques or be left behind. Successful businesses know they must innovate and improve to compete, and increasingly they recognize that identifying and nurturing lifelong learners in their workforce is as essential to their success as innovation or process improvements. One way or another each article in this issue reinforces the need for lifelong learning.
I try to learn something from every article we publish, but I especially love our articles on the NWISBDC’s E-day Awards. The 2017 class of E-day entrepreneurs represents a variety of industries reminding us that innovation and entrepreneurship are alive and thriving in our region. Well done and congratulations to the honorees!
Everyone wants an excellent education for our children, and we recognize that well-educated citizens contribute to a prosperous and safe community, which is why we commit public resources to fund education. Bob Moulesong takes us along as he looks at how some of these resources are invested locally in new school construction. He talks with local school leaders and builders who are building or remodeling local schools to meet the needs of today’s students.
Business meetings and events are valuable tools for networking with the community, communicating with customers, and educating and energizing our internal team. Yet, the thought of spending the whole day inside a meeting room or ballroom can make one wish for a trip to the dentist instead. Lesly Bailey suggests meeting planners consider livening things up by holding their next meeting or event at an orchard, lake, farm, prairie, or zoo…oh my!
Traveling around the region, have you noticed an old building coming down or some activity on a vacant piece of land and wondered what is happening? Months go by with little visible action and then suddenly the work gets underway. Jerry Davich takes us behind the scenes of construction projects and introduces us to local engineering firms whose work often goes unnoticed, but who are essential for a successful construction project.
Also in this issue, we meet Mark Fisher, President of Michigan City’s Dwyer Instruments. Ron Howard shares Lessons in the Game of Life. We learn about a group of volunteers making a difference every day by advocating for children in need. Blair Milo (former Mayor of La Porte) talks about her new position as Secretary of Career Connections and Talent and shares the state’s plans to help workers and businesses build the workforce needed for tomorrow’s jobs.
Finally, it is time again for you, our readers, to pick the “Best of” local business. Please visit NWIndianaBusiness.com/Bestof to cast your vote for the best businesses in our region. Voting ends Friday, February 23rd. Don’t miss your chance to promote our local businesses.
—Troy Linker
Click to read more from the Feb-Mar 2018 issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magzine.
- Viewpoint: Shrinking workforce here to stay - November 24, 2021
- Hocus pocus! It is time for some strategic planning focus - October 29, 2021
- Commemorating 30 years - January 26, 2021
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