I’ve had the great fortune to visit
many countries and experience their cultures, and I often tell stories
based on those experiences. But when I begin to tell people about my most recent trip—to Cuba—their eyes light up, their attention sharpens and they lean forward with great interest and curiosity.
Over the past several months, many gear manufacturers and industry suppliers have been telling me how busy they
are. Their backlogs are the largest in history, their sales the highest they’ve been in many years. They’ve invested in new capabilities, new machinery and people.
I came back from Gear Expo in a pretty good mood, and judging by the smiles on the faces of exhibitors I saw, I'm not alone. In fact, the mood at Gear Expo 2011 was the best I've seen in recent memory.
In India, “namaste” is used as a common greeting. Although it translates
literally to “I bow to you,” it’s often
used the same way we use “hello” or
“good-bye.” It’s a phrase commonly
exchanged between individuals when they meet, and it’s also used as a salutation when they part. I’m using the
phrase here because I’d like to introduce you to an exciting new project
and venture for Randall Publications LLC.