Kim Sweet
If you're anything like me; if your company is anything like mine, you've spent untold hours over the last month analyzing the year that's past and preparing for the year to come. No doubt those efforts are partly driven by the need to file tax returns and conduct performance evaluations, but let's hope the exercise is more meaningful than that. I like to take time at year's end to write down everything I did for the first time that year, no matter how small or large.
At home, I have my own set of criteria against which to measure my accomplishments. At work, these criteria have been developed together with a group of people whom I am proud to call colleagues. Ultimately every one of us, and every publication and program we produce, is measured against our mission, vision and values. Two statements within our vision strike an especially deep chord for me.
- To know that every act this group performs is measured by its ability to enhance the industry we serve.
- To blur the lines between work and fun so that every member of our industry shares our passion for achieving something bigger than ourselves.
All four people on this month's cover share a commitment to that vision with me, whether it's a formal part of their lives or not. Bill Asdal, Dan Bawden, Iris Harrell and Donna Bade Shirey technically made the January cover because they received Professional Remodeler's first four Achievement Awards. But they earned this recognition precisely because their devotion to their peers, clients, employees and professional partners has helped make remodeling a better, smarter, more profitable, more professional and more fun industry.
I believe they'll continue to do so, and I expect no less from myself, my staff and this magazine. Wanting to better serve remodelers, we continually seek reader feedback. Based on what we've heard and read, we've made a few changes to the magazine with the advent of this new year. For one, we've reorganized the content into four main sections: Projects, Products, Practices and People. For another, we've added a couple of interactive sections, Portfolio and On Site, that will better allow PR to show the industry in action, from design and construction to education and celebration.
My New Year's resolution for myself and for Professional Remodeler: to make 2003's list of brave new achievements more meaningful than 2002’s and to always remember that we are in the business of creating - and re-creating - not just homes but also opportunities and relationships. I challenge you to do the same for yourself and your company.