I’ll Be Seeing You

By Mitchell Schechter, Editor in Chief -- Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, 12/1/2004

Mitchell Schechter Editor in Chief

It’s time for a change. Those of you who turn to this column each month will probably look at the prior sentence and ask yourself: What is he going after now?

Is a call being issued for a new approach by manufacturers to the way they market their products to end-users? Are dealers to be encouraged to redouble their efforts to recruit qualified young employees into the industry? Perhaps it will be suggested that consultants need to take a stand on the single-spec vs. multiple-spec issue? Or that reps might reinvent themselves as (paid) educators to complement their sales role or that service agents ought to take the lead in developing online product-training courses?

While all of those potential new initiatives rank high on the “need to do” list of all E&S professionals concerned about the future of the distribution channel and improving its current practices, this Editor’s Perspective is actually about a different type of change. And that is one that has taken place at FE&S, where I have left the position of Editor in Chief and a successor is shortly to be named.

My nearly seven years as FE&S Editor have been deeply gratifying in many ways. First, I have had the wonderful gift of receiving a continuing education from you, the readers of FE&S, who are the thought-leaders in this industry. Over the years, during visits to your workplaces, and at conferences, shows and meetings (as well as in countless private pow-wows), we have engaged in dialogues on questions ranging from why dealers have to earn so much of their profits on the back-end to whether e-commerce will ever become an equal partner with face-to-face sales. Nearly every time, I have come away from our discussions better informed and able to understand the bigger picture of the E&S distribution channel. I have also been privileged to form friendships with individuals in every profession in our industry, relationships that have enriched my life and continue to provide sage guidance both personally and professionally.

Some of you have also been generous enough to note that FE&S has received a significant upgrade over the last six-and-more years. Back in 1997, the magazine had no columns to serve as forums in which the industry’s voices could be heard, no regular design articles to depict the creative achievements of consultants and dealer-designers, and no DSR-oriented departments to foster the development of industry salespeople. That FE&S has grown to include such information and has expanded onto the internet with a content-rich web site, a must-read e-mail newsletter and groundbreaking e-book editions is a further source of great gratification.

None of these enhancements could have been made without the contributions of some of the most capable colleagues with whom I have ever worked. Managing Editor Paulette Cortopassi, Associate Editor Toby Weber, former chief contributor Harry Stern, Art Director Carol Davies, Creative Director Glen Luensman and Production Artist Joy Tan-Pipilas, as well as our publishers, sales staff and freelancers, have all bent their efforts during my term to bringing you the most informative, timely and credible business-information publication we could devise. I thank them all.

Another reason I have to be thankful is that though I have left FE&S’ editorship, I will not be severing ties with FE&S. Starting early next year, I will resume my involvement here by contributing articles to the magazine and consulting on the future development of its franchise. While I will also be involved in other ventures, it is pleasing to know that I will continue to share your stories and respond to your input for FE&S.

So, as the French saying goes, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” (The more things change, the more they stay the same.) That is why this is not farewell, only an au revoir. Thus, till I see you again, thanks for making possible the success this magazine has enjoyed since I was hired to edit it for you.

P.S. My personal e-mail is msprose@interport.net. I look forward to hearing from you.