Kim's Blog

Educational Publishing a Key Indicator

As I reflect on 2008, I have learned a great deal this year. Much of what I have come to expect out of the ed publishing industry has gone by the wayside. It is a new time, a time to adapt and a time to change the way business has been done in the past. One main lesson learned this year is that we, in education, are a leading indicator of a country heading into economic strife.
I never realized that the housing market and the education market were so closley aligned until 2008 came along. We were one of the first industries to feel the hit as 21 state budget shortfalls came into view. 21 out of 50. Wow!
Since most experts forecast that we have not hit rock bottom yet, then we have to brace ourselves.
This makes me think the housing market and the ripple effect it creates has much more of an impact on me than just my ever-falling housing values. For me it is the livelihood of an industry such as ours. For me, it is an AHA! moment.
So what am I doing? Looking for opportunities. Thinking about ways we can improve our services and trying to discover what is driving our clients decision- making process.
I hope educational publishing will get back on track.  I want to continue to develop quality products, but we all have to work together to achieve our end goals.
How might we help?