... there can be a great crisis. And that's just how it is. Here at ISS, we're in a "crisis of bounty," meaning we've got too many good things happening at once. Not a bad problem to have.
I'm just dotting the i's and crossing the t's on our December 2007 issue, which focuses on self-storage staffing. It's a must-read for those of you who want tips on hiring, compensation, bonuses, incentives, training, etc. I did notice while I was compiling the editorial that the emphasis is always placed on the qualities that comprise a valued facility employee or manager, but hardly ever any mention of what it takes to be a good supervisor. I address this in my editor's letter for that edition. Check it out, pardner.
The 2008 ISS Factbook is still in production and will be so for another week. It's more than 250 pages of industry knowledge, soon to be unleashed on the self-storage public. This is an excellent resource for professionals at all levels. But as much as I believe in its value from an information standpoint, I won't be sad when this monster of a project no longer darkens our doorway. It's eaten all the cashews, drank all the Diet Cherry Pepsi, and puts its feet on the furniture. Good riddance (at least, until we begin work on the 2009 generation).
Earlier this week, I was in Arlington, Texas, for the Texas Self Storage Association annual convention and tradeshow. Those guys always put on a decent event. One of the things that most impressed me was they had added some activity segments to the daily education program, a few things to get the blood flowing during a day normally consumed with sitting on your duff in seminars. Just before the evening tradeshow preview, they had organized four different half-hour sessions: one on lock-cutting, another on putting (golf), and then line dancing and self-defense. What an excellent idea.
My only complaint about the show was the Inside Self-Storage booth was positioned directly across the aisle from an LED sign company, which had this huge, obnoxiously bright sign that just accosted me with rhythmic flashing all day. Talk about a migraine in the works. And if I had a nickel for every attendee who walked by and said, "You should be wearing sunglasses!", I'd have come home a rich woman. (It wasn't the sign company's fault, mind you. It was just peddling its product like anyone else. Perhaps I was burning off some bad karma from a past life.)
One last thing: Be on the lookout for the new ISS website next week! Same rich content, but with a revised look and feel. Please send me your feedback on its presentation and usability if you have the time. I'd appreciate your comments.