Decisions, Decisions

Published: 3rd February 2017 | Issue 40 Share article:

To those receiving this valve industry magazine for the first time – welcome. We very much hope you enjoy it, and also our Annual Review of BVAA activities at its centre.

To our more established readers, welcome to the 40th issue of this publication! Or put another way, our 10th Anniversary edition.

I remember well the discussions surrounding whether or not BVAA should embark upon such an exercise as producing a glossy magazine. It was a tough decision, requiring not inconsiderable time and resource, at a time of scarce funds, and not to say a fair amount of courage.

We shepherded together 24 pages for Issue 1 – itself three times the size of our previous newsletter. Ten years on we regularly tip the scales at 80+ pages. A good call, and not bad at all for a trade association-led journal.

Of course there have been some decisions we’ve also come to regret. Overall however we as an association are in much better shape than ten years ago, and a fair bit of credit must go to this mouthpiece and shop-front, Valveuser.

Tough decisions still abound however. Lately our Business Development Group has signed-off on the awarding of the biggest contract in our history, for a new set of much needed, professionallyprepared market reports. The start of another journey.

I remember a former Chairman of the BVAA and I debating a particularly taxing issue once. As I hesitated, with wisdom and experience far greater than mine, he gently coaxed me with ‘a decision must be made Rob. Whether what you choose is right or wrong we cannot forecast, but you must make it.’ I too was about ‘40’ at the time and it’s a piece of insightful advice I’ve never forgotten. Unlike the longforgotten topic, which I guess puts it into perspective.

Big decisions are all around us as an industry at the moment. ‘Brexit means Brexit’ we are told, only the manner of it is now to be debated, but confidence seems higher now in industry than when that shock decision was announced.

Interesting to note we have a Prime Minister that none of us voted into post, who is, I think most would agree, rather the antithesis of Donald Trump, and yet has been handed one of the biggest issues in this country for over half a century.

As I write the USA Presidential inauguration is about to take place, and that incumbent’s selection is a decision only time will tell is the much-touted ‘good call’ by the right, or the disaster others expect. Let’s see how he does after ‘40 issues!’

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