From the Editor
School is in session
They say that every day ’ s a school day and it ’ s certainly been a learning curve since we switched to monthly magazines here at The Locksmith Journal . And , if learning really is as easy as ABC , what one , two , three things have we found out since July ..?
» COMMUNICATION REALLY IS KEY . Anyone can tell you that communication is important but it ’ s the way we share information , as well as the information itself , that has been top of our research list since we started the new phase of our publication . We want communication to be more of a collaboration . We want to know what you want to know . And we want you to contribute to the conversation too . That doesn ’ t mean we want you to do our homework for us , by the way , but it does mean that we want you to share your stories , hints and tips , career path and even extra-curricular activities with us .
Innovation is about more than just products . The design and development of safety and security solutions is evolving so fast that even in my five ( plus ) years here at The Locksmith Journal , I have seen so many changes . But innovation goes beyond the physical commodity . The way we process ideas and the processes we use , the way we interact with each other and the way we drive the industry through people and practices - not just products - is also becoming more and more innovative . In fact , this change of pace is exactly what led to the monthly magazine three months ago .
Education never ends . So , it seems strange that the third way to learn is through education itself but what I mean is that the thirst for knowledge should never wane . Even looking at the timetable for the MLA Expo , the level of training on offer goes to show that there is no relenting when it comes to us wanting to improve ourselves , our businesses and our industry as a whole .
As someone who always loved school , this is certainly true for me and the magazine too .
See you next month , Gemma
Doing our homework
With three monthly editions firmly under our belt ( hasn ’ t that gone quick !), I think it ’ s safe to say I ’ ve learned a lot . And that is solely down to you , our readers and the wider locksmith community . I ’ ve had many conversations with you locksmiths over the last month , suffice to say , the rumours are true …
» I JEST . BUT SERIOUSLY , HAVING been a part of The Locksmith Journal for such a short amount of time , I just want to thank each of you for giving up your time to chat to me . Oh , I can ’ t help myself – I ’ ve got to peer through the keyhole and discover more about you all as individuals . Along the way I ’ ve uncovered some of the great charity work you do for your local communities , feel humbled and honoured to be confided in about some of your struggles , and laugh ( a lot ) at some of the comments and phrases that simply cannot , and must not , be typed . It ’ s been a joy .
As we move forward , I ’ m keen to widen my reach and talk to more of you about your business and experiences , the industry , and anything else that is weird , wonderful and whacky .
I will be attending the upcoming MLA show in October so please make your way over to say hello . Or maybe I ’ ll find you first … I ’ m always on the hunt for brand new content , so if you ’ re planning a rebrand , are about to invest in further training and development , or perhaps you ’ re keen to talk about new products and services , I ’ ll be primed , ready and waiting with a coffee in hand .
In the meantime , if you ’ d like to chat ahead of the show , please feel free to get in touch with me by emailing amy @ cvgroup . co . uk or Gemma at gemma @ cvgroup . co . uk
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SEPTEMBER 2023
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