Brian Taylor
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All for One
As we move forward through our first year of publishing First Impressions, we obviously have experienced a lot of "firsts." Our first ADA meeting, the Chicago Dental Association, the Hinman, the New York and California meetings, just to name a few. More importantly, it is the first time I am meeting many of the manufacturers and distributors from across the country and learning more and more each day about the issues that are important to them.
Having just returned from my very first Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) meeting, I am now gaining a perspective on the industry as a whole that I believe is unique. While I have covered the medical distribution side of business for many years, I am struck most by the sense of unity from the stakeholders in dental distribution. Manufacturers, distributors and dental professionals all relate and communicate well among themselves for the betterment of the industry. It was in evidence throughout the DTA meeting, from the networking opportunities to the content of the program. And to boot, I am meeting a lot of terrific people along the way!
Bill George, retired CEO of Medtronics, was one speaker on the program who caught my attention when he talked about leadership development. His mantra and philosophy is that the strength of an organization depends on its ability to empower people so they can become leaders in their own right. His words seem to be echoed by the panel of distributors and manufacturers who shared with the audience their leadership programs and how they developed quality leaders.
It is encouraging to see the cooperation and willingness within this industry to share talents and insights in order to make the collective marketplace a better place to work. It isn’t that way in a lot of places.
In this issue, we are pleased to share with our readers what we believe is a first as well - an interview/story with Dr. Gordon Christensen, whom many of you know through his work as an industry lecturer, teacher and technology evaluator. It is great to see one of the leading dental professionals sharing his story and vision on the future of dentistry and its challenges, in the spirit of making the supplier community better prepared to meet the needs of the profession.
With all the oars in the water rowing the same way, it sure makes it easier to reach one’s goals!
Brian Taylor
Publisher
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