I’m back. If you noticed at all, maybe you thought I retired. Or you thought I sold In Business and moved away. Maybe you thought I became a hermit.
Wrong. I’ve been in Madison all along, and now I’m back writing my In Biz blog for IBMadison.com several times a month.
I did stop writing my monthly In Biz column in In Business magazine in 2009 after 20 years. I had started that column in 1989 when we, Magna Publications, purchased In Business magazine from the founder, Suzanne Beecher.
Some of you missed the In Biz column, at first anyway, and asked me why I quit. Others never noticed and as recently as last week said to me, “I enjoy reading your column every month.”
There were several reasons I stopped writing the column, among them lack of time and the feeling that good subject ideas were harder and harder to come by.
But now I’ve stuck my neck out again and plan to give it my best. I can blame (or thank) IB Editorial Director Joe Vanden Plas for twisting my arm and inviting me to resurrect the column as a blog. It happened at a social event earlier this month. The fact that a bit of wine had been served was strictly incidental to my decision to accept.
Some may assume that my resuming In Biz is related to Jody Glynn Patrick’s recent announcement that she is cutting back to a reduced role as publisher emeritus of IB. It isn’t. Although her column will no longer appear in the magazine, her “Open for Business” blog will continue to appear here.
There is no way I could expect to replace Jody as a writer. She’s prolific, smart, savvy about so many things, creative, and willing to take a risk on subject matter.
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In the publication business, there tend to be two distinct camps: the editorial side and the business/advertising side. These are generally comprised of people with very different aptitudes and personalities. And often the folks on one side of the publication business don’t understand or relate well to those on the other side.
Jody is one of those few who can transcend the traditional Wall of China between editorial and advertising. She is primarily a writer. I should say communicator — we’ve all seen her in action with her former radio show and as a public speaker. But she also is business-savvy, but not to the point of selling out editorial integrity.
Those skills and characteristics allowed In Business to flourish under her leadership. Fortunately, our outstanding team and Jody’s apt selected protégé, Jon Konarske, will have her as a resource as he takes over the reins as publisher. Jody will remain as a consultant while she also does marketing work for other clients as an independent entrepreneur.
I look forward to an excellent continuing relationship with Jody as a friend, business colleague, and a tremendous asset to the Madison-area business community. And I thank her most sincerely for the success In Business has enjoyed under her stewardship. Jody’s made her indelible mark, and after all these years of existence, IB has never been better.
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