With a whirlwind travel schedule, the launch of some new Advantage Business Media properties, as well as managing new hires and bigger page-counts, 2010 has been a busy year for me.
But it’s December, the snow is starting to fall, and the winter fruits are tasting better by the day. Besides the holiday drama, I am looking forward to things winding down for the year. I have a hypothetical plan for the week before New Year’s that involves hot coffee, sweat pants, and a stack of books I’ve been putting off. Despite several attempts, The Brothers Karamazov, it turns out, is not going to read itself.
But as the economic outlook foreshadows a year of growth and opportunity, the idea of winding down is beginning to feel like a myth—or maybe more of an echo of 2008. In reality both you and I should be ramping up. We’ve got a big year ahead of us.
The latest Semiannual Economic Forecast coming out of ISM (Institute for Supply Management)—released December 7th—predicts manufacturing revenue to increase by 5.6 percent, and for capital expenditures from manufacturers to increase 14.5 percent in 2011. Coming on the heels of GM’s enormously successful November IPO, Chrysler announced last week an $850 million investment in Detroit, associated with new capital equipment needed to produce the 2011 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger. Not too shabby, manufacturing.
Besides the automotive good tidings, other general improvements have persisted, with manufacturing growth outpacing that of the rest of the economy and boasting 16 straight months of expansion: “Manufacturing has gone through that typical business-recovery cycle, where it is really focused on productivity,” Norbert Ore, supply chain consultant and chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, recently told us. “I think we’re carrying a lot of momentum into next year.”
“Momentum” was not on my mind when I looked towards a late December and early January full of Christmas cookie clean-up and a few days off. Maybe it should be, because from the looks of things, the wait might well be over—in which case, I’m ready when you are. That said, a few cookies and a novel would be a fine finish, as long as it’s not followed by that enviable “long winter’s nap.” Lucky for us, we’ve got some work to do.
Thanks for your readership this year. We look forward to seeing you in 2011.
-Anna
