Bridges can be an incredible feat of engineering genius, or a simple board stretched across a rift. But no matter what the design, the purpose is always the same; to help connect two points for the betterment of both. In the business world people often burn the very bridge that helped them gain prosperity in the first place. Then when things change you suddenly realize you need that bridge again, but the other side still can't understand why you destroyed the last one that you both labored so hard on in the first place. Some of you about now are probably saying, "How does all this have anything to do with ceramics?" In more ways than you might imagine it has everything to do with the industry as a whole.
A bridge allows us to share our uniqueness with other people. Ceramics is, and always has been, a cottage industry. During the last "explosion of the ceramic biz" people got zealous. Money and immediate profitability consumed the scene. In the cottage industry it is sustainability that must remain at the forefront. A classic example would be mold companies that had existed for decades selling their line, while enjoying subtle increases in sales. Then BOOM, the demand explodes, as ceramic shops opened on nearly every street corner. Founders of the companies saw it as a golden time to retire and pass it on to family or sell the business. But the new owners only knew that heightened level of demand, not the consistent flow of the stable times. The industry began to change (as happens over and over in all the craft industry) The intricate and important manufacturer - distributor - dealer connections became blurred. Sales began to return to a normal status quoe.
Today the industry is without question stabilizing nicely. It is returning to the cottage industry it was intended to be. This is a good thing. Those of you who are looking for the opportunity to build new bridges , they exist. A fair amount of "nastiness" existed the last 10-15 years in the ceramic industry. Because of it many treasured parts of the industry became lost. But all of that is history, and we can not change history. Let us each be a part in connecting this wonderful industry and open up the land with many new bridges.
What bridge are you working on to help connect the ceramic industry?
I am so proud to be part of CAG.Quite honestly in the past,I found the "nastiness" as you call it, annoying and very disappointing.We are in a field that will expand enormously, if we work together and not against each other.
ReplyDeleteIt's time to leave the past and move on to a better and brighter future as team players.Hopefully,many will realize the benefits of this.
Rita, I think you will find many exciting connecting things happening in 2010 for the slipcast ceramic industry. Personal prejudice, old time dislikes, fear of working together, will all move to the back burner in a big way this year. Thanks for your vote of confidence in the CAG!
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