EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS // B y
Alexis Sheprak
asheprak@ACBusinessMedia.com ™
DON’T BE AFRAID to Lean In
R
ecently, I read the phrase, “One of the worst things we do to ourselves is lean into our weaknesses instead of our strengths.” It’s a powerful statement, right? I think so too, but while I understand the message behind it, I also disagree with it. I don’t see leaning into our weaknesses as a problem. I see it more as an opportunity. If we don’t lean into our weaknesses, how can we master them? Change them? Convert them from a vulnerability into a force to be reckoned with? For example, I don’t like public speaking. However, in my professional experience, I’ve had to do lots of public speaking, videos, interviews, etc., that have taken me out of my comfort zone. And I’m eternally grateful for those experiences, as they’ve helped me develop into who I am today. I personally think this issue is chock full of companies doing just that, as well as opportunities for you to put that into practice in ways you might not consider. Take our story on page 69 about why your rental business needs an online presence for example. Maybe you’re intimidated by social media and
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digital content. Maybe you don’t know where to begin. But embracing the world’s new favorability of all things digital will only propel your business forward. And here’s a clever tie-in: lean management. A practiced business tool that many might not know about. As the article on page 54 says, “The need for constant adaptation to change can be challenging.” But leaning into the business weaknesses that don’t bring value can ultimately improve work processes, purposes, and your bottom line. Lastly, I would be remiss to not mention our Editor’s Choice Award winners. These 30 products, tools, and pieces of equipment were chosen based on their innovation and utility. Many of these companies saw a problem within the industry, a weakness if you will, and careened headfirst into solving it. Or maybe their product was revitalized after listening to customer’s feedback, leaning into the process of self-improvement. Whatever the situation may be, the award-winners stand out for their impeccable achievements in the rental and construction industries. I whole-heartedly urge you to look at your so-called weaknesses and consider how you can change them into one of your strengths instead. You have the power to do that, and I believe in you.
PRODUCT NEWS INSIGHT ■
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www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL Published by AC Business Media 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 www.ACBusinessMedia.com
Publication Staff Publisher
Eric Servais eservais@ACBusinessMedia.com
Editor
Alexis Sheprak asheprak@ACbusinessMedia.com
Columnist
Dick Detmer
Senior Production Manager
Cindy Rusch
Art Director
Willard Kill
Audience Development Manager Angela Franks
Advertising Sales (800) 538-5544 Kris Flitcroft
kflitcroft@ACBusinessMedia.com
Sean Dunphy
sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com
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nlawson@ACBusinessMedia.com
Megan Perleberg
mperleberg@ACBusinessMedia.com
Tadashi Soma
tsoma@ACBusinessMedia.com
www.ForConstructionPros.com Editor
Larry Stewart lstewart@ACBusinessMedia.com
Managing Editor
Kimberly Hegeman khegeman@ACBusinessMedia.com
Change of Address & Subscriptions — PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605, Phone: (877) 201-3915 Fax: (847) 291-4816 • circ.rpn@omeda.com List Rental — Bart Piccirillo, Sr. Account Manager Infogroup Media Solutions (soon to be Data Axle) Phone: (518) 339 4511, E-mail: bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com Reprints — Megan Perleberg, mperleberg@ACBusinessMedia. com
AC Business Media Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief Digital Officer Chief Revenue Officer VP Audience Development Director of Digital Operations & IT Director of Digital Strategy Group Content Director
Ron Spink JoAnn Breuchel Kris Heineman Amy Schwandt Ronda Hughes Nick Raether Joel Franke Jon Minnick
Published and copyrighted 2021 by AC Business Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the U.S. to rental centers, equipment distributors, and other businesses with rental departments. To subscribe please visit www.ForConstructionPros.com. Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscribers. One year subscriptions for nonqualified individuals: U.S. $35.00; Canada and Mexico $60.00; and $85.00 all other countries (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank). Single issues available (prepaid only) $10.00 each. Rental (ISSN 2375-9925, Print | ISSN 2471-7657, online | USPS 686-370) is published eight times per year: January/February, March, April, May, June/July, August/September, October/November and December by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Rental, PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605. Printed in the USA. Vol. 43, Issue 6, August/Septemeber 2021
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