I’ve been writing a lot about change lately in columns and articles for industry publications. Maybe it’s the time of year, the change to fall colors, or the change from summer to hunting season. Regardless, there are many changes taking place in our shooting sports industry right now.

And all this reflection on change reminded me of a time in high school when late one day I went swimming at a lake called Battle Lake, very near my childhood home. It was a hot August day. And one of those days when you just knew the thunderstorms were coming.

I, however, was way more concerned with getting cool than the changing weather. And let’s just be clear… I am not, and have never been, a great swimmer. I had no business out there without a lookout to watch my back.

Call it the arrogance of youth or the invincible feeling many teenage boys seem to have, but I swam way further into Battle Lake than I should have. And after spending a long, hot day in the hayfield, I quickly began to realize just how weary I was. I also realized the wind had come up, severely. This small, rural and tranquil lake was now teeming with dramatic whitecap waves.

If you’ve ever seen a thunderstorm rage across the prairie, then you understand the fear gripping me at this point. Everyone who had been in the lake or on the shore was gone. I, on the other hand, was trying to catch my breath and stay above the waves.

I was terrified, and truth be told, I don’t believe I’ve ever been closer to dying. Thankfully I was not so scared I gave up, but that swim to shore ranks as one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. I did learn to be a better swimmer in the years after that, though I’m still leery when out on the water, especially in bad weather. That fateful day on Battle Lake, I fought a battle I almost didn’t win. The quickly changing and severe weather nearly got the best of me.

So here’s what I learned…

• Things can change in an instant. You better know what you’re getting into before wading out too far.
• Pay attention to the signs and when the storm comes, don’t think you can beat it. Take shelter and wait it out.
• Have a life-preserver. Everyone needs a backup plan. Even the best-laid plans can sometimes turn against you.
• When fear creeps in, don’t let it cripple you. Let instincts be your guide.

Many of these lessons can and should be applied to today’s businesses. In an ever-changing and constantly moving marketplace, you need to be observant and plan well. And keep that backup plan ready too. Unfortunately, too many people have discovered the hard way the old adage that “failing to plan is planning to fail.” That day on the lake, I failed to plan… but I got lucky, pure and simple. Thankfully, God had bigger plans for me.

In just a few weeks from now, during the NASGW Expo, manufacturers, distributors, manufacturer representatives, and other key industry leaders will be gathering in Pittsburgh. I hope that each of you takes advantage of the great opportunity that the Expo provides, to plan for the future and hedge your bets against the constantly changing market.

NASGW will release a brand-new tool designed to help you be ready. Smart, thorough and robust business intelligence resources are critical to success in today’s world. Please don’t miss our SCOPE™ Launch Event set for Thursday morning. Come take a look and see how SCOPE™ can help your business on the road to success and help you plan for the storms. You’ll find details on this new members-only program in this issue of InSight.

I’m sure like many of you; I keep a collection of quotes near my desk for inspiration. I don’t know who said it, but I keep this one handy: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”

So go get it.

I’ll see you in Pittsburgh!

Until next time,

Kenyon Gleason

NASGW President