November / December 2024 Edition of MBC Today

  

The November / December 2024 edition of MBC Today (Volume 26 Issue 6) just dropped. As it's the end-of-year edition, per tradition the digital version is unlocked for anyone to read and the print version is sent industry-wide, rather than just to AMBC Members and AMBC Trusted Suppliers. Check it out at https://lp841d.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MBC-Today-Volume-26-Issue-6.pdf

Thank you to all who contributed to this issue of the retail print, mailbox, packing, shipping, and business center industry's leading publication, keeping both independent and franchise stores across the country up to date, in the loop, and networked together. It's a privilege to produce and edit this publication, but it's because of your hard work that it has such rich content.

I'll share my Letter From the Editor below. Enjoy!

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Dear Readers,

Like many of you, I was saddened by the news of Theresa Whitley Starr's recent passing. She was a fixture at industry events for many, many years, and someone whom I considered a good buddy. As a ShipRite user for most of my career, I interacted with her quite a bit and she was always so warm and caring, giving me a big hug every time I saw her at a conference or training session. She truly will be missed.

It's relationships like those that Theresa had with so many of us in our industry that makes this network we have so special. In many ways, we're a big extended family with all of the quirks that come along with a family: camaraderie, common bonds, maybe an eye roll now and then, occasional disagreements, inside jokes, similar interests, similar struggles, and, above all, a whole lot of love. It's a true privilege to be part of.

As this is the November / December edition of MBC Today, the digital version is fully unlocked for anyone to read on ambc4me.org and the printed version gets sent out industry-wide, rather than just to AMBC Members as is the case with the other five issues of the year. To all of you who only read this magazine once per year as a result, and to those of you who may be reading it for the first time, welcome! Please consider all of the other benefits AMBC has to offer (ambc4me.org/benefits) and please at least take advantage of the no-commitment $5 first month membership offer (ambc4me.org/join-today). I may be biased as this publication's editor and producer, but when you do your initial membership trial, be sure to take advantage of the unlocked archives of past issues of MBC Today in the members only section of the website and dig into decades of past issues of this industry-leading publication and all of the richness each edition holds.

I know many of you are still abuzz about AMBC-U, the online and on-demand training platform that is bringing not only AMBC's certified courses in packing, shipping, and CMRA to people on their own schedule, but also now has incredible streaming seminars in printing, guest services, and more. It continues to grow and is something I am so proud to see being successful. I had the privilege on working on the concept many years ago when I was AMBC Board Chair and to see that vision a reality as a result of so many incredibly hard-working board and staff members is uplifting. If you haven't delved into AMBC-U yet, I hope you'll soon discover the incredible wealth of training, certifications, and knowledge available at your fingertips. Check it out: ambc4me.org/ambc-u.

Here's to a record-breaking December for each and every one of you. Stay hydrated, take your vitamins, and remember that a smile will produce better results than almost any other tool in your toolbox.

With gratitude and care,

Marty Johnson (he/him)

Columnist | Ask Uncle Marty™
Editor & Producer | MBC Today
Founder | Uncle Marty's Shipping Office
Communication & Vision Coach | AYM High Consultants
Co-Host | To-Be-Announced Podcast Launching Soon(ish)
askunclemarty.com · @askunclemarty · #AskUncleMarty