My first few weeks at R&R have consisted of lots of introductory phone calls and emails, a multitude of questions for anyone and everyone who will listen, and absorbing as much as possible about the magazine and industry as a whole. One of my new coworkers likened the R&R team to an orchestra. To be successful, we all have to know what instrument we play, and how to be in harmony with each other. Any sharps or flats could mean there's a problem, so I've been working hard to stay in tune and learn my instrument! 

What a better way to dive right in than to have the opportunity to go to RIA! It was my first time in Las Vegas, so when the time change caught up with me a bit the first night, the Starbucks in the lobby was a God-send! I sat in on several of the breakout sessions, and like most got a few chuckles out of Thursday morning's keynote speaker, Donald Cooper. Much like the orchestra theory, he said business leadership involves getting everyone "singing from the same hymn sheet."

Cooper lives under the idea that "everyone is either a promise-keeper or a promise-maker." So, take a moment to ask yourself Cooper's three great vision questions:

1. What do you want your life to look like in 3, 5 or 10 years?

2. What will your industry and your market look like in 3, 5 or 10 years?

3. Why are you located where you are, doing what you do...the way you do it?

Does your answer to those questions have more to do with history, or more to do with today's realities and future opportunities? Once you figure that out, you can create a plan or vision for your business to get from "here" to "there."

So, where do you want your business to be in three, five or 10 years? Cooper says you need to take that answer, create a vision, and commit!

My vision in three years? To see you at a trade show or event, know you by name, and for you to have a recent article in R&R that was really insightful for you.