The World is Flat

I am about 1/3 of the way through a really important book. Thomas Freidman’s The World is Flat. This is a powerful look at the world in which we are living and how it is changing in amazing ways and at amazing speeds. If you want to get ahead, or even hope to keep up, keep your job or keep yourself relevant in the coming years this is a must read. My copy will not be back to the library for a while. You had better get your own.

Time to compete!

It is not too early to be planning for your entry into the Bronner Bros. show barbering competition coming up on Feb. 18, 2007 in Atlanta, GA. The World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta plays host to this big hair show event and the competition is a must see part of the weekend. Andis has been the sponsor of this event for several years. It is a great event for all who participate. Each contestant receives FREE Andis tools and equipment to use to compete and keep afterward. Bronner Bros. awards cash prizes to the top 3 place winners. It is a great place to showcase you talent and take your clipper cutting career to the next level. See you in Atlanta!

Ruby

A gem of a tool is now shipping out to a beauty supply distributor near you. The inferno red, Ruby, cord/cordless clipper trimmer is now available. This is Lola’s more sophisticated sister. Ruby features the same high performance motor and stainless steel precision blade of Lola with the addition of cord/cordless technology. Ruby offers a powerful combination that will release your creative freedom. Get yours today!

Andis Tattoos

I see them all the time. This one was offered up at a barber school last week in Chicago. I have NEVER seen a Wahl tattoo or an Oster tattoo… kinda says something, doesn’t it!

Blogs with photos

I have finally learned how to post images to my blog entries! This is a big step ahead for me and my command of technology. Be on the lookout for entries with accompanying photos…like this one.

Ask me!

I have a new column appearing in January in OTC Beauty Magazine. It will be a clipper, trimmer and other electrical tools Q&A column. If you have a question... I will need to have answers. Get those questions in to me through the Andis web site here or through OTC Beauty Magazine at suggestions@otcbeautymagazine.com I'm ready and waiting.

The Outlook

Heard an interesting tidbit on the ABC evening news the other day…fastest growing segment of the job market in the U.S. is in service sector jobs…jobs like hairstylist…can’t outsource ‘em to Pakistan…can’t do it with a computer…(except maybe to book the appointment)…this is good news for industry suppliers, for students in the schools and for our entire industry…everyone wants to be on a winning team…the professional beauty industry is winning big now and in the years to come…be sure to get your share.

Salon (truly ) International 2006

It is a hair show. That is both the good and the bad news… On the bad side it is quite surprising to travel to the other side of the world to find that stylists are stylists, hair is hair and not much is different. On the good side… there is not much different… our talents are universal. Our skills are valued and in-demand throughout the planet. The language of cutting hair has no one language.

Stylists from Spain, Rumania, Russia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and many other nations watched me share clipper cutting. They smiled and nodded just the same way that audiences in America do as I share my tips and tricks. They understood me completely even though some of them did not understand a single word. I guess the lesson here is… “Just shut up and cut”. Not a bad message… also, not the first time it has been sent to me !