Publishers Note

There is something about a crisp morning run that says to me “holy crap-it’s Fall”. Like everyone else, I feel that we did not get our full summer, with too much rain and cool temperatures, but in the end, it could always have been worse. So let’s look forward and move on.

If there is one thing I remember my dad always saying to me when I was young, it was “make sure you choose a career that you enjoy, because you should never wake up and not want to go to work”. There is no point spending 8-10 hours a day away from your family only to not enjoy going to ‘your job’. I have been lucky enough that for the most part, the jobs I have had, I have really enjoyed. I have not moved on because I disliked the job, it was more of a progression of working for different leadership styles, different types of companies and gaining experience. It was not that Sherwood Armbruster did not enjoy his career choices to date, he just felt that he needed to really be doing something that he felt was fulfilling and giving back.

I give Sherwood full credit for following his passion, and I am certain that there are people reading this who will think that you too have always wanted to work somewhere or do something different. Why not make the change? Usually for financial reasons, we cannot, but how about volunteering for an organization that is doing something that you would like to have as a job but can’t right now. How about joining a board or a committee to help out a fundraiser or an event. Anything that can fulfill your desire to be involved with something and fill that void that you might feel. You never know, it might just turn into your dream job!

I wrote last issue about the economy and how our province seems to be faring. One of the ways that I judge the economy is by having conversations with our advertisers. For the most part, these are locally owned companies that have people who love what they do and work hard to bring products and services here that consumers want. From big ticket items such as autos and homes to motorcycles, clothes, pens and watches- businesses here seem to be doing pretty well. I had a conversation recently with Jill, who owns Headingley Sports Shop. She completely sold out of her motorcycle allotment this season, and was already getting calls about the new snowmobiles coming out. Her comment to me was “People are always going to be careful about spending their hard earned dollars, but if you provide good value and great service, there is always going to be customers”. Great advice we can all pay attention to.

I know I have harped on this before, but it truly does make a difference to spend your dollars locally. These are the dollars that circulate in our own economy that we benefit from- not the online purchase from a catalog that goes to someone in Toronto or the US.

I will take this opportunity to say my Good-Bye to our Nov/Dec 2008 cover model- Premier Gary Doer. I have liked Mr. Doer for a long time, and had heard rumours of everything from the new leader of the Federal NDP party (but we know how much he likes to win!) to the CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. His posting to Washington as Canada’s Ambassador to the US is not only warranted, but I think one of the best decisions Harper has made as Prime Minister. Gary Doer has been great for our province and now the entire country will see what he can do. I believe that our relationship with the US will be better off because he is there. Now, after a four year post there Gary- please head back North and take a run at the top spot Federally. And don’t worry, Mr. Doer will be kept abreast of what is happening here in the province by reading his subscription to Winnipeg Men magazine (and our business magazine- Marketplace). He has always commented, whenever I would see him at a function, how much he enjoys the magazine and how he reads it cover to cover (including Winnipeg Women magazine). I have always really appreciated his comments and I know he is not just saying it to be polite. That is why he made such a difference here- he knows how to connect with everyone at every level.

Thanks for reading. Please make sure you also visit us online at www.winnipegmen.com. It is packed with great things and is linked to Manitoba’s only online broadcast station- www.youronlinechannel.com