When I wrote this column last month, we were on the cusp of the US presidential election. The outcome was not known, and everyone was holding their breath. Now we know the answer and we think we know some of the outcomes this answer may bring us, but as usual, nothing is certain.

Is this any different than any other time in this industry? After nearly fifty-five years, I have to say no.

Skilled managers must deal with the conditions the world throws at us, be they political, weather, economic or something else. I always look back to the time I was sitting in the company's board room and the hapless manager from another division was making excuses about not meeting his budget. The CEO's retort was, "I didn't hire you to make the numbers under certain circumstances, I hired you to make the numbers regardless of the circumstances."

There is a lesson here for all of us and sometimes conditions are so bad the numbers cannot be salvaged. Nevertheless, we must always try.

As we go into 2025, best wishes and may you have a good year.

Jim Thompson is CEO of Paperitalo Publications.