Book Learning

In one week, I will be on my way to the Institute for Supply Management Conference in St. Louis. They always have some great speakers at their main events and usually I end up buying their books. I guess I have a hang up as I love hardback books that are personally autographed.

As a child, I was taught never to turn a page down in a book. Never, never write in a book. It is still hard for me after so many years to highlight in a book, even a textbook you have bought and are using for a class. I refuse to read even a paperback with the pages dog-eared. Did you know “dog-eared” is in the dictionary? It is an adjective and the definition is having worn and well-thumbed pages: having worn and well-thumbed pages that have been creased or folded over to mark the place reached in reading. I could not find any history on the origin of this. Do you all have any ideas?

I love the quote by Claus Moser, “Education cost money, but so does ignorance.” Many people in our society, once they graduate from high school or college just quit learning. They think “no more studying” and “I never have to read another book again!”

Learners read books. In my area Barnes and Noble is a big book store. I always have to check out the sale books. I frequent the half price book stores also. Another great opportunity to get books to read is your local library. No it is not just a place you take your kids too. Make use of it. Also try the Internet. Have you visited half.com?

Include a line in your budget for educational materials. A friend of mine listens to books on tape as he has a long commute to work and back each day. Mark a time in your busy calendar to read a little each day. Check with your Human Resource Department at work. Sometimes they offer financial assistance for continuing your education, seminars and conferences. Most professional organizations offer some attendance to these events in exchange for working. I always work at the seminars and conferences to help pay my way. Otherwise I would not get to go. It is a lot of fun. You get to work with a bunch of great people.

We must continue to upgrade or we will be considered obsolete or an old version, just like software: We need to upgrade from 1.0, to 2.0, to 3.0. Have you advanced any since you graduated? 

For more information see: International Supply Management Conference to convene in St. Louis