You can go back to school again: by applying oneself you come away with information about new technology and product trends that can change your business

DSN Retailing Today, Jan 10, 2005 by Laura Heller

One recent Friday morning, I got up and went back to my high school. No, it wasn't a re-occurring nightmare (although I still get those from time to time) but an opportunity to tour my alma mater with a fellow alumnus and recipient of the Lane Technical High School Alumni Association's Lifetime Achievement Award--Leonard Roberts, chairman and ceo of Radio Shack, class of 1967.

Sitting there, in the principal's office (gulp) with Len, his wife, brother and high school friend, it struck me that we do indeed learn valuable lessons during those days, geometry and drafting aside. More important than equations, we learned how to capitalize on our innate intelligence, our drive to succeed--no matter how humble our beginnings--and the great gift to continue in the quest for knowledge and growth.

This week, while attending a different school reunion of sorts, we can once again take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to learn, experience and grow. The International Consumer Electronics Show provides such a forum, replacing the hallowed halls of high school with acres of product showcases, substituting classrooms with conference sessions while still offering a chance to chat in the cafeteria.

Like high school, CES is what you make of it. It's more than trudging through the halls waiting for the bell to ring. Sure, you feel a little beat up at the end of a long day, but by applying oneself you come away with information about new technology and product trends that can change your business and the daily lives of the consumers who shop your stores. There's fun to be had, ample opportunities to reminisce with old friends, contacts and business associates, and to make new ones. Ideas are exchanged on how to better merchandise and promote new trends, the growth of private-label programs in CE and critical information on direct sourcing and how that will forever change our industry.

The stories we all tell from one CES to another have a lot more in common with high school than we might care to admit. Petty rivalries (who asked whom to the prom, DVD versus Divx) fade with time, and even retail competition means less as everyone looks to improve and expand their business. All we really re member are the success stories, landmark moments and new products that materialized into strong trends and profit centers for our industry.

Spotting those trends and capitalizing on them can be a lot like identifying and befriending one of the popular kids in class. But we're not teenagers, no matter how good the Monster Cable party is, and everything we participate in at CES has lasting implications. Remember to apply yourself and

learn something. We can reminisce about it next year.