The political turmoil we are currently seeing is not isolated to politics alone. While two political groups attempt to steal an election from each other, these same two groups take claim for circumstances they had no part of.
For example, the current administration has for several years attempted to take credit for the perceived economic success. We all know that the economy follows its own course and runs in cycles. The only thing that affects it is whether the Federal Reserve decides to tweak its policies, and activity immediately follows.
I apply this analogy to business as well. Each week, Plastics News and other industry publications report on legal fights over patent infringements, stolen secrets and other similar events.
I have worked in our beloved industry for over 18 years and have seen firsthand copycat companies pop up, duplicating efforts and products of others. These same companies, at times, leapfrog over others because of efforts not their own.
I bring this up to make a point: Innovation as we know it is seriously lacking. The philosophy of some is, if we can´t do it ourselves, let´s copy it, tweak it a bit, and sell it as original. In an industry that has outpaced any other segment of the American economy in terms of growth, I find this very disappointing.
I have worked hard in my years in plastics but am tiring quickly of this type of activity. I am sure I am not alone in this regard. I am tired of getting things done, only to watch someone ride my coattails to their own level of success. Sound familiar to some of you?
If this does not change, our industry will become like the rest of the economy: a false picture painted to make things better than they really are, with everything rotten underneath the skin.
Pat Fox
IMS Co.
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
