Articles

The Future is Ours to Shape

Categories: ISSA 100th Anniversary, ISSA Insights, Straight Talk!

Welcome to the centennial issue of ISSA Today magazine. While this is the last issue for 2023, it is also the beginning of a new era. The next issue in 2024 will be the first of many for the next 100 years of ISSA.

As ISSA celebrates its 100th year, you have undoubtedly enjoyed the many articles, videos, stories, experiences, and more that have honored our past and the people who have been part of this journey. Each issue of ISSA in 2023 has focused on a specific member class. This issue is expansive as we present to you the official ISSA timeline, share insight on the industry’s future, and top it all off with a special article featuring past ISSA presidents and what they have seen, experienced, and now predict for the future.

So, what is in store for the next 100 years?

We all know that innovation will be the catalyst for significant change in the industry. We know that sustainability is the core of future developments. We know we all must embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. And we need to learn what ESG stands for.

But, while we can’t control the future, we can certainly have a hand in molding it by drawing insights from our past and present history. Reflecting on past successes and failures helps us avoid repeating mistakes and capitalize on opportunities. Analyzing the present allows us to assess the current scene, foresee trends, and adapt accordingly.

One good indication that the future looks promising is something we all can see and value right now. It is all the great people around us in our industry. One such example is an interview I enjoyed with a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, Rehan Staton. You might wonder about the industry connection. There is one. And it isn’t about working in the industry as you might think, but rather how Staton values cleaning staff and what he did about it. It’s how “The Reciprocity Effect” was born.

Watch the complete interview below. See for yourself. It should give you hope that more people will be like Staton and value what we do. Not just now, but in the future.

About the Author.

Jeff Cross is the ISSA media director, with media brands that include ISSA Today, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, and Cleanfax. He can be reached at [email protected] or 740-973-4236.