MI Pro

What struck me was the way he spoke about other luthiers, famous and otherwise. His eyes gleamed as he praised other makers and their instruments, of how he learns from almost all his competitors, of how everyone benefits from sharing ideas. How often is the opposite true?

It was apt, as many of the features and profiles in this issue confront the issue and manner of communication. Brendan Murray of The Trust Network waxed lyrical with me about how valuable his education in ‘Norn Ireland’ was, emphasising good speech and the Three Rs now that he spends his time forging relationships across borders – often with non-native speakers.
James Young of Sonic Distribution speaks on page 48 with a candour and honesty that was both refreshing and surprising.

Much of it was not particularly relevant to the article per se, but it added to my understanding of his business and the trade generally.

Likewise, Trevor Wilkinson (page 24), unfettered by political constraints, gave me similar gems – and, perhaps most significant of all, Robert Wilson, newly appointed to the NAMM executive board, spoke broadly on the need for uncluttered and clear messages that can separate the wheat from the chaff. It has been an educational month.

As the global market consolidates and more and more companies become multi-national, one can only hope (sometimes, it seems, beyond hope) that such openness can remain within the MI world, although the oh so frequently bland announcements that find their way to the MI Pro offices, offering no recourse to investigation or questioning, might stifle that hope.

Armed with the knowledge that the good old fashioned honesty that has fed this issue has still resulted in positive, helpful material, I hope that those more paranoid reading this will take heart that no-one is trying to pull one over on them – merely trying to inform the MI retail community.