The View from 50,000 Feet

An effective manager will build an operating plan on the strategic initiatives of the organization. What good is direct-to-plate if the organization is moving to variable image processing or increasing Web-based communications with its customers?

As an administrator in higher education, I follow trends that affect the operations of my college. Things like changing student profiles, the learning and communications styles of the new generation of students, and the policy and regulatory environment will all affect the operations of the college and its in-plant. I expect my managers to follow trends in their areas of operation as well.