Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1083315
REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2019 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 37 how do those things work? I think that's what you have to do with people coming on board. Goldman: Over the years, we have always joked that you get sucked into this industry and can't get out again. Lambert: That's true; you do get hooked. One of the expressions we used to use was, "Be careful who you tee off because you're going to be working for them." It's a small fraternity and sorority of people who are in this busi- ness. The more contacts you make, the better off you're going to be, but we're all in the same business. What the product does is up to you, but the way you put it together, that involves a fraternity or sorority of people that just go at it. That's how you have to look at IPC. Goldman: That's right, we are a close-knit indus- try. How many friendships have you developed that go beyond a business association? Lambert: Absolutely. You see these people all the time. The meetings are twice a year plus the interim meetings. You spend a lot of time with them—sometimes days at a time—and really get to know them. Real friendships develop. And now, you get onto social media and are conversing with them about family, kids, and so on. You develop friends all over the place. Goldman: Do you have any other thoughts or bits of wisdom you would like to pass along to our readers? Lambert: I think one that intrigues me is the direction and growth of IPC. Sometimes, we feel they're going in directions that are leav- ing us behind because of all that is going on as they're trying to globalize. In the process of globalization, so many things are changing. Change is an interesting word; you have to be able to take the change that comes, adapt to it, and make it work because if you don't, you're stuck. You won't go anywhere. There have certainly been a lot of changes in IPC in the last 10 years. It's just amazing the things that the organization has done, where they're going, and their introduction of new programs. How do we implement those pro- grams and get the people involved? Goldman: It's hard to keep up. Lambert: Exactly. We need to be able to take change, understand it, and sometimes it's the explanation of the change that's a big deal. Who's in charge of this, and can they answer all the questions? For me, the changes that have happened over the past few years have been good, but they've been painful in certain cases. How do you work through the pain to make it a lasting effect? You must get used to changes in people, the industry, funding, etc. If you're not used to that, you're not going to want to participate, and that's what happens with the new people. They're thinking, "Are you guys crazy? We spent 45 minutes discuss- ing whether we should use the word 'shall or 'should.'" I think change is the big deal. Goldman: But it's all good. Thanks so much for your time, Leo, and congratulations again. Lambert: Thank you. S&T