The Yearbook World of Scott Geesey
from Jostens Yearbooks of central/northern Pennsylvania
ARCHIVE - DECEMBER 20, 2009
SCOTT'S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WISH LIST: What Made the Cut This Year?
Hello! Well, we made it to the holiday break! I'm looking forward to some downtime and I know you are too. The year 2009 has certainly had its twists and turns, both locally and outside our neighborhood. Here's a wish for you and yours to have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and thanks again for your partnership and confidence in Jostens and me. Wow, here comes 2010 already - didn't we just hit 2000 a couple of years ago?
I heard from a few people who plan to do some yearbook work over the break and heck, I plan to do some as well. I'll be checking email and messages every day so don't be shy, let me know if you have questions or need assistance.
And check out my video offering this week in the left column. It's a cool and thought provoking nine minute video on why your yearbook effort is so important, some great stories from several Jostens folks around the country. Check it out...
Here's a mixed bag of wishes for our new year 2010...
This is my annual tradition, taking the two weeks over the holiday break to share some wishes of mine for the coming year. No, they're not all about yearbook. How many do you share?
A RESTFUL CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY: Yes, we'll have company for Christmas this year like many of you. Many folks have asked me, "what do you want for Christmas?" My answer - sleep! Seriously! I've had a busy December and I'm looking forward to some rest and at least a little laziness.
PEACE ON EARTH: Alas, this one always makes the list but never comes to fruition. Still, let's keep trying...
A PENN STATE WIN IN THE CAPITAL ONE BOWL: Many of you know that I'm a PSU fan so go Nittany Lions, beat LSU on New Year's Day!
MORE PIAA STATE TITLES FOR MY REGION: Last year the Bishop Guilfoyle girls won the state single-A basketball title. Here's hoping for more championships from central and northern PA this season. The Jostens State College plant is continuing their tradition of awarding a free four-page full color tip-in to any yearbook staff that has a team winning a PIAA team title, celebrating the accomplishment. I LOVE those!!
AN UPTURN IN NEW JOBS FOR THE AREA: No doubt, it's been tough in some areas of the state, with unemployement rates as high as 17 percent in some counties. Here's hoping we've already hit the bottom and now we're on the way up for the local economy.
A NEW CAR?: Some of you have followed the saga of my 1998 Honda CR-V which just crossed the 338,000 mile mark. Yes, you read that right. A lot of those miles are visiting you and other folks in the neighborhood. But I'm wondering if the end is finally near - the transmission is starting to act funny, she has some growing rust spots, even the tires went strangely low on one day recently. Is it time to retire my battlewagon for something newer (a used car, like many of you I can't really afford a NEW car right now)? Stay tuned...
CATCH UP ON MY READING: I love reading, maybe that's why I work with yearbooks! My home office has two shelves of books, I'm overflowing. Going into the break I have six books waiting to read, some brand new, some several years old. I was at a discount store the other day and saw a title that interested me, so I grabbed it. I won't get all six books done over the break but reading a good book, curled up on the sofa, is one of my favorite things to do.
MORE ADVANCED GADGETS: We all have some kinds of gadgets by now - cell phone, iPod, netbook, etc. Know what I'd like? A smartphone with a speakerphone, one that accepts voice commands, one that will read my email to me as I'm driving so I can keep up to date with messages without having to pull over all the time while keeping both hands on the wheel. Is there such a smartphone? If so please drop me a line, I'd like to check it out...
EVERYONE HITTING THEIR PAGE DEADLINES: OK, here's a yearbook wish for you and everyone to hit all of your page deadlines this school year. I believe our Jostens State College plant is the best in the entire industry and we NEVER miss a ship date for folks to hit their deadlines. In many cases books are ready one to two weeks EARLY, which many of my partner schools already know from experience.
TRYING SOME INNOVATIVE SALES IDEAS: We're already using some interesting new ideas and strategies at some schools around the region for selling both books and ads, with more to come. My wish is for everyone to be open to try some new ideas in these challenging economic times.
AN EVEN BETTER YEARBOOK AVENUE: I can't wait to find out what cool new tools and services will be available in next year's YBA. I'll find out those new tools soon and for my partner advisers, I'll be sharing those with you in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I hope you and your familty have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010. See you next year!!