Prepared for Success

It’s late January here in northern New Jersey. From Boston to Cape May, everyone is bracing for “the monster storm of 2015.” I’m having flashbacks to the winter of 2010 and 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, weather events similarly filled with drama, uncertainty, and hype—some real, some overblown. But we survived that and we will, I’m fairly certain, survive this. Which brings me to this month’s note.

Written byPamela Ahlberg

| 2 min read

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Running a laboratory has, by all accounts, become a much more challenging proposition over the past decade. Notwithstanding the science, ever-greater demands and skills required for business and operational success have expanded the job description for most laboratory managers. But, similar to the preparations required for surviving difficult weather events, running a lab requires staying abreast of changes, anticipating unforeseen occurrences, and adopting a proactive rather than wait-and-see attitude.

This issue of Lab Manager, with its new cover design and layout, aligns our efforts with yours. We recognize your business challenges and address them with more business and leadership articles. We recognize your need for timely information concerning scientific tools and techniques and address that with greater and more in-depth technology feature articles. And, as you can see in this premier issue, we organize that information into three separate sections— analytical, life science, and general lab—making it easier to find what matters most to you. Similar to what is required of today’s lab managers—as well as those waiting out “the monster storm”— taking proactive steps to prepare for what’s ahead is key to surviving. Lab Manager remains a committed ally in that effort.

This month’s articles range from the very troubling and headline- grabbing topic of hacking, to the analytical challenges surrounding food fraud, to the packaging, safety, and operational considerations involved in transporting samples. Technology articles include those focusing on laboratory rocker shakers, particle sizing equipment, refractometers, and sample preparation. In addition, we preview the technologies to be presented at Pittcon 2015 in New Orleans next month.

From the entire Lab Manager team, we hope you find the changes we’ve made to the magazine beneficial, the information we provide valuable, and that in 2015 we can continue to be a trusted partner in not only your survival, but your success.

Happy New Year.

Best,