I can’t believe I’ve been doing this since 1986. What, who am I kidding? I believe it.
I started in this industry with a publication called Office Systems 86 in February of that year as associated editor for a two-year old trade magazine targeting decision makers in small and medium sized offices. Two years later they launched Office Dealer 88, a magazine for the office equipment, office products, and office furniture dealer community. They eventually dropped the year from the name of the magazines after 1999 and by that time stopped targeting office furniture dealers.
My goal back in 1986 was to work there for one year and then find a job in the entertainment field, writing for a publication similar to the cable television magazine I wrote for before joining Office Systems 86. That option never came to pass. Time flew and I eventually found myself more deeply immersed in this industry than I initially had planned. It’s now been 28 years. How about that? Those magazines I used to work for may be gone, but I’m still here, alive and kicking.
Looking back over the years there’s been many significant events that have helped shape this industry, making it what it is today while also shaping its future. Over the next few weeks we’re going to look back at this industry and identify the 25 most significant trends of the past 25 years.
What you’ll see are some obvious trends, some that you may have forgotten about, and some that are just bubbling to the surface now, but will have a significant impact on the office imaging industry going forward. It ought to make for a quick fun, nostalgic read.
Thanks for reading.
