FROM THE PRESIDENT – Richard Sampson
You have a role to play in our new publication plan
Welcome to January 2023, and welcome to the future of Focus. Starting with this issue you’re now reading, LTEN Focus on Training magazine is now a monthly publication for the first time in its history.
I’m not telling you that to blow our own horn; I’m saying it with sincere appreciation. The growth of LTEN – membership is at an all-time high – has allowed us to produce more resources and materials to assist our members, including expanding our production schedule.
But hopefully, this is all old news for you, since I announced it in our final 2022 issue. If you happened to see that announcement, you just might recall where I hinted that you, as an LTEN member, will have a role to play in our new publications. Now I get to tell you about that.
As you flip through these pages of this first monthly issue, you’ll see a lot that looks the same. The general flow of the magazine is the same and the fonts and style hopefully look familiar.
What’s different is subtle, but important.
Our LTEN team worked closely with the LTEN Editorial Advisory Board to create a new Focus publication plan that stresses what’s important to you. We’re categorizing feature articles, for instance, to hopefully immediately connect you with the content and to make it easier for you to access the resources you need most (or most in this moment).
You’ll also see as these monthly issues unfold a spotlight on different career levels. Whether you’re a seasoned life sciences training veteran or someone completely new to the field – or somewhere in between – we hope to bring you resources to continue your professional development, even as you develop others.
Beyond all that, you’ll see some new special-interest areas covered in these monthly issues. Expect a lot of content around the role of field trainers, for instance. Same for a brighter light being shined on the leadership realm. Expect to see more of these as things progress.
I keep alluding to a role you have to play in all this, and I don’t just mean as a reader. Of course I hope you’ll continue to read Focus for your own advancement, and I hope you’ll generously share the content with your colleagues.
But I’m also hoping you’ll share more than that. Your sharing is a big part of our plan.
First, of course, I urge you to share articles with us. Share your thoughts on life sciences training, share best practices you’ve discovered, share what you’re working on. Articles don’t have to be long to be helpful, and if your topic is related to our work, it’s going to be of interest and valuable to other LTEN members like you.
That part isn’t new … Focus has always been built on knowledge sharing from LTEN members. Keep it up, please.
What is new is the advice column debuting in this issue; you’ll find it just a few pages from here. With this column, we’re inviting – even encouraging – LTEN members to tap into the resources of our network. Do you have a question that could use answering? Is there a question you field often from your team? Do you maybe just have an interest in sharing some general training-related advice?
If so, send in your questions and comments to editor@L-TEN.org. We’ll turn to training leaders and industry experts, and share their thoughts with you. It’s easy access for you, and questions can be submitted anonymously. I hope you’ll take part in helping your fellow LTEN members.
It’s always exciting to start the year off with a change and a plan, and I hope the changes we’re bringing to our LTEN publications will make your involvement easier and more productive. As always, feel free to share your thoughts with me as well.
Have a safe, happy and productive 2023 everyone!
Richard Sampson is president of the LTEN Board of Directors and vice president, global training & development, global commercial operations, for Cepheid. Email Richard at richard.sampson@cepheid.com.
