Apple has come out with a new MacBook. If you are at all familiar with the computer company at all, you know there is quite the buzz surrounding the design and functionality of any new product.

The new MacBook is constructed of a significant amount of aluminum and glass. In the video feature Apple design engineers they go into detail concerning the machining process that was needed to manufacturing the new casing for the MacBook – and by detail I mean the fact that they talked about it at all and showed video of the process is noteworthy.

Take the time to check out the video and see if there is more to be explored with down this avenue. Also consider the impact on Apple’s carbon foot print, and how the priority of reducing their environmental impact alters their business model.

The following is the outline of Bob Simpson's PowerPoint presentation made at AMT's annual meeting in Austin, TX this week.

The Way Forward
Member Engagement Is . . .
- Created by addressing the needs, values and expectations of AMT members

Helping Members Succeed
- Calibrate AMT products & services
- Increase member engagement
• AMT members are companies
• Companies are people
• Engaging companies requires engaging people

Increase Member Engagement
- Our objectives will be:
• Improving communication of key services
• Increasing relevance of AMT to individual members
• Heightening members’ sense of ownership in AMT

Forums of Engagement
- AMT Company Visits
- Communications
- Product Groups
- Committees

AMT Company Visits
- AMT Company Visits
- AMT staff visit member companies
- Directly engage individual members
- First-hand observation and knowledge
- Better understanding of members’ business and needs today and tomorrow

Communications
- Customize communications
- Redirect communications from “company” to “individual”
- Recognize small to large company differences
- Update the AMT website

The Way Forward --

Product Groups
- Member volunteers from companies in specific product areas
- Work together on wide range of products and services to benefit AMT members
- Collaborate with other associations

Product Groups
- Deliver products & services that provide individuals what they need to be successful
- Individuals develop professionally
- Best practices
- Networking
- Companies benefit from their professional growth

Committees
- Some issues transcend a product group
- Use AMT as the forum for product groups to convene and discuss issues of concern
- Jointly tackle broader issues to benefit all members
- Global Forecasting & Marketing Conference
- Economic & Statistics Committee
- Global Marketing & Sales Committee

Helping Members Succeed
- Invest in AMT’s “social capital”
- AMT to member
- Member to member
- Association to association

AMT's Annual Meeting marks a change in one of my bosses every year. The passing of the gavel to a new Chairman is an annual event, but this year, AMT's staff position of President is changing as well. This means I have two new bosses, effective today.

The new AMT Board Chairman is Ron Schildge, who is President of Eitel Presses Inc. Ron and I share the experience of being among the few senior executives to stay in Beijing during the SARS crisis a few years ago. Compared to that, Chairman of AMT ought to be a lark.

My day to day boss for the last five years has been John Byrd, whose retirement is effective today. AMT's new President, my new boss, is Bob Simpson. Check out his bio on the AMT site. In his first speech to the members here in Texas, Bob emphasized his vision that the way forward for AMT is "Better Together", highlighting increased member participation. An exclusive link to the presentation will be posted later today.

Two new bosses in the space of 15 minutes----and you think you're having an interesting day!

One of the great things about my job is that I get to meet a lot of really smart people. This morning I had breakfast with an International Economist. His economic outlook had me wishing I'd skipped breakfast, but that's another story. Sometimes wisdom doesn't require a lot of words.

While standing outside the 1st tee on Saturday afternoon here in Hot Austin Texas one of my playing partners was going on and on about how hot this past summer was. After a lengthy dissertation about using cold towels and how to combat the heat while playing golf, I had heard enough and turned to the starter, obviously a real Texan. I asked him "So how do you local folks play golf in this kind of heat?"
He said: "We don't"
Smartest guy I met all day.

It seems like my month in Chicago for the IMTS Show just ended -- because it did -- but here I am on the road again..in Willie Nelson territory no less. I'm in Austin, Texas for the AMT-NTMA Annual Meeting. It's at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. I wondered about the name. Not anymore. This hotel is REALLY remote. I can see how Pines would get lost, I've been lost twice myself in less than two days. The wildlife is prevalent here, too.

The Count so far: Texas Longhorns (many, many), an owl, a golden squirrel -quick little bugger, he nearly got hit with a golf ball but scrambled out of the way, snake (dead), bobcat (also dead, Texas needs more wildlife crossing signs), armadillo, and evidence of coyotes and wild hogs.

More from Texas as the meeting gets going.