 | A Sign Of The Times: Do-It-Yourself Vandalism
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2011
We live in an age of really stupid crimes. Even worse, the criminals seem to be getting dumber by the day. I remember writing a story about a thief who had ripped off dozens of bulk vending racks... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| The Promise And The Peril
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2011
VT devoted plenty of coverage to the infamous "Alabama bingo brawl" and North Carolina's sweepstakes videogames. Where are these two roller coasters going in 2011? by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| A Cold Reading On An Industry In A Period Of Great Change
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 12, December 2010
Hard work adapting to the present weak economy will pay off for the survivors when conditions improve... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| The Way Forward
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 12, December 2010
The amusement industry is keeping up a good front. It talks gamely about grinding it out until the next economic recovery, technology or hit game comes along. Privately, there's plenty of gloom about... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The End Of A Myth
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 11, November 2010
The Great Recession may be over by the time you read this, or it may have turned into a double-dip downturn. Either way, America's Great Recession has killed a politically popular myth in the U.S. economy, and in coin-op... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Back To School For Bulk Vendors
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 11, November 2010
Bulk vending was never a business that required an MBA or a college degree. But times have changed... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Looking For Strategies In An Industry No Longer Idiot-Proof
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 10, October 2010
An industry veteran recently said to me: "bulk vending is no longer idiot-proof." He explained ways in which virtually anyone with a pulse and a little motivation could not only succeed... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Supreme Jeopardy
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 11, November 2010
This November, something crucially important will happen for the first time in the history of the U.S. amusement machine industry. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case that could give state and local governments unprecedented power to permit -- or wipe out -- commercial entertainment in countless forms and formats for generations to come... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| First Fall Without AMOA Expo
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 9, September 2010
Once or twice you've had the fleeting thought: "Hey, it's nearly September! I'd better get busy and make my hotel and plane reservations for this fall's AMOA show." Then you remember: "Oh, yes -- there won't be an AMOA... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The Wisdom Of Getting Smacked Upside The Head
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 9, September 2010
A science professor from my college days had the habit of stalking up and down rows of desks while he asked questions. He would ask a question while standing behind a student, and then deliver a glancing Three Stooges open-handed slap to the back of the head if the answer was incorrect... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Coping With Uncertainty
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 8, August 2010
This summer, financial and business experts latched onto a common mantra to explain why U.S. companies aren't hiring, aren't investing and aren't growing... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The Shirley Temple Effect
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 8, August 2010
A longtime industry professional recently reminded me that "Even when times are tough, people need entertainment..." by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Will We Ever Learn?
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 7, July 2010
Today's amusement trade is blithely, deliberately and needlessly risking one of its most profitable markets. That market is the crane sector...by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The Perils Of Downsizing Outweigh The Myths
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 6, June 2010
Companies engaged in downsizing strategies might enjoy some short-term benefits, but the long-term results can be disastrous... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Are Amusements Necessary?
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 5, May 2010
Now and then the amusement industry gets scolded for its supposed failings in a very public -- and unfair -- way. An example is illustrated in a recent opinion piece penned by Pulitzer Prize winner George F. Will... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Navigating The Complexity Of Change
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 5, May 2010
Spotting the subtle complexities of their business environments is second nature for many longtime bulk operators. But there are some operators who are shooting at ducks that are no longer standing still... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Hiring A Veteran Makes Good Business Sense
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 4, April 2010
Several months ago we posted a story online about the advisability of hiring military veterans. The response from those both inside and outside the industry was overwhelmingly positive. This is an issue that transcends personal politics... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| The Invisible Man
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 4, April 2010
The coin-op amusement industry’s recent progress in reestablishing communication with its paying customers is notable, but much more can be done to recognize them... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Who Needs Common Sense?
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 3, March 2010
In reviewing our editorials over the past year, it seems that none has gotten more response than the modest rant against what is usually called "common sense." Judging from some of the emails we've received, you'd think that we kicked their dogs or advocated a change to the metric system. With that in mind, I've decided to double down and revisit the topic... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| One Show At Last…
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 3, March 2010
After 20 years of everyone agreeing that the U.S. music and amusement industry had "too many shows." At last … after 20 years of well-intentioned talks between a long series of negotiating teams from the AMOA and the AMMA. At last … after 20 years of association boards that could not, or would not, agree on management, money or scheduling. At last … after 20 years of painful compromises and tentative proposals that never quite jelled into signed contracts... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Continuous Improvement
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 2, February 2010
One of the most revealing questions you can ask any operator is,"What's the most important thing that you have done lately to improve your business?" Over the years, this question has yielded some fascinating answers. Here are just a few of the better ones we've heard... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| When The Pressure Is On, Choking Is Not An Option
Issue: Vol. 50, No. 2, February 2010
A writer of popular nonfiction books recently gave an interview in which he described the difference between "panic" and "choking." Panic, he explained, was the amateur's response to being in over his head without the proper tools or skill set. Conversely, choking is the professional's temporary inability to access his or her expertise. Presented with both panic and choking, I think that choking is a far more interesting phenomenon... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| The Things We Can Change
Issue: Vol. 50, No.1, January 2010
While looking over 10 years’ worth of headlines for this issue’s "Decade in Review" report, I was reminded of the famous "Serenity Prayer," recently proved to have been originally authored in 1937 by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The prayer begins: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. The music and amusements industry is bedeviled with many situations that it cannot change... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Feed The Rat
Issue: Vol. 50, No.1, January 2010
The name Julian Vincent “Mo” Anthoine isn’t widely known today, but during the 1970s and ‘80s he was one of the best mountain climbers. When asked about his drive for adventure, he quipped that he had to “feed the rat.” That was his way of describing his hunger for challenges and adventure that pushed him to ever more challenging mountains and rock faces. The description stuck. What does this have to do with bulk vending? by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Mottos Are Not Enough When It Comes To Best Business Practices
Issue: Vol. 49, No.12, December 2009
Businesspeople, particularly owners of small businesses, are in a state of constant combat. They are fighting not only against competitors or regulations, but very often with themselves. The internal conflict is not a simple one: it’s a constant struggle between what they know versus what they believe. Though some folks have taken to using “know” and “believe” interchangeably, it is not a fine distinction. Confusing the two can... by Henry Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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