A look in.

It's time to give CW a fresh look. We go through this every few years in an attempt to keep up with current trends, and to continue giving our readers the best possible publication our budget and time allow -- and that they expect. So if things look a little different with this issue, it's because we've sent the magazine south for a makeover. Taking on this task is Cliff and Associates in South Pasadena (about 500 miles from world headquarters in San Francisco) with designer Rex Pieper leading the process. So far I think they're doing a great job, and hope you'll agree -- we'd like to know what you think.

It's sort of like sending your children to camp, though. A relief to get them out of your hair for a while, but on the other hand, wondering how they're coping without your constant supervision, and missing the day-to-day interaction. Since we've always had designers working either in-house or within close proximity, this is a first. At this end, we still manage the words, but the layout and graphics are the designers' responsibility. We pull it all together, then the whole package goes to Denver to be printed. We have technology to thank for this ease in communicating across the miles; files are sent in real-time speed, corrected, revised, tweaked the same as before -- only online. It takes some adjusting, but so far it seems to work.

Speaking of technology, read the article on page 34 to see how IABC is taking even more adventurous steps in harnessing technology to deliver information more quickly and more thoroughly than ever before. TalkingBusinessNow.com is the new online initiative that will launch -- probably as you read this -- in October. Please take a look at the prototype, and give us your feedback.

Gloria Gordon