November 2018

Step Up for ICES

“For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” ― T.S. Eliot

Embracing the unknown and tackling something new can be very daunting. For some, change is exciting, but for others, it can be extremely unsettling, and many may have a hard time adapting to new situations. ICES is going through change. We are mastering change through constantly: looking outward at the changes in the competitive landscape; looking inward at how we are set up to adapt and create new value in this changing landscape; and looking forward to find long-term opportunities for creating lasting value through change.

It’s time for ICES to Step Up!

Several times in probably countless number of occasions, we have either heard or told to step up. Well, to step up simply means “to be better.” The meaning was so easy that we also easily forgot to do it. We became content, complacent. We stopped trying.

ICES must not be content to be. We must try harder. Competing entities are catching up and new players are coming to challenge every move and strategy that we make.  We are trying to revive the old times by jumping in on the use of new technology. ICES is an excellent organization. While excellence starts from being good, it is important to understand the deeper meaning of stepping up before the world seems to step up. ICES can’t afford to be left behind.

Stepping up means leaving your excellent performances behind. It means reconfiguring what we do so it can catch up with the demand of time. It means leaving our comfortable environment to navigate a newer way we do our business and reach out to a new generation of Sugar Artists. It means growing up, learning from past experiences, gathering more tools, sharpening our minds, developing our talents, adding more skills, meeting new people, expanding our level of influence, and much more. It seems easy but nothing can be more difficult than doing what appears to be easy.

If you’re already satisfied in your position, probably there’s no reason for you to work harder anymore. But ICES is losing ground. We need to Step Up to regain our prominence at the top of the Sugar Art world.

The truth is, we all need to find that compelling reason to change for the better. Do we want ICES to continue to be here for future generations? Do we aspire to challenge ourselves to Step Up to make sure ICES remains relevant? Are we willing to endure the pain that change requires us to bear?

I’d like to believe that membership in ICES isn’t just about what we get. It’s also about what we give. In essence every time you are asked to help, we become a living example of the Caring and Sharing principles that are the foundation of ICES.

What will differentiate ICES from others in the next five years are the choices that we make today. There are only two choices: Step up or stay put (thus be left behind). Let’s choose to Step UP!

As you read through the pages of this newsletter, I am sure you will find many opportunities to Step Up. I hope you say “Yes” to the challenge.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to email me at president@ICES.org.

Until next month….

Suzy Zimmermann
President
International Cake Exploration Societe’