Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and welcome to a very special double issue of Business & Industry Connection (BIC).  

As I sit to consider the year that was 2007, I note that while we are setting records on several of our measurables, we are still very busy trying to close on a strong note.   Writing this missive, there are still six weeks in 2007, and it is our busiest time of the year. If we were to coast to the finish, strong gains would certainly be negated. Like the environment that many of you work in, the day-to-day business seems unrelenting at times. In any given day, there are meetings to schedule, planes to catch, conferences to attend, clients to visit, calls to make, an article to write, proofreading on deadline, photos to ID, etc. Fortunately we have the best staff we have ever had at BIC, and the teamwork we have goes a tremendous way toward making the work smoother and more enjoyable.  

I typically enjoy the busyness quite a bit, as I am a left-brain thinker. While it serves me well as COO of BIC Alliance, I will confess that my lean toward left-brain thinking can be a challenge as well.    

For those of you not familiar, the right-brain vs. left-brain theory is one describing the structure and functions of the mind. It suggests that the two different sides of the brain control two different “modes” of thinking. It also suggests that each of us prefers one “mode” over the other. Left-brainers tend to think in ways that are sequential, logical and analytical. They are typically objective and like to break things down and look at the parts of problems. Right-brainers, on the other hand, are typically more random and intuitive. Their thinking is more holistic, creative and synthesizing.    

In his book, “Anatomy of an Entrepreneur,” John Jacobs opines that the strong majority of entrepreneurs are right-brain dominant, and he discusses how these traits are mandatory to the strategic start-up and long-term success of any organization.   

Working with my partner, Earl, for the past nine years has taught me more about the entrepreneurial mind than any number of graduate courses might. The difference in our thought processes is striking at times. Our mission at BIC Alliance is to connect people in business and industry for the betterment of all. I like to tell folks that I am usually engrossed in this mission, fighting the challenge immediately before me and sensing the urgency of the matter, whereas Earl has an ability to stand on a ladder in the middle of battle and survey the distances, evaluating the bigger landscape for opportunity to further our mission.  

To reach the full potential of your individual success, one must develop a full set of skills to become a “whole-brainer.” We all like to practice skills at which we are adept; it makes us feel competent. Often, we loathe practicing our weaker disciplines. Some of the business tools that lend themselves to right-brain thinking include brainstorming, setting goals and planning.        

Recognize that while it may feel unnatural to use tools that do not play to your strength, having the full set of skills will only increase your success, be it on the job or off. To use a sports analogy, think of it as practicing to be a switch hitter in baseball, or practicing left- and right-handed jump shots in basketball. With practice, you will be able to use the most effective action based upon the situation at hand. The end of the year is a great season to set aside some time for practicing your right-brained skills, brainstorming, goal setting and planning so that you may better achieve your personal and professional missions.   

Even if they don’t request it, I advise you to share your business goals at least with your boss, perhaps even a confidante or other mentor, and share your personal goals and plans with your spouse, or perhaps a parent or sibling. Plans fail for a lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.

At BIC Alliance, we have been engaged in the planning and goal-setting process every year since our inception. This has resulted in steady growth. As the result of our past year or more of preplanning, we have some exciting things on the horizon for 2008. First, our Houston staff will move into a new, larger facility that is currently under construction and will be completed in early 2008. Next, we have several Ind-Viro Search (IVS) acquisitions that will close, making 2008 our biggest year yet in IVS investment banking services. Finally, we will celebrate midyear as our company turns 25 years old. We hope you and your company will join us in celebrating these milestones, and we wish the same blessings and prosperity for you in return.

We also recently released “A Guide to BIC Alliance,” which outlines ways to get the most out of a BIC Alliance advertising and strategic marketing campaign. The guide also explains in depth how to utilize IVS and BIC Publishing to help your company grow. We suggest using the guide to better plan your upcoming year in BIC.

Additionally, to further help you plan your new year, we have included the 2008 BIC Planner in this issue. The calendar includes industry’s best trade shows along with notations on which events you can see BIC represented. Also included in this issue of BIC, we visit with industry executives who are forward thinking themselves. Randy Walker, vice president of North America construction at KBR, talks about revitalizing the company’s domestic business, while Vice President and General Manager Eduardo Assef and his team at CITGO’s Corpus Christi, Texas, site plan for a $330-million project in 2010.

As always, we also have valuable insight on turnarounds, safety and industry hot topics like refinery process safety management audits, achieving OSHA recognition and more.

Last month, my right-brained, creative thinking partner challenged us to start an epidemic of thankfulness. I want to thank you, our loyal readers, and the BIC Alliance partners listed on the opposite page for making BIC magazine their tool of choice for connecting people in business and industry. I thank the aforementioned best staff we have ever had at BIC, particularly our Baton Rouge management team — Heather, Kaye and Theresa — for their commitment, loyalty and grace. And I thank my mentors for their wise counsel and patience.   

May God give you the desires of your heart, and may all of your plans succeed.   Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and peace be with you.

To contact Thomas, you can e-mail him at tbrinsko@bicalliance.com.