The editorial page in the magazine is where I usually comment on a topic of importance to the distribution industry at large or highlight a specific story in the magazine that deserves special reader attention. In this issue, please permit me to stray from that practice in order to ask for your help.

First, I’d like to invite you to participate in our annual reader survey. The survey will take only a few minutes to complete, but your responses help us develop a better editorial product in print and online. Some of the questions ask you to tell us about current economic conditions and business trends. We’ll report on those results in our September/October issue. Other questions ask you to think about the issues that are most important in your business today. We use those answers to help us fine-tune the magazine’s editorial content in the months and years ahead.

Anyone who takes the time to answer the brief online questionnaire will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a tool bag filled with hand tools and accessories from Irwin Industrial Tools. The kit has a retail value of $200.

The second way I need your help is of a more personal nature. I have decided once again to run in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Oct. 7. But this year, instead of pounding the pavement for 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago just for the fun of it (I know, it’s a concept that non-runners probably don’t understand), I’m participating as a Charity Runner for the American Cancer Society. If you are interested in sponsoring me, you can visit the magazine’s Web site and look for my photo from last year’s marathon above the American Cancer Society logo. If you click on the photo, it will take you to a site where you can make a tax-deductible donation with your credit card. If you’d prefer to donate by check, the site includes instructions and a mailing address.

Thanks for your help.

This editorial appeared in the July/August 2007 issue of Progressive Distributor magazine. Copyright 2007.