I hope this message finds you all well and recovered from the hectic holiday season. It doesn’t seem possible that we stand here now in 2022, nearly two years into a global pandemic that has impacted us all in various ways.
Our growth is our victory
What an interesting year 2021 turned out to be! You have to be careful with the word “interesting,” because there are interesting things that are good, and there are interesting things that aren’t so good. We saw both in 2021. We lost some beloved members of our ASEA family and had numerous others significantly impacted by the health of those close to them.
We saw more shutdowns, closures, cancellations, and quarantines. The global supply chain is backed up in ways we’ve never seen before nor could have possibly anticipated, and uncertainty surrounds us everywhere we look.
And, interestingly enough, you continue to prove, time and again, your resilience and your ability to continue to grow a “people” business, even amidst shutdowns and restrictions. In many ways, 2021 was more complicated than 2020, and ASEA grew revenue over our 2020 numbers through your efforts. We have all had to adapt and change in new ways, and it’s a privilege to grow with you.
I use the word “grow” intentionally, because the last two years only win if we fail to learn and grow by our individual and collective experiences. It would be a tragedy if we were not somehow better people because of what we have experienced.
Reflect, calculate, and then commit
This time of year is a time of reflection and introspection. It is when many people make new goals, resolutions, and commitments. As you go through these exercises, make sure that you account for the price of these things and be prepared to pay it. In my experience, most people are enamored by the idea of success in some part of their life, but most often, we dramatically fail to factor in the price that must be paid to achieve it.
A definite highlight of last year was the ASEA® 2021 North America Conference in Nashville. I can’t tell you how great it was to be in person with those of you who made it and how much we missed those of you who couldn’t be there.
Our sights and attention now turn to Las Vegas for ASEA 2022 Global Convention in April. I would encourage you to make every effort to attend. It will be one of the most significant events in the history of this company. We have been working tirelessly to bring you the tools and resources needed to grow your businesses in the digital age, and we look forward to sharing these and many other exciting things at this upcoming Convention.
Measuring up to potential
As we begin this new year, 2022, I share with you my optimism and conviction for the direction of this company. While we have done some remarkable things over the past 11 years, one thing that we haven’t done is live up to our full potential. We can be better, we will be better, and more lives will be changed as a result.
It is and always will be one of the greatest honors of my life to know and work with you as we share this journey together. Right now is the perfect time to be a part of ASEA. I have every belief that the coming year will show you things that you have never experienced before at ASEA. Now let’s get out there and make it a great 2022, and I will see you in Las Vegas. Thanks, everyone!
Chuck Funke, ASEA CEO