Agility is defined as the ability to change your body’s position efficiently. It requires a combination of balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, strength and endurance. The same is true for your business. Long-term business survival means responding rapidly to changes without losing momentum or vision. Business agility requires adaptability, flexibility and balance. If you’re busy providing PPE while dealing with a backlog of boat projects, some days you may feel agile, and some days you may just feel exhausted.

This issue is filled with stories to help you stay light on your feet. “NECPA: A Century of Success” offers agility lessons from three Northeast canvas companies which have survived for a century and continue to thrive. “Into the Future” discusses how to balance the upsides and challenges of adding automation to your shop to enhance your flexibility.

Leo Pohlmann, Uncharted Marine Canvas, discusses how to make increasingly popular cockpit covers more user-friendly. Terri Madden, Sand Sea & Air Interiors, gives her insights about how to ensure your business stays viable during challenging times, and business coach Madeleine MacRae provides nuts and bolts advice about marketing and selling during a pandemic.

While balance, flexibility and adaptability are key to remaining agile, knowledge and hard work are the bedrock of any successful business. As Bruce Lee, martial arts expert and someone who knows something about agility said, “What you lack in flexibility and agility you must make up with knowledge and constant practice.” I wish you a summer of good health, safety and success. I also hope you’ll continue to take advantage of IFAI’s COVID-19 Resource Center at www.ifai.com/covid-19/ and by visiting www.marinefabricatormag.com for frequent updates. IFAI continues to work hard to remain agile in the face of changing circumstances. Here’s to all of us finding balance and staying light on our feet to meet the challenges ahead.