Wiley - waaaay more than a coyote!

 

You never know where writing a blog posting is going to lead!  This morning, was engaged by a link in a Brendan McCormack tweet.  Turns out the posting is tiny compared to my addendum, a fascinated look at the parent company of Wiley Online Library.  Am reposting here for anyone interested in a USA-based company that's been thriving & driving the ever-evolving world of publishing for over 200 years.   

Here's my cut & paste:

About WILEY - can't resist adding this extensive background on the Wiley Online Library & its parent company.  Too darn fascinating!  This article on rural family caregivers was my first contact with Wiley.  Amazed to discover that Wiley is over 200 years old!  Gotta love a company whose taglines include "empowers teaching & learning" and  "enables discovery"!

Once upon a time, in a very big city in a fairly small country, 25-year old Charles Wiley opened a small printing shop in Manhattan.  Charles grew the business, with an impressive list of authors & best sellers.  Partners came & partners went, but Charles Wiley never lost his focus on innovation & keeping his eye beyond the horizon.   

 

On Charles' death, his son took over the family business.  By the mid-1800s, Wiley was a major publishing house, the first American publisher with a branch office in London.  

As the century progressed, the company's interest shifted away from fiction toward scientific, technical & medical topics.  Right place, right time, right interests - Wiley road the wave of scientific breakthroughs & technological innovations. By the end of the century, the company had branched into social sciences & business management, then just coming into its own, and gone global.   As the nation entered the 20th century, Wiley was recognized as the #1 US publisher in science & technology.  

Talk about longevity - in 1932, John Wiley's great-grandson William Bradford Wiley (aka Brad) came on board, the 5th generation to work in the family business.  Naturally, World War II & America's postwar boom meant even bigger & better things for Wiley & Sons.  In 1962, shares were offered to employees and the public - after 155 years, Wiley was no longer a private family business.  Again, right move at the right time.  

Although headquartered just across the river from the original Manhattan location, today Wiley can be found all over the world.  And - of course - still expanding.  In the late 1970s. it saw the writing on the wall & entered knowledge-based trade publishing, purchasing Ronald Press to booster its business and accounting titles.

On its 175th anniversary, Wiley expanded into business education & training, acquiring Wilson Learning Corporation, then life sciences publisher Alan R. Liss, Inc. (1989), and VCH, publishing partner of the German Chemical Society (1996). 

Fueled by a variety of smaller acquisitions, a sharpened focus on the company's strengths, Wiley entered the 21s century primed & ready to grow even bigger.  

What would the early Wileys - or even Brad - think about the impact the Internet had on their publishing company, or the effect their publishing company would have on the World Wide Web?  Even more than when the company celebrated its 200 years of still thriving business, Wiley is better positioned than ever to serve & innovate.  As I just discovered this morning, The Wiley Online Library is an incredible online platform for scientific, technical, medical, and professional 

At this point, am going to blatantly lift sections from the company's website.  It's just too well written to try to rephrase in my own limited words:

In recent years, Wiley has focused its activities increasingly on the areas of research, learning, and professional practice, with its three core businesses now named Global Research, Professional Development, and Global Education. The strategy has been supported by additional acquisitions and partnerships and the divestiture of most of its consumer brands, with the notable exception of For Dummies.


Wiley has played a leading role in important industry initiatives such as CrossRef, a collaborative venture providing key services such as online reference citation linkage in journals and other scholarly content. Wiley is also involved in the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) initiative, a collaborative effort to provide a unique identifier for each contributor to the scholarly literature.
Wiley is a founding member of the U.N.-backed HINARI, AGORA, and OARE initiatives (collectively known as Research4Life), which make online scientific content available free or at nominal cost to researchers in developing countries, as well as a founding partner in the Cochrane Collaboration's Evidence Aid project, providing evidence on interventions in the aftermath of natural disasters and large-scale health emergencies.

 

Creating Global Centers of Excellence

Since the 1990s, Wiley has seen vigorous growth and dramatic change, as the company moves purposefully toward its vision of giving customers the information they want, in the form they want, whenever they want it. In financial terms, revenue increased from less than $300 million in FY1990 to $1.8 billion in FY2013.

Over the past decade, Asia has emerged as both a dynamic market and a vital source of Wiley content. China is now the second-largest consumer of Wiley Online Library content, as well as the second-largest source of articles for Global Research journals. India, a well-established market for Wiley, is also developing into an important source of content.

In the Middle East, Wiley opened an office in Dubai in 2010 to take advantage of the region's rapid growth of higher education opportunities; in 2012, Wiley established Brasil Editora LTDA, based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a global company, Wiley is able to create consolidated centers of excellence at locations sited strategically around the world and, in turn, achieve cost savings and efficiencies that make room for ongoing investments to develop the business.

Honoring the Company and Its Authors

Wiley has been honored frequently for its sustained financial success and exceptional culture. Accolades include Forbes magazine's list of the "400 Best Big Companies in America," Book Business magazine's citation of Wiley as "One of the 20 Best Book Publishing Companies to Work For," and Standard and Poor's 2006 addition of Wiley to its MidCap 400 Index. In addition, Fortune magazine named Wiley one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For," and Wiley Australia has received the Australian government's "Employer of Choice for Women" citation every year since its inception in 2001. Wiley has also appeared on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Best Workplaces for Commuters" list.


Wiley authors have received numerous honors, and Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in every Nobel prize category: Literature, Economics, Physiology/Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.

Always ready to catch the next big wave, Wiley currently collaborates with TED (hard to get more cutting edge), curating  a series of talks along with  educational support materials. 

For over 200 years, Wiley has evolved to meet the needs of its customers — from letterpress pamphlets to digital apps and interactive online learning tools. The Wiley family's involvement in the business continues, now into the seventh generation. Given Wiley's financial stability, experienced leadership team, and talented workforce, the years ahead promise to bring exciting opportunities for continued growth and prosperity.

The company may be a far cry from Charles Wiley's small Manhattan printing shop, but its emphasis on quality and commitment to customers haven't changed since 1807.

 

Beware the Pit of Pride!

Last week, I fell headlong into the Pit of Pride.   

After posting a positioning statement – I’m an elder care ancharist, overthrowing the norm, expanding possibilities.  – on Facebook & asking for input, I balked when friends wondered if “anarchist” might be taken as…  scary.   

No, no, was my horrified response – that word always gets a good response.  Innovator seemed so much... tamer. 

Flog me for forgetting the first rule Pete Boericke taught me as a fledgling public relations wordsmith – resist pride of authorship. 

Last week was a mighty fail on that part.  Time to realize my goof, pledge to accept as well as seek other opinions, and follow up on suggestions. 

UP NEXT:  Will road test both names, alternating handing out my current business card – with elder care anarchist – with a second substituting innovator for the potentially scary word.  Then, gauge responses. 

And not only ask for input on potential wording, 

but stay open to better possibilities, too! 

Perfectly good

 

Voltaire could have been talking about marriage when he said, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”  Blessings on Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, for introducing me to those wise words.  Words to live by. Especially this past weekend.

John & I have a good, sturdy marriage, one that's a far cry from perfect.  John is there for me so many times, in so many ways.  Just not this past Saturday & Sunday.  My heart was broken, my spirit ripped apart by multiple reminders of things that are essential to my sense of self & safety that don't even register on his radar.  Not even the teeny tiniest blip.  Arrrggggghhhhhh!

Had a mini meltdown at Be Well, sadness & despair tinging every word of lament.  A black cloud of depression hung over me all Saturday.  The icy grip of weather that seized our area Sunday reflected the icy grip grief held on my heart.  

Then, in the depth of my storm & stress, a burble of light bubbled up through my brain.  Voltaire, whispering in my ear - Are you letting the perfect overwhelm the good?  Is John a good husband?  Is he as good a husband as you are a wife?   

 

Yes!  John is a good husband.  Is he perfect?  No how, no way.  Sheez, I’m light years from being the perfect wife.   

Back to Gretchen, who reminded me that "Instead of pushing yourself to an impossible 'perfect,' and therefore getting nowhere, accept 'good.'  Many things worth doing are worth doing badly."

John & I ace some aspects of marriage.  Others…  not so much.  Not even close.  Even though we don't do them well, they are still well worth our time to do. 

Weird, being married for so many years yet still hitting soul-rattling bumps in the road.  How I treat each is up to me - take it as a cautionary speed bump or an axle-damaging obstacle?   Do I go berserk because our relationship isn’t perfect or acknowledge there are flaws & keep moving forward?  

Strange but true - Gretchen's most recent posting addressed this very situation.  Yesterday's posting opened with a quote from Bob Mankoff, one of my favorite NewYorker cartoonists -  “Humor is the antidote to overthinking. It’s a way of saying that life is paradoxical. Humor contains contradictions; it does not resolve them but revels in them. It says that the right way to exist among the contradictions, paradoxes, and absurdities of life is to cope with them through laughter.”

 

Mankoff beats even Voltaire at being spot on.  Marriage is paradoxical!  Marriage is front & back-loaded with contradictions.  We are not meant to resolve them, but revel in them.  The best way to handle the contradictions, paradoxes & absurdities of marriage is through a light heart, a light hand, and a lot of laughter. 

Gretchen, you give me goose bumps!  Have been struggling to unlock the words to describe the past two days & you hand over the key.  Thanks! 

The whole idea of marriage working out smoothly, without major bumps pot holes detours is absurd.  Team up a guy & a gal & expect them to think & will, each as the other?  A lovely thought, but there’s an eternity of work getting even close. 

I do not now nor ever will think like John.  And vice versa.  But we can join forces, bulk up each others strengths as we lessen each others weaknesses.  We can want what is best for the other & accept that we might not be the one to provide it.  Not even if we deeply dearly desperately want to be The One.  And that's okay,  That's the way it's meant to be.  Just keep those seat belts buckled, enjoy the scenery while keeping an eye on the road, and remember to not take any detours too seriously.  

 

JACOB KRAMER - blues chaser, making a difference

One of the things that got my mother through the bleak winter months (can get pretty dreary here in southeast Pennsylvania) were the letters she got from family & friends - especially her nieces Peggy & Linda and nephew Bob, all top notch letter writers! Imaging the smiles on their faces getting an envelope addressed in her hand writing - Mom was a wonderfully  engaging correspondent.

Have always loved the word correspondence. Definition - communication by exchanging letters with someone.  Communication.  One of the BEST words in any language, at least to me.   

Letters can brave the iciest steps, the most blustery winds.  And rainy days are ideal for sitting down with a cuppa & dashing off a few notes to tuck into the mail box.  Hand-written ones are the greatest treasures - to me, just seeing someone's "fist" is very special.

Mom wrote letters to her near & dear, letters to the editor, notes of appreciation to the past Sunday's minister for an interesting sermon and/or a thank you to the choir or organist for a particularly beautiful piece of music.  (As much as she loved audio tapes of the service - today, she'd watch livestream AND get the audio to replay - Mom valued the print version best, which she could write on & reread at will). 

It's possible that a love of receiving mail just might be hardwired into the human psyche.  The core hub of my small home town is our local post office.  People seem predisposed to smiles there, picking up their mail.  I am sad for all the communities that get only home delivery, don't have their own sacred little box. 

When I married John, I took a new last name, a new address, a new phone number, but there was no way I was giving up my always & forever post office box!  To this day, I dutifully go down every March & plunk down my box rent.  

One of my grannie clients prefers walking all the way from her apartment at the back of her senior residence to the quite far away front door just so she can check out if she has mail.  Every day, every time she makes the long walk (instead of being picked up at the back), the hope is always there - maybe there will be something in my box.  Alas, there is rarely an actual letter or note, but, as I remind her, she doesn't write any herself.  Hmmmm.....   This is a great time for her start sending off fun cards to her sister in Florida, her sons in Massachusetts & North Carolina!  

This posting about the power of letter writing is about to veer in what was, when I started, a totally unexpected direction.  When I wrote the opening line, I had not heard the name, JACOB CRAMER.  Have spent the last couple hours learning all about this unusual young man, being impressed & inspired.  Am not really digressing from the topic of this morning's posting when I introduce him to you.

I discovered Jacob this morning when I googled "letters and the elderly."  He was all over the place!  As well he should be.

It turns out that Jacob Cramer is a very young man with a very big mission.  Between November 2013 and mid-February 2014, this then 8th grader (!) was responsible for over 450 handwritten letters being delivered to seniors at assisted living centers & hospitals throughout metropolitan Cleveland, Ohio.  

Jacob - my butt has been kicked!  As of this moment, thanks to a young man whose name I'd never seen until this morning, am starting a similar program for my church, reaching out to the people who have - individually & collectively - been priceless role models & mentors in my life, in our lives!  

I know, from personal experience opening up my post office box or the mail box here at Squirrel Haven, what a difference spotting a letter makes, the automatic smile it brings to my face!  So little effort, just a huge result.

 

Here's how it works with Jacob's organization,  Love for the Elderly - night aids at the centers or hospitals placed a single, unsigned letter on each senior's bedside table.  When they woke up, there it was, waiting for them to open & read or have read to them!  

Important point - each letter is signed ANONYMOUS.  There is no pressure for the recipient to respond, because they can't.  Just enjoy the letter, which I'm sure many treasure as among their greatest possessions.  Imagine the stories they can make up in their minds about the sender!

Imagining what it would be like if every resident in my own home town's senior residence received a letter in their mail box.  Oh, the people buzzing, asking their friends & neighbors if they'd gotten one, sharing them.  Big smile on my face, just thinking about it! 

Young Master Cramer's idea was so successful, he reached out past his original recruits (his 8th grade classmates) & launched a Web site, developed a Facebook page, and even rolled out a social media campaign to rally total strangers to the glorious cause!  Jacob Cramer - rock star!

How did such a kid come up with such an awesome idea?  Personal experience.  He was sad when his beloved grandfather died.  Brokenhearted realizing the his grandpa was all alone, without family around him.  Jacob & his family were regular visitors, but his grandpa was more often all by himself.  When he passed, his grandson took it as a personal mission to honor his elder by doing what he could to help oldsters feel less lonely.  Would that we all responded to sorrow & loss with such loving energies!

 

Letter-writing was a perfect fit for Jacob, who participates in a competitive writing program with other Ohio middle school students.  He knew that letters were personal, involved thought & effort, embody human interaction and mean a lot to the person receiving it, holding it in their hands.  Visits are invaluable, but letters can be cherished & treasured over & over & over.  

It is to weep that one so young understands so well what it is like for too many elderly Americans.  In an interview he gave with the Web site, Caregiversforhome,
Jacob explained, "So many elderly citizens in our nation have no one to care for them, no one to look after them and no one to love them. We are here to change that. We’re ... dedicated to providing happiness to the elderly."  It is a great interview - I urge you to check out the link.

 
Imagine that you are one of the letter writers (they include all ages).  You write one or more letters to send off to Jacob for distributing via Love for the Elderly.  What's the next natural thought?  "Now that I've written these, I should write one to Grandma or Aunt Betty or Cousin Angie, to my friend who lives in Colorado or my niece in Australia, to this person who just broke a leg or that one who just lost his Dad."  And so the love grows, becomes more personal, even more powerful.

My thanks to Jacob Cramer, one incredible blues chaser!  Will begin TODAY my own practice of writing letters for Love for the Elderly.  Will honor Jacob - and his grandfather & my own letter-writing mama - by starting a similar project for the elderly & shut-ins within my church & community.  

Little did I know, waking up this morning, that my life would be changed by what I thought was just a simple google search.  Ain't life grand! 

 

originally posted on 01/10/15 at older2elder