As originally published by David Sable on Linkedin. Subscribe to the newsletter!

Going “Forward”​ to Work in 2021

Dear Reader,

I promise you this is not yet another 2020 look-back about the year we lost, about masks or just plain misery. And it’s not a prediction for 2021…my Cloudy Crystal Ball will wait until later on in January to reveal itself.

Clearly and appropriately, we need to pause and acknowledge the tragic loss of life—much of it sadly needless, as our lack of planning for disaster caught everyone flatfooted and caused weeks, if not months, of spinning and just plain catch-up. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t point out that this same lack of planning is causing the incredible FUBAR of vaccine distribution.

How could we move forward without understanding that way too many businesses closed, while others made unconscionable profits all while people remain out of work, many hungry and homeless? As 2021 progresses, we cannot let anyone fall by the wayside.

I’d further be remiss if I didn’t call out the relentless spread of fake news and conspiracy crap from the highest placed people in the world, which continues to be amplified by out-of-control social media, elevating levels of hate to their highest points.

And yet…there have been incredible acts of charity and kindness—pivots that have saved business and jobs. We’ve seen tremendous ingenuity demonstrated by parents and business alike. Friends and families have come together like never before. And a vaccine has been developed in record time, despite it all.

Advertising in 2020 has also stood the test. Despite the many predictions of doom, the ad industry pulled its own weight, and in many ways, has had its best year, revealing its importance in informing, educating and entertaining during the darkest days of the pandemic.

With that, I wish you all a happy and healthy 2021—a year of not going back to work but of going forward to work, of proud mask wearing, of appropriate muting …more than not, of pivots and ingenuity, and most importantly, of empathy. In 2021, let’s activate to help our friends, colleagues and children, and all others around the world who have struggled in 2020, and give them a chance for a better year in future.

Thank you all for inspiring me by reading “Imagine” and my rambles, and for challenging me with your thoughts, comments and questions.