Young Leaders Bring Progressive Ideas to Vending
The new generation is upbeat about the industry's future.
A new generation is assuming leadership positions in automatic merchandising. It is a generation raised with an appreciation for technology, and anxious to see the industry win its proper place in American society.
As young people assume positions of leadership, the industry's reputation is bound to improve. Today's young managers have a positive attitude about the business.
Many of the young managers grew up in the industry. Unlike their parents, many of these younger managers have college educations. Many have also spent time working in other fields that have exposed them to new ways of doing things. At the same time, there are also plenty of industry newcomers who are just as ambitious about establishing successful careers as their forbears once were.
As the automatic merchandising industry struggles to improve its profitability in a competitive business climate, the new generation of managers are overall highly optimistic about their futures. Many are particularly excited about implementing new software, cashless transaction capability and remote machine monitoring.
Most of the new generation also believe in the importance of education on an ongoing basis. They believe that not only is education critical to the success of their employees, but of the customers. The customers, many claim, need to better understand the benefits that vending offers, such as options for better quality and healthier products.
Many also believe that they will be the first generation of vending professionals who will have the tools to fully understand the vending consumer.
And like their forbears, today's young vending managers have a great passion for the business.
Following is a selection of profiles of vending and OCS managers who are 30 years old and younger.
Matt Mongrain's parents instilled in him an appreciation for the importance of education. But while he was in college, he came across an opportunity to invest in a vending business. He felt an entrepreneurial urge and has never looked back.
In 2003, Mongrain, still in college, purchased a minority position and began working for the company. He found that he liked the vending business. He likes the fact that he can be out and about visiting businesses every day.
Four years after his initial investment, Mongrain and a partner bought out the owner. He is keeping a close eye on cashless vending capabilities. He recognizes that the younger generation does not carry cash, and cashless vending is an inevitability. He is waiting for it to become more cost effective.
A new generation is assuming leadership positions in automatic merchandising. It is a generation raised with an appreciation for technology, and anxious to see the industry win its proper place in American society.
As young people assume positions of leadership, the industry's reputation is bound to improve. Today's young managers have a positive attitude about the business.
Many of the young managers grew up in the industry. Unlike their parents, many of these younger managers have college educations. Many have also spent time working in other fields that have exposed them to new ways of doing things. At the same time, there are also plenty of industry newcomers who are just as ambitious about establishing successful careers as their forbears once were.
As the automatic merchandising industry struggles to improve its profitability in a competitive business climate, the new generation of managers are overall highly optimistic about their futures. Many are particularly excited about implementing new software, cashless transaction capability and remote machine monitoring.
Most of the new generation also believe in the importance of education on an ongoing basis. They believe that not only is education critical to the success of their employees, but of the customers. The customers, many claim, need to better understand the benefits that vending offers, such as options for better quality and healthier products.
