Almost a year ago, I wrote a column explaining how publishers live in a world of numbers. As a credit union executive, your numbers are designed to show how your business is pacing and help identify trouble if the ranges get of synch.

As a publishing exec, my numbers not only show my business valuation. but they tell a story. These numbers show if our editorial content is on track, if our advertisers are seeing response and if new media is resonating with our younger readers. And like most numbers, there is often good news and bad news.

I like showing bad news first. We are getting older and the younger generations are taking over the business. Yes, as hard as it is to believe, we are getting older every year, and our succession planning is working just as it should. CEO and senior executive retirements are up and new blood is coming into the C-suite.