New Year, New Perspective

I long ago gave up on New Year's resolutions. It made me feel like I was in a bad relationship with myself. Every year I fell in love with the bald face lies I told myself, only to be let down.

However, I do view the New Year as a chance to reboot. Here at BNH, the team discussed how to reinvigorate the magazine for readers in 2012. While we receive many compliments on the magazine (thank you!), we don't want to get complacent.

For example, a fellow Leadership NH classmate said she felt the magazine looked dated, though she quickly followed that with an apology. There was no need to apologize. The staff was already discussing ways to update the look and content of the magazine. As much as we love praise, let's admit it-nothing motivates us to change more than constructive criticism.

So with this issue you'll notice a revamped look that is more modern, with an aired out easier-to-read typeface and a number of design tweaks. We also overhauled our annual Most Powerful feature. When Business NH Magazine began the list 20 years ago, we were a state that still had large corporations with local leadership wielding money and influence.

With fewer large companies in the state now and many of those managed by regional vice presidents for whom NH is only part of their responsibilities, many decisions about NH operations are made by people outside the state. The notion of power doesn't apply in the same way.

Instead, we've created something to help readers find the most influential people-those with the knowledge, resources and contacts to get things done, whether in an industry, a region or on a statewide level. Recommendations for the list came from business, government, and nonprofit leaders already in the know. We asked, If you had to get something done in NH, whom would you call?

We whittled hundreds of nominations to 65 for Business NH Magazine's inaugural Influencer Index. While some names you might expect, there are also profiles of people who exercise influence behind the scenes.

As for our other 2012 changes, we've breathed new life into a number of popular features you'll see throughout the year. We're also adding a number of new features, but you'll just have to wait to see those surprises.

We look forward to continuing to celebrate and elevate NH businesses in 2012. And we want to hear from you. Let us know what you think of the job we're doing and what we could do better by emailing mmowry@businessNHmagazine.com.

Sincerely,

Matthew J. Mowry

Editor