CBA Industry Blog

Tyndale's football trend and the next blockbuster?

The New York Times published an article on Tuesday focused on three of Tyndale's recent books which all relate somehow to football. What do you think about this article? Do customers want more books like this? Who else would you like to see write a book? What do you think of their decision to go with a Christian publisher versus a secular publisher? And from where do you think the next blockbuster will come?

ICRS: Was It Good?

Hi guys... I know it has been a while since we posted anything on here. Our apologies, but when you're working 18 hours every day at ICRS, not everything receives equal attention. Literally every night at ICRS, my head would hit the pillow with one final thought of, "Ah! The blog!" However, the majority of us are back in the office now and we're anxious to continue so much of the work that began last week. (By the way, the August Best Sellers are up.)

To those of you who attended ICRS this year, thank you and it was so great to see you. Earlier this morning I was in a meeting with several local retailers and we were talking about the take-aways we returned home with from Orlando. One of the buyers at the meeting said, "I love ICRS because it always feels like 'old home week' or one big family reunion." Indeed, it is always a pleasure to actually see the faces that belong to the voices we hear throughout the year.

If you missed a session while at ICRS, the free MP3s will be available to download from the Show's web site in the near future. We'll let you know when those files are up. Be sure to check out the one with Anne Graham Lotz though - I wasn't able to hear her speak, but the word on the street is that she was amazing.

Questions for William Young

William Young, author of The Shack, is speaking at CBA's Member breakfast at the International Christian Retail Show next Wednesday. He'll be answering questions from our members so we thought we'd solicit you, our blog readers, for questions too. If you had an opportunity to ask William any question, what would it be?

Last minute thoughts before ICRS

Hi guys! Scott Graham here again. I’m leaving for Orlando this morning, but before I head out I wanted to remind you of a few things you should bring with you to the Show. In case you missed them in yesterday’s Industry Brief, here’s the list again. Hope you have safe travels down to Florida and we’ll see you next week!

• Your credit card processing statements. CBA Service Provider First National Merchant Solutions is offering you $500 cash if they can’t meet or beat your current credit card processing fees. Either way, you’ll save money or walk home with more of it in your pocket!
  
  
• Property and casualty insurance statements. Take a few minutes to sit down with CBA Service Provider Six & Geving Insurance. Their low rates are extremely competitive and we’re confident they can help you save money.

Curing Craziness

A few minutes ago I popped my head over my cube wall to ask my co-worker Cathy if we were done yet. Done with what, she wanted to know. “Done being crazy, that’s what.”

This time of year is notorious for making the CBA staff slightly… okay… extraordinarily stressed out and brain dead. (I called my boss the wrong name not once, but twice yesterday!) I’m sure the rest of you are experiencing some of that same frantic commotion these days too.

As crazy as we may all be these next few weeks, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. (And I’m not just saying that because I work for CBA!) Several months ago at a CBA area meeting, I spoke about the upcoming Show and how much I enjoy it. Actually, I think I said something to the effect of its one of my favorite parts of my job and one of my favorites thing I get to do all year. I might not look like I’m enjoying myself come Thursday afternoon, but that’s another story...

So, to share some of my excitement with you, here are a few reason why I’m really looking forward to being in Orlando next week…