FOREWORD TO THE BOOK "The 17 Key Success Factors by Gene Levine is a unique book. It is unlike other books in this genre. It definitely is not based on one of those “get rich quick” schemes. As a matter of fact, Gene asks you to deploy your patience and virtues and apply stick-to-itiveness. If you are ready to follow his advice, he supplies you with a comprehensive road map to arrive at the destination that the book promises. "Your natural inclination will be skepticism concerning the claims made by Gene as to where he is today from where he started. That’s okay. "Because this is a unique book, the Foreword is written by someone who has enjoyed a unique relationship with the author; someone who is intimately familiar with Gene’s professional career, as well as knowing him as a person with a sense of values. "I claim to be that person. "I met Gene Levine in 1970, when I was hired to become Editor of Bobbin, a respected publication in the Sewn Products Industry. Over the years, Bobbin grew to become a prestigious national magazine with international reputation and a leader in its field. "Prior to my coming on board, Gene was a frequent contributor to the magazine. The Publisher made sure that I met Gene early on. One of my duties, besides those normally carried out by most editors, was to be responsible for the active seminar program that was part of Bobbin’s portfolio. Gene was also one of its leading lecturers. "These seminar responsibilities included choosing the speakers, the venues, setting the schedules and handling the before, during and after logistics. "Bobbin Publications also had a robust seminar program during its annual three days’ Bobbin Shows. Gene was also a regular lecturer, consistently garnering very high evaluations . Eventually, the Bobbin Show grew to become the largest annual trade show in the world for the Sewn Products Industry. The reason why I dwell on this is because Gene played an important role in the growth and success of Bobbin. "I initially started travelling for the Gene Levine seminars as a “gopher.” Shortly thereafter, Gene asked me to participate in the delivery of part of the seminar content. To make a long and delightful story short, I spent many of my 18 years’ tenure with Bobbin, travelling coast to coast with Gene Levine. In the process, I met many of his students and customers. Therefore, nothing that Gene mentions in this book is foreign to me. "As I mentioned at the outset, some of Gene’s claims of accomplishments seem unbelievable. From a personal experience I can attest that I have witnessed them. I have lived them. This book provides you the opportunity to do the same. "Not to be labeled materialistic, you will read that Gene is careful to define or clarify that success is not just the generation of large sums of money. He also relies on repetition, which in pedagogy is a good tool for teaching, "My friendship with Gene has lasted well beyond my professional career, inasmuch as I retired as President Emeritus of Bobbin in 1998. I am flattered that Gene asked me to write this Foreword. Enjoy, apply and succeed." Manuel Gaetán, PhD |