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If you’ve ever heard me speak, I talk about Relationship Givers, Takers and Investors. 

This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting one of those amazing “Relationship Givers.”  If you’re ever in Phoenox, Arizona, look up Kathy Knecht – Executive Director of Leadership West.  Although my time with Kathy, her husband Tom, and the rest of the fantastic team at Leadership West was short, I clearly walked away with the impression that this woman embodies all that is great, noble, caring and incredibily giving in one’s community.  She has been active in a number of community campaigns, has started several non-profits, and gets something very uphoric from giving to everyone around her!  No wonder she’s been selected to the West Valey 24.

To: David Nour
Subject: Your book has ‘ageless appeal’

David,

The recent break gave us an opportunity to spend a bit more time with family, focusing on the most important relationships in our lives.  And while it’s nice get away to visit with family, sometimes you need a few minutes to get away FROM family!   

As we were visiting my parents, along with other family members, I went to look for my three year old.  I found her, sitting in a rocking chair which belonged to my grandmother, as pictured below.  Asking her what she was doing, she declared, “I’m reading one of my favorite books.” 

—–Original Message—–
From: Jansen Chazanof
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 6:00 PM

Thought you would enjoy this article — I think it’s from the New Yorker:

Hanging Tough

In the late nineteen-twenties, two companies—Kellogg and Post—dominated the market for packaged cereal. It was still a relatively new market: ready-to-eat cereal had been around for decades, but Americans didn’t see it as a real alternative to oatmeal or cream of wheat until the twenties. So, when the Depression hit, no one knew what would happen to consumer demand. Post did the predictable thing: it reined in expenses and cut back on advertising. But Kellogg doubled its ad budget, moved aggressively into radio advertising, and heavily pushed its new cereal, Rice Krispies. (Snap, Crackle, and Pop first appeared in the thirties.) By 1933, even as the economy cratered, Kellogg’s profits had risen almost thirty per cent and it had become what it remains today: the industry’s dominant player.

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Dominos Pranksters Done In By Crowdsourcing

By Tameka Kee – Tue 14 Apr 2009 11:21 AM PST

My wife and I were at a great local restaurant recently and noticed that they were doing terrific business, while many others are suffering.  I couldn’t help but wonder why? 

Through a closer lens, I noticed:

• Seemingly loyal customers (you can tell, because they know the menu without having to look at it!) created by great past service which reinforce strong personal and business relationships;
• Extremely attractive ambiance where people want to hang out (casual, comfortable with an understated elegance);
• Appeal to diverse age groups (our favorite three categories: just married – still gagah over each other, married with kids – typical conversations about school issues and concerned about the babysitter back at the house, and empty nesters – free at last!)
• Diversity of menu items (notice I didn’t say quantity of menu items!)

Which made me think about some of the companies all around us: when any organization reduces staff, cuts back on travel and entertainment, minimizes its marketing or advertising campaigns, and generally shrinks its market presence, it is in a doom loop.  A critical part of any company’s reputation is its brand equity – a fundamental contributor to that brand equity, is the organizations portfolio of relationships.  In many companies, those relationships (within as well as external to the organization) are being ignored! 

You simply can not cut your way to growth!

How are you preparing for the market recovery?