Life is Relationships
Relationship – the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.
Stop for a minute and think about the relationships in your life. Better yet, think about the relationships over the course of your life. Some changed the trajectory of your life, some just made your life better, some taught you hard lessons, and some helped you with the career you have today.
We live in a time where we work remotely and make dozens of Zoom calls a week. But the value of relationships hasn’t gone away. In fact, they may be more important than ever. I think about meeting Steve Martin during an industry event 20 years ago. We were hitting range balls one evening and started talking. That chance encounter not only provided me with a lifelong friend, it changed my career and the entire direction of the company I was working for at the time. Due to the relationship I formed with Steve, over the next two years we started growing our branded business with PSS 15% to 20% a year. Then one day Steve called and said: “Scott, our private label business is yours to win.” That single chunk of business doubled our sales in the U.S. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for the relationship.
As important as relationships are with current and potential customers like Steve, they are every bit as important with the people we work with every day. In a similar story, 20 years ago during a HIDA Executive Conference I met Brian Taylor (shockingly working on his putting), on a practice green. I know this sounds like all I do is golf. Brian and I formed a relationship that week and he later became one of my mentors, which led to me taking over Repertoire for him 15 years ago. What a career change for me in one chance encounter.
I realize I write about this topic about once a year, and maybe I do it for myself as a reminder to be thankful for the value of my relationships. Hopefully it’s a good reminder for you as well. Building relationships is one of the keys to a fulfilled life. “Life is relationships; the rest is just details,” wrote Gary Smalley. That couldn’t be truer. Step back and reflect on your relationships and the ones yet to come. They change our lives.
Dedicated to the Industry,
R. Scott Adams
Publisher