January 2009

Simple Lessons
Brick House Partners just completed our first year – 2008, what a great year for a start-up? Truth is, it was a great year, not only because we did well as a business, but because of the lessons learned which we will build the foundation on. Simple stuff actually:

• Treat people right
• Do what you said you would do
• Move quickly

I am not sure I needed to start a business to validate these lessons. I am sure Brick House Partners is a stronger business because of them.

Simple Truths
Sometimes the shoe cobbler does wear decent shoes. This last year we have talked a lot about the importance of companies transitioning their mindset from "This is what we do" to "This is what we believe". Brick House Partners isn't any different. So, we recently started sharing "10 Simple Truths of Finding Great Marketing & Advertising Talent that Fit" versus the standard old capabilities. Amazing how much better everyone understands your business when you share what you believe versus the mechanics of how you do it. Take a look at these simple truths – perhaps they can help your staffing efforts in 2009. Or, if you know an industry group or association that may want to hear this message, send me a note at rcutcher@brickhousepartners.net

Starting Off Right
Having 3 kids in college especially sensitizes me toward career starts for young adults. A lot of these "twenty somethings" are having a hard time getting traction as they begin. And it isn't just about the tightness of jobs available. It has a lot to do with how they want to apply their view of the world into the work place – not an easy task. I think they need some help and I have started talking on campus with a discussion titled "Values and a Career in Marketing". You might say that sounds like a non-sequeter and I would say that's why I am doing it. If you know a group of college students studying marketing or advertising and you think they would like to hear this message, send me a note at rcutcher@brickhousepartners.net

2009 - Go Outside
No predictions here for the year 2009 – I am not that smart. What I can say with some certainty is that we must all choose a different path than the road called fear. I see this road mapped already in the minds of many companies and people. It has been constructed by revenue and profit losses, job losses, 401k losses and home value losses. And this road moves us to turn into ourselves. It creates paralysis inside of companies. And everyone begins to "short-arm" their outreach to others. We can all do four things to "go outside" in 2009:

• Counsel people who need an ear or some advice
• Connect people who can help each other
• Continue to stick to the habits you have for outreach
• Create a positive direction and path of your choosing - not one of negative inertia

Here's a link to a website www.thebusinessofgood.org of a great friend who recently started a non-profit business to do just that.

Our legacy in life is how we treat each other and we have never needed each other more than as we head into this New Year.

Make a great 2009.

Ralph A. Cutcher