Smart Business Magazine, Nov 2012

4 Smart Business Cincinnati Northern Kentucky November 2012 Smart Business Magazine is a management journal providing insight and advice for top decision makers Each edition includes feature articles on management strategies of CEOs of leading local companies In addition we partner with leading service providers to deliver expert advice to our senior management audience SMART BUSINESS CINCINNATI NORTHERN KENTUCKY 835 Sharon Drive Suite 200 Cleveland OH 44145 8662345064 PUBLISHER VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Dustin S Klein DIRECTOR OF CONTENT EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Todd Shryock INSIGHTS MANAGING EDITOR Sue Ostrowski ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gregory Jones DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT John Lotenero SMART BUSINESS MAGAZINE IS A DIVISION OF SMART BUSINESS NETWORK INC PRESIDENT CEO Fred Koury PRESIDENT CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Lee Koury PRESIDENT CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Michael Marzec VICE PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL MARKETING David Fazekas CONTROLLER Kathy Deutsch CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Colleen Fichter DESIGN DIRECTOR Jim Mericsko PRODUCTION MANAGER Mary Kay Bukowski GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lori Smith Kaelyn Hrabak COPY EDITOR Melanie Klag SENIOR EDITOR INTERACTIVE MEDIA Troy Sympson EVENT MARKETING COORDINATOR Danielle Catteau EVENT SALES EXECUTIVES Anne Hydock Meredith Baldy INSIGHTS ASSOCIATE EDITORS Adam Burroughs Jayne Gest VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Katie Janoch NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Janet Valore AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Somer Karim AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT Tammy Frank OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Jill Brown BILLING COORDINATOR Barb Ingrassia SMART BUSINESS MAGAZINE IS ALSO PUBLISHED IN AKRON CANTON ATLANTA CHICAGO CLEVELAND COLUMBUS DALLAS DETROIT FLORIDA HOUSTON INDIANAPOLIS LOS ANGELES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ORANGE COUNTY PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH ST LOUIS Smart Business Cincinnati Northern Kentucky is published monthly by Smart Business Network Inc 835 Sharon Drive Suite 200 Cleveland OH 44145 All material herein is property of Smart Business Network Inc and may not be reproduced Smart Business and Smart Business Network are registered trademarks of Smart Business Network Inc SMARTBUSINESS INSIGHT ADVICE STRATEGY CINCINNATI NORTHERN KENTUCKY Click or scan to read more columns by Fred Koury A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE Focus on what matters most Are we grateful for the things we have Are we grateful that we live in a country where the government cant seize our businesses where theres no threat of rebellion and where we can go home to the comforts of our modern homes Many people in the world dont have any of those luxuries Some cant even look forward to a good meal or clean drinking water Most of us here in the United States dont have to worry about such problems because the people that came before us worked hard to create a nation that has an amazing standard of living The generation before us rose from the troubles of the Great Depression led the fight against Nazi aggression that killed millions and returned home to finish making America into a superpower but do we ever pause to think about the contributions our mothers and fathers made to make things easier for us today They lived in small houses often sheltering multiple generations and worked long hours to make a better life for their children and grandchildren and selflessly went off to war to protect our freedom Do we ever think about any of that The answer for many is no Gratitude is in danger of becoming a lost art as we focus on accumulating money and possessions always looking to be better or richer than the next person How many times have you read about or talked to someone who had everything you could ever ask for nice home nice car and no money problems lamenting the fact that he or she doesnt have as much as or more than someone else We sometimes catch ourselves comparing who has more instead of who has less As business leaders we should have some sense of moral obligation to help those within our sphere of influence whether its our peers employees or the person who lives down the street We should be doing our best to look out for those around us but too often our days are consumed with the details of business Our world may be built on information but wisdom is lacking Business has been boiled down to statistical analysis and quarterly earnings reports while people are just another line on the ledger There is often little room for gratitude in corporate America and thats a shame When our focus is on accumulating things we can never enjoy it because we dont know how How can we enjoy something when weve already raced off to try to get more Like a kid tearing through a pile of Christmas presents we never really take the time to appreciate each gift In this season of giving thanks we should take a moment to think about those who came before us and who helped us get to where we are Lets thank those around us for a job well done and consider reaching out to someone who could use a helping hand But most importantly lets consider putting our lives in perspective by thinking about those who are less fortunate When we focus more on gratitude well make a difference thats far more effective than any business plan It will allow us to take the time to celebrate success and enjoy the fruits of our labor Gratitude doesnt require a giant donation or a huge event sometimes the little things are more effective In the end well find that the only things truly worth accumulating are good will and happiness Its in our control to start helping everyone around us get their fair share and thats something all of us can be thankful for FRED KOURY is president and CEO of Smart Business Network Inc Reach him with your comments at 800 988 4726 or fkoury@ sbnonline com From the CEO Fred Koury