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CREA UPDATE AND A LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE ...continued from page 1
Early on, we experienced 9/11 together. There was the 2008 Financial Crisis and the Great Recession (does anyone remember TARP and 1602 Exchange?). And lest we forget, a global pandemic. So, a 500 basis point increase in the Fed funds rate in just a little over 12 months, while “unprecedented” is a significant transition - it isn’t the end of the world as we know it. Being Present If 2022 was a year of transition, then 2023 is a year of being present: being present at the moment, with others, and yes, being present in the office. Although we have seen significant improvements in work-life balance,
we have not seen an increase in productivity. Additionally, what I believe we have unfortunately seen is also a change in communication and interpersonal skills. And I do not believe this change is for the better. To use an old business school phrase, “Not all change is progress.” Nothing can substitute in-person conversations and interactions. It has been said, 80% of communication is nonverbal. If we consider video calls in which most participants are on mute for portions or even the majority of the call, are entirely off camera, or are multi-tasking (which can be considered a phrase for doing two things equally average), you can see where these communication
skills and efficiencies are at a decline. This common scenario of today’s work environment is far from being present at the moment. Where We Go (& Grow) from Here As CREA continues to grow as a mature company, growth isn’t just about equity volume, revenue and profit. Growth comes from collaboration. And collaboration requires trust. And trust needs to be established and nurtured in person with others. CREA is not average. CREA was established to be something a little bit different. Focused on others. And to do that, we need to be present.
Jeff Whiting (left) with CREA Co-Presidents Charles Anderson and Tony Bertoldi during last year’s CREALive event.
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