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11.26.2008

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Our Thanks to You — For a Year of Inspiration and Insight

These are challenging times for consumers and businesses. As a nation, we’ve faced tough times before and faced them down to arrive on the other side of adversity a bit wiser, a bit stronger and more often than not, a bit more prosperous.

During the most challenging times in our history, dating back to the earliest days of our young democracy with George Washington, a national day of thanksgiving has been set aside by each president. Thanksgiving, the holiday we now celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November, can be traced back to Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863 at the height of the Civil War when our still young country was being torn apart at its seams. It reads, in part:

“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving…”

In the Depression years of the 1930s and 1940s (a time our current economic climate is compared with), President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1934 proclamation offered words of hope that ring true today:

“During the past year we have been given courage and fortitude to meet the problems which have confronted us in our national life. Our sense of social justice has deepened. We have been given vision to make new provisions for human welfare and happiness, and in a spirit of mutual helpfulness we have cooperated to translate vision into reality. More greatly have we turned our hearts and minds to things spiritual. We can truly say, "What profiteth it a nation if it gain the whole world and lose its own soul."

We’ve written a thing or two about “soul” over the years. Soul is that animating force that moves, changes and shapes the life of people and culture. When a specific brand (or company) is said to be soulful, it refers to its ability to connect with consumers within the context of their lifestyles and cultural occasions. Soulful brands foster and nourish hope. And, we all could use a strong dose of hope these days.

So, as this Thanksgiving draws near our thoughts turn gratefully to you our clients and faithful readers of HartBeat. And, it is in this spirit of the holiday, we say simply, but sincerely, thank you. Thank you for your support. We promise we will continue to work hard to earn your trust and your business in the months ahead.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also extend a heartfelt thank you to the “engine behind the machine” — all the members of The Hartman Group family who work tirelessly throughout the year to serve you. We wouldn’t be where we are without them.

Finally, to help us provide you with the most relevant and useful information, we would appreciate your feedback on anything. Tell us what you think, suggest a topic for a future HartBeat, tell us about our website, how you’re feeling about the economy, or about products, stores or brands we should keep an eye on—anything. Please send us your suggestions or comments in the feedback form below.

For now, turn off the computer, take a much deserved break and enjoy the holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Founder, Chairman & CEO
The Hartman Group, Inc.

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