I wrote my first post in a year last week and was amazed at the response. My struggles were the same as so many of you and I struck a chord. Thanks for your response and feedback. We're a community and I'm glad I can help in a small way.
I had planned to write another missive this week, based on feedback on my post from last week, but decided to go a different direction, a couple of days later than I planned, to address the challenges and chaos following the death of George Floyd last week. I have a reason for the delay… maybe not a good one, but a reason, nevertheless.
I have been in shock.
At the action. At the behavior of the people responsible. At the lack of empathy from our leaders in government. And the ineffectiveness of the system to address issues with care and thought. But more importantly, at the rage we see exploding across our country and all over the world. None of us have been spared. My Chicago office has been damaged during the riots last Saturday night, and I can't get to the city to assess the damage. And, on a personal level, I have also had this impact family and friends, here in the suburbs of Chicago, that have been insulated for... ever?
Here's the reason for the shock. The impact of these disruptions is not just physical. It is emotional and psychological. In less than 90-days, we have gone from a life that was safe and predictable to a world that is very uncertain. We have gone from being free to being under siege. We are living in crazy and chaotic times.
In these times, with dark and foreboding clouds, I feel compelled to look for a bright light… for that little silver lining. To find things to be thankful for… for my family, for my friends, for my colleagues and teams, for my clients, for all the people I care about...
I look to find a sense of comfort today and a sense of confidence for tomorrow. I look at this great country of ours... with a majority of citizens who've come from all parts of the world, voluntarily or not, but know they can create a future, that is positive and empowering...
As I follow the protests, the riots and the destruction... the question I ask.
Is this what you support? If not, what can we do to stop this?
From numbers nerd to marketing futurist and best-seller author to now Chairman and CEO of Shapiro+Raj, Zain brings over 30 years of marketing perspective to MRX to make sure his clients deliver major brand AND financial growth. In a former life, Zain was a member of the C-Suite at companies such as FCB, Havas and Epsilon. Zain is also the founder and CEO of zednext, an ideas-driven incubator positioned to disrupt the future for marketers and business leaders. Combining creativity and technology to help his clients get to the future before it happens is his passion. Zain holds a degree from the University of Mumbai.
