RAPAPORT... A new year, a new beginning and with it comes hope… and change. Certainly the U.S. will have a big change this month, as Barack Obama, with his message of change and “yes we can,” is inaugurated president. It is a change that we all hope is positive, especially after the economic debacle of 2008 that has left the world reeling from its havoc. Change, while often perceived as negative, is really often positive, once one recovers from the shock of the shift. Change gives us an opportunity to adapt to new situations, a chance to reinvent ourselves, or our businesses.
Despite the obvious negative results of the recent economic changes in the world, there is a positive side. People are examining what is really important in their lives. The answers are more about the love we share with family and friends and our basic human desire to connect deeply with one another. The greed that has been the motivating factor in so much of the world of business and Wall Street in recent years is being replaced by a new social consciousness — one that takes into account the well-being of both the earth and its inhabitants. Consumers are increasingly searching for products that give back, those that are fair trade, environmentally friendly and beneficial to the community from which the raw resources come. More and more diamond firms and jewelry retailers are taking a cue from these consumers and are offering products that are not only meaningful for their message of love, but are meaningful because they hold a special message of hope for those who need it most.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - January 2009. To subscribe click here.