What have been your firsts?

There were a lot of firsts, yesterday. Watching the Inauguration reminded me of the first time (years ago) when we took our daughter to our nation’s capital to understand the significance of history and what it means to all of our lives. 

Credit Image:  Jarvis Consultants, LLC

Credit Image: Jarvis Consultants, LLC

Credit Image:  Jarvis Consultants, LLC

Credit Image: Jarvis Consultants, LLC

Regardless where you stand politically, there were a lot of pioneers yesterday to inspire people and cause moments of pride and admiration.

 Kamala Harris:

The first African-American, Asian-American Woman Vice President of the United States.

 Alex Padilla:

The first Latino Senator from California.

 Raphael Warnock:

The first African-American Senator from Georgia.

 Jon Ossof:

The first Jewish-American Senator from Georgia and the youngest-ever Senator elected.

History is made every single day, but yesterday a lot of history was made, showing progress.  The timing is amazing because just several days ago we recognized Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts in pursuing equality for all marginalized by gender, creed, or color. I reflected on that and thought how poignant and meaningful this period in American history represents. These elected officials were judged on their character, experience and solutions that they can bring to their constituents and to the overall country. Their ethnicity, race and gender (while I’m sure were barriers) did not defeat them. As our world continues to change, perhaps it even helped them. Only time will tell and history will reflect the true meaning of this time.

Credit Image:  Jarvis Consultants, LLC

Credit Image: Jarvis Consultants, LLC

Whether it is the Senate Chambers, the Oval Office, a Boardroom or a Retail Floor - we know through data that diverse voices and representation helps to reflect constituents and customers’ experiences and viewpoints. We know that businesses thrive when there are different genders, race, ethnic thoughts included in business strategies and tactics.

In so many ways, citizens are so much more willing to stand up and make their voice heard through voting. Corporations are still trying to figure it all out.

Social injustices that have overcome the breath of the nation have forced some of them to look in the mirror and put practices together to be more inclusive companies.  Not at the bottom but at the top of the organizations - leading. Being forced to be diverse and inclusive is always difficult. Responding with knee jerk policies is always difficult. Doing the right thing in a thoughtful right and process building way is always difficult; but, it will yield the greatest positive results for your customers, your brand and your bottom line.

While there were a lot of history-making firsts yesterday; let’s all take a breath and think what have been our firsts; and, do we have the ability to contribute to any additional history-making firsts? Now, exhale and let us all commit to doing our part in making firsts for our legacies.

 
Sonya Ruff Jarvis, is the Managing Member of Jarvis Consultants and the Founder of the eRetailer Summit and JC Event Group. An expert in her field, Sonya has been published in numerous retail industry b-to-b publications.  Sonya shares her experiences in her book series Mindful Minutes:  A Marketer’s Journey Through Business.  In addition, Sonya collaborated in publishing an anthology, Mentoring Moments:  14 Remarkable Women Share Their Breakthroughs to Success. Purchase Sonya’s books here.

Sonya has a M.B.A. in Marketing. She is married and has a daughter.  

Follow Sonya on twitter at @jarvisconsult or @eretailersummit

 

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