"sure, we all need money. but I think we need chemistry more."

[“Hugged”, which went out earlier this year in the newsletter. You can buy the print here etc.]

I love the backstory to the “Hug” cartoon above:

My mother, in her day, was a very successful education software consultant. “Have you hugged your client today?” was her line, not mine.

She always had about 6-10 Blue Chip clients on board at one time. Companies like Shell, Exxon, Coco-Cola etc.

And no matter what kind of day she was having, EVERY DAY she would make some kind of effort to demonstrate to each and every client that… she cared, that this stuff mattered, that she was willing to go the extra mile.

And it worked. It certainly paid for me and my sister’s education.

“Hugging clients” is really a no-brainer.

Unless you don’t really like your clients. Unless you’re just in it it for the money.

Then it just feels sleazy and wrong.

There’s nothing wrong with insisting on good chemistry, before you commit fully to working with someone.

Sure, we all need money. But I think we need chemistry more.

[P.S. Speaking of chemistry, I’m really grokking the work I’m doing with Rackspace at the moment. Thank CHRIST for people like Rob La Gesse etc.]