Gratitude Delivered: Three Reasons to Be Grateful

Derived from the Latin word “gratus,” meaning pleasing or thankful, gratitude encompasses a sense of appreciation and acknowledgment of kindness received. The very essence of gratitude lies in recognizing and valuing the contributions of others, creating a reciprocal exchange of positive energy. Gratitude is more than just a fleeting emotion; it is a powerful force that can shape our perspectives and influence our actions.

When I consider things for which I feel a deep sense of gratitude in my professional life at Parker Avery, they are in this order:

1. Parker Avery’s partnership with Retail ROI and commitment to our Jamaican Entrepreneur Development Initiative (JEDI) Challenge
2. The unparalleled firm culture Parker Avery’s leadership team has cultivated over our nearly 17-year journey
3. Our strong, collaborative client relationships that enable us to drive meaningful value as well as afford new opportunities for our team

In the context of the three items listed, gratitude serves as a driving force, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the immediate participants. When individuals and organizations express gratitude, it creates a culture of appreciation and collaboration, fostering an environment where everyone’s contributions are acknowledged and valued. Let me unpack these three areas.

It was only three years ago when Parker Avery’s relationship with the Retail Orphan Initiative began with our first sponsorship of their Super Saturday event. Because it was still during the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire event was virtual, but still a great success. That year, keynote speaker Darryl McDaniels of RunDMC engaged the entirely remote audience with his inspirational story of adoption and struggling young life.

That initial Super Saturday sponsorship led us to develop the Jamaican Entrepreneur Development Initiative (JEDI) Challenge and inspired us as a firm and individually to embrace several other goodwill initiatives in Pune, India as well as university partnerships in the United States.

We recently completed the third year of Parker Avery’s JEDI Challenge. One of the most heartening aspects of this goodwill initiative is the genuine sense of gratitude expressed by both the recipients and the Parker Avery team involved as JEDI Counselors. The entrepreneurs, grateful for the opportunity to turn their visions into reality with the backing of an experienced mentorship network and seed funding, exemplify the transformative power of gratitude. Simultaneously, the Parker Avery team experiences gratitude for the chance to contribute to the growth of these promising ventures and witness firsthand the positive change they can instigate.

I have immense personal gratitude for the relationship I’ve developed with three Jamaican children, whom I sponsor through the Fergus Simpson Foundation. On my last two trips down to Chapelton with RetailROI this year, I had the rare and rewarding opportunity to not only meet these three young sisters in person but also spend several days with them. We played games, drew pictures, and sang silly songs. I cooked them breakfast, we ate meals together, and we did a mini fashion show.

The foundation of gratitude is intricately woven into Parker Avery’s culture over our almost 17-year journey. Our leadership’s commitment to fostering an environment of collaboration, support, and appreciation has become the cornerstone of our firm’s strength and success. Gratitude is the recognition of each individual’s contributions, the celebration of shared victories, and the acknowledgment of the collective journey that has defined The Parker Avery Group.

This culture of gratitude acts as a catalyst for innovation, teamwork, and a sense of purpose, creating a workplace where our consulting team feels valued and inspired to contribute their best to Parker Avery. We often have internal discussions about how we can make our firm stronger and better. Typically not prompted by anything more than a team member’s idea or some inspiration from LinkedIn, other channels, or even Parker Avery clients, we are continually exploring new ways of working and improving, as well as confidently surfacing these with our leadership team to make them into reality.

Gratitude delivered, internally.

At the heart of our firm lies a profound sense of gratitude cultivated through the strong and collaborative relationships we’ve forged with Parker Avery’s many retail and CPG clients. These partnerships not only allow us to drive meaningful value for our clients, as evidenced through hundreds of published case studies, but also create new and exciting opportunities for our dedicated team.

In a testament to the power of gratitude, Parker Avery’s partnership with the Retail Orphan Initiative sparked a chain of goodwill efforts, both as a firm and with our team members. Certainly, the JEDI Challenge stands as a guiding light and inspiration. This spirit of gratitude extends internally, with a culture that fosters an environment where ideas flourish, and discussions center around making our firm stronger and better, while keenly focusing on client satisfaction. Externally, our profound client relationships reflect a reciprocal exchange of gratitude, driving meaningful value and creating opportunities for both our clients and our dedicated team. In every dimension—globally, internally, and with our clients—gratitude is not just acknowledged but delivered.