Global Economic Outlook might be bleak but Hong Kong landlords are really bullish about the Rents that they can get. Specifically commercial rents have gone up dramatically and it is becoming impossible for some of the small & medium businesses to survive or even bigger businesses to reconsider their locations.
Two of my best relationships ended this month.
The neighbourhood Starbucks in my office building closed down to be replaced with a Pacific Coffee. So we’ll get our coffee but not the relationships that the ever enthusiastic Starbucks staff had with all of us. I have been in this office for over three years – so the Starbucks staff had come to know me & my preferences. They knew exactly what I drink in the morning, post lunch and sometimes in the evenings. They were the silent observers to my highs & lows over last 3 years. It felt weird when I saw them close for the final time.
Another relationship that ended this month was my Barber shop. It was a shop owned & managed by young people who were fun to talk with. I have known them for over 6 years and as a result I never had to explain anything to them. They exactly understood what I wanted & never failed to deliver it. But unfortunately all of them went out of business. They said they would reopen some place cheaper but don’t know when. I promised them that whenever they open – they can count on me to come by.
I think as trivial as it sounds… these were deep brand relationships as they provided me with great value and understood me as a human being – made small conversations – made me feel special.
Made me wonder – how many times brands really make an effort to build genuine relationships & nurture them over a period of time?
