Relationships become shackles.
In order to succeed, every company must build strong relationships – with employees, customers, suppliers, lenders, and investors.
Laura and Bernard Ashley worked diligently to win the hearts of new customers, franchisees, and investors at every step of their company’s expansion.
Harvey Firestone, Sr., maintained close friendships with his customers, provided loans out of his own pocket to struggling tire dualers during the Great Depression, and socialized with many of his company’s top executives.
Firestone and the Ashleys, like many successful executives, wove the warp of economic transactions with the woof of social relationships to strengthen the fabric of their companies.