Tea Time At Thanksgiving

By Matthew Schweitzer, Vice President - North Rim Partners

My daughter and I had the privilege of visiting Japan for 2 weeks in November. It was a very special experience because anyone that knows me is aware of my fondness and appreciation for the Japanese culture and I feel like there are a lot of things to learn from the Japanese.

While we were in Japan, we had the honor to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. I was astonished by the incredible amount of attention to detail as well as the impressive quality of service that our tea host provided. As we made our way through the ceremony, I learned that every aspect of it carries a meaning and has been meticulously thought out and planned, from the preparation of the tea to the way it is served.

Even as a participant, we had our own set of requirements; sitting a certain way on the floor, accepting the tea cup correctly, turning the cup and wiping off the brim. I felt like I was partaking in a very rare and special ceremony, one that I hope to participate in again. The tea ceremony was a very methodical ritual and it made me realize how in the business world, technology has allowed us to communicate at the speed of light as well as get frustrated when we don’t get what we want just as fast.

At North Rim, we have worked hard to be able to move at the speed that our clients require. But, we have also spent a lot of time working to improve the quality of our work, not just in the physical product that we create, but also in our ability to offer an excellent service.

We want to thank all of the companies and people that have put their trust in us this past year. Also, we want to wish everyone a great holiday season and we hope that you have time to enjoy the company of your family and friends.

Here’s to a prosperous 2010.