I've been using LinkedIn to network with colleagues and friends for some time now.  Like all the social networks, sometimes you find the person you want, and sometimes you don't (if you know what I mean).  Recently, I connected with an old friend and colleague, Ben Perez.  Most people in the list business know Ben as President of Millard Group (unless you lived under a rock).  With all the changes to Millard Group these last couple of years, I'm not too sure what Ben's position is, but nontheless, he's a well respected veteran of the list business and a good person to know. 

As we all know, Millard Group isn't what we remember it to be.  Just ask the several employess that have been let go over the last couple of years since infoGroup purchased it.  It's just never been the same.  I do remember Ben ran an excellent company; one that I always respected and hoped I could emulate with my list business. 

Well things have changed.  For Millard and for the rest of the list industry.  I'm not putting all the blame on infoGroup; I think a little thing like the economy had something to do with it.  But does a company lose its backbone in hard times?  I mean, when things get tough, do we forget to do the little things that got us here in the first place?  What happened to the personal service that separated you from all the other companies.  These are the little things people used to remember about you.  It's why our industry used to be about relationships, and not just about undercutting commissions. 

Well, I wish Millard Group; Millard/Mokrynski; Millard Group; Direct Media/Millard all the best.  I'm not afraid of some friendly competition; particularly with good people like Ben Perez.  Hey Ben, do you remember how we used to play basketball with a bunch of colleagues at the DMA conferences?  I remember one time many years ago in Miami when we wouldn't throw Michael Miller the ball.  I think we made him cry.