This is an auspicious time to launch Capital Insight Partners.  Somehow, it seems like overnight, we're living in a new and very different world.  Maybe it was just sneaking up on us.

Barack Obama will be the Democratic presidential nominee.  His opponent, John McCain, is healthy and energetic and showing us that age is just a number.  Gas prices are up 31%, probably aren't going down, and many countries are saying "welcome to our world."  General Motors announced plans to shut down SUV factories and may discontinue its Hummer line.  Travel is less convenient and certainly more expensive.  Mighty financial institutions have been humbled. The financial markets currently offer a lot more questions than answers.

If there was ever a time to take a fresh look at things, including how companies communicate their values and goals to customers, investors and employees, this is it.  Things will settle down.  But it's hard to imagine things will ever be the same.  The decisions we make, starting today, will have a profound effect on the future.

Despite the discomfort the "new reality" is causing (and change is seldom a comfortable process!), we at Capital Insight are also excited.  We see new opportunities for companies. We see fresh and creative ways to communicate those opportunities.  There are new ways for businesses to obtain capital and build shareholder value.

It's pretty clear that doing and looking at things differently are going to be America's and the world's marching orders for years to come.  So we think it's a great time to do our part by offering companies new and effective strategies to help them grow and prosper in these challenging yet exciting times!

Tad Gage