THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

_{THE AVNIR BLOG}

Rethinking Change: Why Strategic Relationships Are the New Competitive Edge

In today’s business landscape—shaped by AI, automation, supply chain volatility, and talent shortages—traditional change management just won’t cut it. In his latest piece, David Nour urges leaders to embrace change leadership instead: a proactive, relationship-centered approach to driving transformation. Real change isn’t just about better planning—it’s about intentionally engaging your most strategic relationships. From personal sounding boards to functional allies and high-impact strategic connections, the depth and diversity of your relationships will determine how effectively you lead change from now to next.

Design Thinking + Systems Thinking = Relationship-Centric Impact.

By combining the human-centered creativity of Design Thinking with the holistic lens of Systems Thinking, leaders can build change initiatives that are not only effective but sustainable. Nour shares actionable strategies—from co-creation and early stakeholder engagement to building psychological safety—that help organizations foster a culture of relational excellence. His message is clear: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through people. And the leaders who invest in meaningful, strategic relationships will be the ones who thrive in a future defined by constant disruption.

CLIENT HIGHLIGHT

What if some of your most valuable stakeholders could step away from their daily obligations to focus on their personal and professional aspirations? That’s exactly what Bill Yanek, CEO of ConnexFM – the industry association for retail facilities management, envisioned after attending Avnir’s Relationship Economics Summit (RES’24). So, we collaborated to create the ConnexFM Leadership Summit at their National Conference in Denver, Colorado, this week. Nour delivered a full-day program for ConnexFM board members, key sponsors, and executive attendees. James Mylett, former SVP at Schneider Electric and now CEO of Smart Care, Eric McCarthey of Shelty-Viking Capital, and General Tom Bostick (Ret.), former Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, made significant contributions to their sessions on leadership, strategy, resilience, and board expectations.

The Avnir team designed its first trade show booth, showcasing book signings by Nour and Gen Bostick, along with an Inner Circle Podcast featuring James Mylett. Huge thanks to Bill and the ConnexFM team for hosting us.

RELATIONSHIP ECONOMICS SUMMIT

_RES’25

Relationship Economics Summit 2025

Next-Up Leadership Development Program

The Next-Up Leadership Development Program at RES’25 is built for emerging leaders ready to level up—and the setting is just as remarkable as the experience. Hosted at the picturesque Julep Farms in the foothills of Georgia, this immersive program combines relational intelligence training, mentorship, and interactive workshops in a setting designed to spark growth and inspiration. It’s more than leadership development—it’s a moment to rise, reset, and step into what’s next.

Senior Executive Symposium

Designed for seasoned leaders navigating complex growth, the Senior Executive Symposium at RES’25 is an invite-only, high-caliber experience focused on strategic relationships and long-term value creation. Set in the charming mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina at the renowned Old Edwards Inn, this exclusive gathering blends peer-level exchanges and thought leadership with a backdrop that encourages reflection, connection, and clarity. It’s an inspiring environment for bold conversations and strategic breakthroughs.

MEET THE TEAM

_{Avnir Team}

The Dream Team!

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb

We believe relationships are the true currency of every business—and that belief starts with the Avnir team. Nour, our visionary CEO & Founder, brings together a powerhouse of talent and experience in enterprise SaaS. Pete Karl II (PK2), our CTO leads our AI development bringing bold vision and technical leadership to everything we build, while David Kelly steers our go-to-market strategy with clarity and intent. Michael Boyd champions our Customer Success efforts, ensuring every client experience is seamless and impactful, and Jeff Pankhurst fuels our growth through dynamic marketing and sales strategies. Jolie Gaston is our team’s glue with a sharp eye for operational excellence, while learning and growing into channel and end customer partnerships. Together, we’re creating an AI platform to help business professionals nurture their most valuable relationships. We’re always looking for sharp, committed, exceptional talent.