"When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity.
A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude."
Elie Wiesel
Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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"Joy is the simplest form of Gratitude."
Karl Barth
Swiss Theologian, 1886 - 1968
Stop Reading Business Books
“Executives should read fewer management books. I don't mean that reading is a waste of their time; on the contrary, they should read more. The question is what to read. My own view is that only one book in 20 should be a business book.”
The most remarkable thing about this statement is its author. These words were written by one of the most successful business book authors of all time: Jim Collins, author “Good to Great,” “Great by Choice” and “How the Mighty Fall.”
In a short article that originally appeared in Inc. Magazine, Mr. Collins suggests that “you can improve your leadership capabilities by drinking deeply from the well of great books that have been published in a wide variety of disciplines…..outstanding leaders and thinkers often get their best insights by reading outside their primary field.“
The article, “Book Value,” is reproduced on Mr. Collin’s’ website and further explains the need to read more widely outside the field of business. He then offers nine non- business books to make you a better business person.
Maybe reading one of these books would be an enjoyable and valuable activity over the holidays?
Are These Trends Your Friends?
Year end is a good time for executives to go to 50,000 feet and consider the big picture and the trends that will matter most. Vistage Speaker, Strategy Facilitator and President of Optimize, Inc. Marc Emmer offers his usual year-end wisdom to augment your planning endeavors. Check out his videos and articles on the following trends:
Webinar: @Business Trends for 2025 & Beyond
For Vistage: Economic trends for 2025 and beyond
Business Trends for 2025 and Beyond: #Inflation
Business Trends for 2025 and Beyond: Long-Term #Debt Cycle
Business Trends for 2025 and Beyond: #Mergers & #Acquisitions
Podcast Recommendation: The Dividend Cafe
A “Force Multiplier” for the CEO
There’s an old saying, “the right tool for the right job!” That adage applies to AI as well. Many C-Level executives have been exploring the use of an AI Chat Bot, but haven’t moved past the first one they tried…or they’re using Co-Pilot because it comes free with Microsoft Edge
Vistage speaker and IT Security Expert Mike Foster (who just spoke to my CEO group in October) asks “why have just one star player on your team when you can have several?" While many executives have found remarkable success with one platform, utilizing multiple chatbots can unlock even greater value…..Using multiple chatbots is a force multiplier.”
This article from Mr. Foster compares how different chatbots excel at specific tasks - from technical troubleshooting to strategic communication. Check out his short blog post Which AI Chatbot is Best? The Executive’s Guide for When to Use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity
Econ Recon:
“As good as it gets?” In his latest FedWatch, ITR Economics’ Brian Beaulieu looks at the recent inflation rates and what that means for short interest rates after the Fed meeting this week….and how long we can count on this level of short-term interest rates…or long rates that impact homeownership and long-term capital investment. Mr. Beaulieu says it’s time to think strategically because when it comes to interest rates, 2025 may be “as good as it gets.”
An Irresponsible Addiction: We’re hearing a lot about the newly created DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) to be co-chaired by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. In an earlier post, economist Brian Wesbury unpacked the various types of government spendings and challenges of reducing each. In a new post, he explores why the economy grew despite the Fed’s tighter monetary policy…and what happens to that growth if government spending is reduced. A very interesting article about how interest rates, productivity and deficits interact. Check out “Irresponsible and Addictive Deficits”
Friends,
I wish you a joyful holiday season. We have much to be grateful for!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and
a Happy and Successful New Year to all!
Scott
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