Thor's Hammer

Understanding our personalities and the personalities of those around us can be incredibly beneficial in our personal and professional lives. It can help us communicate more effectively, improve our relationships, and even find the best careers for us. The first step in this process is discovering our personality type, and one of the best ways to do this is by taking the free personality test at https://www.humanmetrics.com/personality. The humanmetrics personality test is based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a widely-used personality assessment tool that categorizes people into 16 different personality types. The test will give you a four-letter personality type that describes your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences by answering a series of questions about how you perceive and interact with the world around you.

It's important to remember that personality types are not right or wrong; they simply are. Each personality type has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these can help us work on our weaknesses and leverage our strengths. Personality types can also help us understand why we may clash with certain people or why we may click with others. College-age students can use the information they gain from discovering their personality type to explore careers that may interest them. For example, if you have a personality type that values order and structure, you may be well-suited for a career in accounting or engineering. On the other hand, if you have a personality type that values creativity and innovation, you may be better suited for a career in the arts or marketing.

In conclusion, discovering your personality type can be of great value to better understand yourself and others. The humanmetrics personality test is a great way to get started, and the best part is that it's completely free. So why not take the test and see what you can learn about yourself? Remember, personality types are not right or wrong; they simply are. They can help us communicate more effectively, improve our relationships, and even find the best careers for us.



Connect with me!

I'm Jim Lindell of Thorsten Consulting. If your organization or association needs a speaker for a keynote or breakout session on practical business topics, please call me.
In addition, if you or your team needs executive coaching or leadership development, I can help your staff reach a higher level. Please give me a call. Thank you for your time.

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

I want to talk to you about ChatGPT and ESG. I think ChatGPT is a phenomenal tool and will change everything we do in business today. I want to highlight a concern as I asked ChatGPT about ESG. I gave it two questions that were identical other than one word. One sentence was: argue against companies adopting ESG. And the other was: to argue for companies adopting ESG.

Here is the response to the first question, argue against companies adopting ESG.
" As an AI language model, It is important to present our arguments on both sides of an issue. Even if I personally believe that adopting ESG (environmental, social and governance) is beneficial for companies and society as a whole. So here are some potential arguments against companies adopting ESG. " The preceding was verbatim from ChatGPT.

ChatGPT provided a nice list of arguments against adopting ESG. The first was increased costs, one of the concerns of CFOs today. Does it cost too much to follow an ESG agenda? Second, ESG policies may have a limited impact on the environment or society. The third concern was that there might be a competitive disadvantage because the competitors may not adopt ESG and incur costs or compliance issues. The fourth item was a lack of standardization. Across the globe, people are interpreting ESG in very different ways. As a result, there isn't one standard report being used, and comparisons are difficult. And finally, the risk of shareholder backlash. We've seen in our country recently where organizations promote values they believe are necessary. Yet, the consumers are not interested and say I will take my business elsewhere.

Next, I asked ChatGPT to argue for companies adopting ESG. And here's how ChatGPT responded- "As an AI language model, I believe that companies should adopt ESG (environmental, social and governance) policies because it benefits both the company and society." Here are some arguments in favor of companies adopting ESG:

1. A company can improve its reputation. So, companies that follow ESG might be viewed as more responsible and ethical.
2. Companies can reduce risk. Suppose companies employ more tools and tactics to monitor the items that impact the environment, society and governance. In that case, there's a good chance that they will eliminate risks that could hurt the company.
3. Companies can increase innovation and creativity with ESG policies.
4. Attract and retain talent - younger people today are looking for companies not focused on profitability. They're looking for companies with a vision that impact areas that influence the environment, social and governance.
5. Long-term financial performance. ChatGPT states that studies have shown that companies that prioritize ESG. Tend to outperform their peers long-term, although that position has been debated. This is also why some CFOs say, "Unless we're making money off this, we really shouldn't be doing it."

Both positions for and against are pretty well presented from ChatGPT. However, the concern that I have is with the bias of ChatGPT. I asked two separate questions; argue for and argue against ESG. Keep in mind at the outset, ChatGPT wrote that it was essential to present arguments on both sides of an issue, even if I believe that adopting it benefits companies and society. However, when I asked ChatGPT to argue for companies adopting ESG, it never mentioned that there were both sides to the argument. It just wrote I believe that a company should adopt ESG policies because it is beneficial. ChatGPT didn't mention anything about having two sides to the argument.

What is the lesson?

As we use ChatGPT, remember to question the information for potential bias. ChatGPT is revolutionizing the way we are and will be conducting business. The expansion of AI tools will be tremendous in the following months. Learn and adopt with caution.


Connect with me!

I'm Jim Lindell of Thorsten Consulting. If your organization or association needs a speaker for a keynote or breakout session on practical business topics, please call me.
In addition, if you or your team needs executive coaching or leadership development, I can help your staff reach a higher level. Please give me a call. Thank you for your time.

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

Leading a successful business planning retreat can help an organization set a clear direction, establish priorities, and develop a plan to achieve its goals. Here are some steps to follow when planning and conducting a successful business planning retreat:

1. Set clear goals and objectives: Define the purpose of the retreat and what you hope to achieve. Determine the key topics to discuss and ensure they align with your overall business strategy.
2. Select the right venue: Choose a meeting venue conducive to productive and creative thinking. Ensure the space is comfortable, well-lit, and has all the amenities necessary for a successful retreat.
3. Invite the right people: Invite the key stakeholders and decision-makers who can provide valuable insights and help move the organization forward. Ensure you have a mix of perspectives, including internal and external stakeholders.
4. Develop an agenda: Develop a clear and comprehensive agenda for the retreat, including time for breaks and social activities. Make sure the agenda aligns with your goals and objectives.
5. Assign roles and responsibilities: Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure the retreat runs smoothly. Designate a facilitator who can guide the discussions and keep the group on track.
6. Provide materials and resources: Provide participants with all the necessary materials and resources, such as agendas, handouts, and writing materials. Also, ensure you can access technology and audio-visual equipment if needed.
7. Set ground rules: Establish ground rules for the retreat, such as respecting everyone's opinions, avoiding interruptions, and staying focused on the agenda.
8. Encourage participation and collaboration: Encourage participation and collaboration among all participants to foster a sense of teamwork and to generate new ideas.
9. Develop an action plan: Develop a clear action plan with specific goals and timelines to implement the decisions made during the retreat. Make sure to assign responsibilities for each action item.
10. Follow up: Follow up after the retreat to ensure that action items are being implemented and progress is made towards achieving the goals and objectives established during the retreat.

Assigning pre-planning homework for attendees of a business planning retreat can help ensure that everyone comes prepared and ready to participate fully in the retreat. Here are some types of pre-planning homework that can be assigned:

1. Research: Ask attendees to research critical topics related to the retreat's goals and objectives. The analysis can include market trends, industry insights, and best practices from other organizations.
2. SWOT analysis: Request that attendees conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the organization or a particular aspect of the business. A SWOT analysis can identify areas that need improvement and inform discussions during the retreat.
3. Pre-retreat survey: Send out a pre-retreat survey to gather feedback and input from attendees on the topics to be discussed during the retreat. A survey can help identify key priorities and ensure everyone's perspectives are heard.
4. Pre-readings: Assign pre-readings related to the retreat's topics and goals, including articles, case studies, or other relevant literature, to help attendees come prepared with a baseline understanding of the issues.
5. Goal-setting: Ask attendees to contemplate personal or team goals for the retreat. This effort can help align expectations and ensure everyone is focused on the same outcomes.
6. Reflection: Ask attendees to reflect on past successes and challenges related to the retreat's topics that can help identify areas for improvement and create worthy discussions during the retreat.

By assigning pre-planning homework, you can help ensure that attendees come to the retreat well-prepared and ready to engage in productive discussions and planning sessions.

An outside facilitator can be helpful when conducting business planning for several reasons:

1. Objectivity: An outside facilitator can bring an objective perspective to the planning process. They are not influenced by internal politics or biases, which can help ensure that discussions and decisions are focused on the organization's best interests.
2. Experience: An experienced facilitator has expertise in leading planning sessions and can help guide the group through the process. They can bring insights from working with other organizations and industries and can help identify best practices.
3. Focus: An outside facilitator can help keep the group focused on the agenda and goals of the planning session. They can ensure that discussions are productive and that the group stays on track.
4. Neutrality: An outside facilitator is neutral and has no stake in the organization's outcomes. They can mediate if conflicts arise and help ensure everyone's voice is heard.
5. Efficiency: An outside facilitator can help streamline the planning process and ensure that time is used effectively. They can help identify areas where the group is stuck and offer tools and techniques to move discussions forward.

Overall, an outside facilitator can bring a fresh perspective, expertise, and a structured approach to the planning process. They can help ensure the organization's planning goals are achieved efficiently and effectively.


Connect with me

My name is Jim Lindell. I'm a CSP-certified speaking professional and an executive coach, and I have been doing both for the last couple of decades. Please contact me if your conference needs an entertaining, practical business speaker for keynotes or breakout sessions. If you'd like to see your career grow, please talk to me about being your executive coach.


Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

I want to talk to you about why businesses fail. If you like the information that I'm providing, please subscribe to my channel. I intend to give you more and more business techniques and tips to help you succeed in your career. But today, we'll focus on why businesses fail.

Consider the image in the video; the ultimate problem is business failure at the center, but what leads to this? At the very start, people make bad decisions, or they might even make no decisions, but either way, that action winds up impacting the organization. Then, we typically see poor decisions' impact on your income statement. It impacts your profitability – the wrong decisions will ultimately hurt your profits. As profits start to be reduced, the cash and the working capital erode. I often joke that no company has failed due to running out of cash or working capital, and I tease people because failure is often thought of as "running out of cash" or "lack of working capital" as the chief reasons for going out of business.

Unfortunately, companies go out of business because of the bad decisions that were made or not, impacting profitability. As a result, profitability decreased, resulting in cash erosion and, finally, organization failure. The real reason that business fails is because of incompetent management teams because they are the ones that act or fail to act. Management decisions, actions or lack of action drives the business. There can always be unique situations, such as the Fukushima tsunami or the COVID-19 virus, that force companies to close. However, even these events should have generated some prevention planning as part of the strategic planning process. There should have been an identification of threats that would have included severe events, as mentioned, and resulting discussion of actions to be taken. The question should have been, what happens if our business gets shut down for a while? And accordingly, what steps should we take today to protect the organization?


Connect with me

My name is Jim Lindell. I'm a CSP-certified speaking professional and an executive coach, and I have been doing both for the last couple of decades. Please contact me if your conference needs an entertaining, practical business speaker for keynotes or breakout sessions. If you'd like to see your career grow, please talk to me about being your executive coach.


Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

Recently, I saw a quote from General Douglas Macarthur:

"We are not retreating. We are just advancing in another direction."

I love the quote's simplicity and positivity. Too often, we continue on a particular path in our personal lives and business careers, when perhaps we should choose an alternate route. It's not always easy to see where the alternate path may end up, but the current direction might lead us into a terrible situation or severe limitations. Whenever we can assess the situation, ask ourselves, "are there alternatives out there that would be worth considering in our business and our careers as well?" We should determine where we or our business is going utilizing strategic planning. Also, consider contingency and succession plans in case something happens. For example, when facilitating strategic planning, people ask me, "Should businesses have seen Covid coming?" And the answer is yes, absolutely, they should have. Now when I say that, that's tongue in cheek because we might not have recognized Covid specifically. Still, somebody in the strategic planning process should have said, what if something happens, like a tsunami, an electromagnetic pulse, something ridiculous that could shut down our business? At least at that point, someone would have said, "let's talk about what happens if the company gets impacted severely. This allows us to discuss contingencies or even succession planning. So when you think about your career or business, constantly evaluate alternative paths. Be aware of events or concerns that might force you to use an alternative approach. Most importantly, take the time to prepare yourself or your company for any of these areas that could significantly impact your organization.


Connect with me

My name is Jim Lindell. I'm a CSP-Certified Speaking Professional and an executive coach, and I have been doing both for the last couple of decades. Please contact me if your conference needs an entertaining, practical business speaker for keynotes or breakout sessions. If you'd like to see your career grow, please talk to me about being your executive coach.


Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

Nature can provide businesses with valuable insights. Nature’s complex systems and adaptive strategies can be used to inform decision-making and identify new opportunities. By studying the strategies used in nature, businesses can gain valuable lessons that can be applied to their operations.


First, let’s consider Meerkats. A group of meerkats stand up and look around to protect themselves from predators. They are constantly on alert and use the power of their collective vigilance to remain safe. This is an example of a reactive outlook, where a response is made based on external stimuli. The strategic outlook of a company is very different. Companies look ahead to anticipate changes in the market, identify opportunities, and make proactive decisions to optimize their operations. Companies use a range of analytical tools to assess their competitive environment and make decisions that will secure their competitive advantage. This type of outlook is proactive, rather than reactive, as it attempts to anticipate potential threats and capitalize on emerging trends. The two outlooks are very different, but both are important for survival. Meerkats must remain alert to protect themselves from predators, while companies must be forward-looking in order to remain competitive. Both outlooks require a certain level of vigilance and awareness in order to be successful.


Second, let’s marvel at the Eagle. An eagle has great vision which allows it to spot fish in the water from high altitudes. The eagle uses its keen eyesight to quickly identify potential prey and swoop in for the kill. This type of vision is based on instinct and is reactive, responding to external stimuli. A business also needs great vision, but in a different sense. Companies must look ahead to anticipate changes in the market, identify opportunities, and make proactive decisions to optimize their operations. Companies use a range of analytical tools to assess their competitive environment and make decisions that will secure their competitive advantage. This type of vision is proactive, rather than reactive, as it attempts to anticipate potential threats and capitalize on emerging trends. The two types of vision are very different, but both are important for success. Eagles need sharp vision to spot prey, while businesses need to be able to anticipate changes in order to remain competitive. Both require a level of awareness and insight to be successful.


Finally, consider Ducks and Geese. Ducks and geese fly in formation to reduce the effort for those farther back. By flying close together and in a V-shaped pattern, the birds can take advantage of the air currents created by the front birds, reducing the effort and energy required for the journey. This type of teamwork is instinctive and reactive, responding to external stimuli. Business teams also help one another out, but in a different way. Companies rely on their employees to work together and share knowledge to increase efficiency and productivity. This type of teamwork is proactive, rather than reactive, as it encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing to achieve a common goal. The two types of teamwork are very different, but both are essential for success. Ducks and geese must work together in the air to reduce their collective effort, while business teams must cooperate to reach their objectives. Both require a level of cooperation and collaboration to be successful.


Connect with me

My name is Jim Lindell. I'm a CSP-certified speaking professional and an executive coach, and I have been doing both for the last couple of decades. Please contact me if your conference needs an entertaining, practical business speaker for keynotes or breakout sessions. If you'd like to see your career grow, please talk to me about being your executive coach.


Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

I want to talk to you about Buc-ee’s because I've finally crossed it off my bucket list. I speak all over the country and brag about Kwik Trip, an excellent gas station in the Midwest, and it's fantastic. They have clean restrooms and great convenience products. Attendees at my seminars would ask if I stopped at Buc-ee's yet.

So I tried to find out more about it because I was interested. Recently, I was driving from near Asheville, North Carolina, to Nashville, Tennessee. When I came across my first Buc-ee's, I had to stop and check it out. It was fascinating, with "tens" of gas pumps and a convenience store similar to a small Walmart. After filling up, customers go into Buc-ee's for food, apparel, souvenirs, and restrooms. So as I walked in with great anticipation, there was Buck-ee in costume. I ran up to him and asked if I could get a picture. I put my arm around him, and another Buc-ee's employee took the picture. I was so excited to be there, and I told everyone this was my first visit to a Buc-ee's.

As you walk through the store, you'll notice different areas and the size of the store; there are so many other things—souvenirs, clothing, and lots and lots of food, but what Buc-ee’s is famous for is their restrooms. So in the video, you can see an image of the world-famous restrooms. I didn't take pictures in the restrooms, but they were spotless. You will appreciate Buc-ee's if you've ever stopped at a gas station with dirty restrooms. As I walked out of Buc-ee's, I noticed they had another statue of Buc-ee, the mascot, and took another photo.

It seems like all businesses today are recruiting. Buc-ee's is no different, and they need people too. Outside the building, they had a recruiting sign encouraging people to apply to work for Buc-ee's. They offered significant wages and fringe benefits.


Connect with me

My name is Jim Lindell. I'm a CSP-certified speaking professional and an executive coach, and I have been doing both for the last couple of decades. Please contact me if your conference needs an entertaining, practical business speaker for keynotes or breakout sessions. If you'd like to see your career grow, please talk to me about being your executive coach.


Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlindell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorlessons

How can we make “Better Mistakes Tomorrow? Using a simple 5-step approach, our mistakes become fantastic platforms for growth. Yes they may be painful, but in the long run there is wisdom, knowledge and growth in our mistakes.

If you want to increase your sales, focus on customer pain. Benefits of your products and needs of the customer are important. However buy decisions will first focus on customer pain. The customer may not even recognize the underlying reason that select your product or service. #sales #salestechniques #CPA #CEO #vpsales #coaching #salescoaching

PART 4 - 4 Essential Considerations Before Going into Business! Part 1 – Why be your own boss? Part 2 – Ideas and dreams. Part 3 – Risk. Part 4 – Your significant Other. These items precede your business plan, entity creation, and business structure. This video is the 4th and final consideration #entrepreneur #startup #startupadvice #coaching #boss #CFO #cpa #franchisee #franchise

PART 3 - 4 Essential Considerations Before Going into Business! Part 1 – Why be your own boss? Part 2 – Ideas and dreams. Part 3 – Risk. Part 4 – Your significant Other. These items precede your business plan, entity creation, and business structure. This video is the 2nd consideration #entrepreneur #startup #startupadvice #coaching #boss #CFO #cpa #franchisee #franchise

PART 2 - 4 Essential Considerations Before Going into Business! Part 1 – Why be your own boss? Part 2 – Ideas and dreams. Part 3 – Risk. Part 4 – Your significant Other. These items precede your business plan, entity creation, and business structure. This video is the 2nd consideration #entrepreneur #startup #startupadvice #coaching #boss #CFO #cpa #franchisee

Recall the idiom, "Practice Makes Perfect?" In society, we can see our sports heroes, political leaders and business leaders blatantly lie. It typically is a habit, refined over the years, and practiced regularly. Avoid it like the plague. #ethics #lying #cpas #controllers #cfos #leaders

4 Essential Considerations Before Going into Business! Part 1 – Why be your own boss? Part 2 – Ideas and dreams. Part 3 – Risk. Part 4 – Your significant Other. These items precede your business plan, entity creation, and business structure. This video is the 1st consideration #entrepreneur #startup #startupadvice #coaching #boss

Registration is Open! Please join me on December 28 for your Year-end CPE. Please visit https://thorstenconsulting.com/webcasts to Register. Year-end CPE for CPAs, Controllers, CFOs, Accountants, Accounting Professionals "Controller/CFO Strategic Outlook-2023," or "Data and Predictive Analytics / Business Intelligence." You can also register for both at the same time.