Giving Thanks As The Calendar Turns

Facebook always politely asks me "What's on your mind?" Linked In orders me to "Start a post." Tik Tok clearly doesn't care, evidently, as it just starts shooting stuff in my face -but that's something to unpeel another time...

Sorry in advance for a long-ish post. You've been warned! ;-)

What is on my mind is appreciation and pride for the company we've built over the last 3 decades, on the eve of us once again getting together to learn, grow and celebrate. And, Linked In tells me that I've met nearly 10,000 of you (for the most part, in person, 1st person connections from doing workshops or meeting you in some meaningful way at the time), and as I reflect on the new year, I just wanted to day thanks for being part of my world.

I think it is ok to feel pride in the work we, collectively, do, and in our accomplishments - both big and small. And I think it's polite to say "thank you" to those who've participated in the journey. And, while I'm late for Thanksgiving, this note attempts to give thanks as part of a calendar-turning hygiene.

Obviously, we know that the global environment is a mixed bag. Some of you feel recent Covid clouds are parting and that has opened up business opportunities. Some are worried about layoffs as global economic recession shows signs of forming. Either way, as you gear up for 2023, I'd encourage you to take stock of your own accomplishments, and those of your organization. And I'd love for you to share them below.

We can all use a little positivity in our lives.

In the last 36 months your business probably faced multiple challenges that collectively were an order of magnitude larger than any we've faced over the past couple decades.

Personally, as I look upon my last three decades @BTS (who DOES that anymore?), I'm reflecting on what each of us on @LinkedIn has accomplished in our own little way. Further, I'm thinking that we should allow ourselves a little grace to celebrate, and some space to tell our commercial community what we're proud of as we enter 2023. And, of course, to say thank you.

I'll go first. But I'd love to hear your story too, so please reply if you have a moment!

Many of you know me from the days before we had cell phones- when overheads and acetates and unhealthy (but YUMMY) cookie trays ruled group facilitation. If one were fancy, they used dot matrix printers to supply feedback. And facilitation was always in person.

During those BTS formative years, I'll admit, we felt a bit like a cross between Moe, Curly, and Larry and the Dread Pirate Roberts - Taking on challenges that we shouldn't, but somehow, getting it done. Sometimes, even with a little style!

Against that backdrop, we had one value proposition - we helped executives get smarter on their business and people leadership leveraging simulation experiences as a tool. Things changed slowly.

But change has changed.

When C-19 hit, 70% of our business was in face-to-face meetings, off-sites, and development experiences...We acted quickly, took prudent business steps (raised a ton of cash globally) and eschewed others "prudent" practices (we retained all our talent). We initiated conversations with all our clients and began making virtual the new normal.

As proof of that continued success, our 13% average growth over 34 years with 17% margins speaks volumes about how we've navigated competitive realities to create a more modern, and dare I say, "cool" consulting approach to the market.

We've evolved to become our client's broader people partner. Our quiver obviously still includes essential components necessary to drive better @business acumen - all aspects of your business, your client's business, and simulating your ecosystem interactions with key stakeholders from each entity.

But with the help, inspiration & co-creation of amazing clients, we've added arrows to our quiver in the effort to help clients change and transform: #Leadership from top to bottom (lots of #DEI engagements this last year), #Assessments - for cultural, personal, team and organizational change readiness, #Coaching- for executive teams and for the masses, #Innovation to solve for being "stuck" somehow, #Sales and Marketing pivoted to support & evolve organizational desired selling motions, and we've added tuck in acquisitions to support all these efforts. Results? Last year, we co-created solutions that won 44 Brandon Hall awards (our industry's Oscar Award) for positive impact with you, our clients.

Paraphrasing the words of less enlightened times, "we've come a long way" (leaving out the "...baby" part, cuz I'm so mature ;-) )

Big thanks to those who've influenced me over the years: Internally, I'll call out Jonas Akerman , @HenrikEkelund, Philios Andreou , Joel Sigrist , Todd Ehrlich Dan Parisi , Jessica Skon , Lou Schachter , Per St?hle and Kathryn Clubb . And an amazing Marine, mentor and man, the recently departed Richard Dapra .

Externally, I'll call out the many clients (who became friends) that had the vision to push, challenge and encourage us to create better leaders, who, in turn, created better businesses that, in turn, continue to create a better world. I'm truly humbled by your faith.

Just a few of the many business partners from my formative years: 埃森哲 , Adobe , AT&T , 应用材料公司 , 欧特克 , 思科 , Genentech , 通用汽车 , 麦当劳 , 微软 , 北电网络 , 宝洁 , 索迪斯 , Statefarm Insurance .

And for those who journeyed with us to virtal: 发现金融服务公司 , 通用电气 , HashiCorp NiSource , Rocket Mortgage , RSM US LLP, Salesforce , Scotiabank , and recently, PagoNxt (a Santander company) and a zillion others!

Thank you!

Let's hear your story!?