The ICMS staff and I frequently remind our customers that Activity Based Cost Management is both a noun and verb. An ABC software system is an example of a thing one can pursue or own. But only when a person or organization applies the principles, repeatedly using their ABC software data to improve decision-making, will the noun-verb sentence be complete. Those who put their ABC system into action are thankful.

Thanksgiving is not just a holiday. Thanks-giving is also an activity. After we return from the holiday break, I intend to tackle topics such as ABM goal setting, ABC standard cost systems and other issues in future articles. But today, here is a sample of things I am particularly thankful for this year:

Tom’s Top Ten Thanksgiving List

• I am thankful that I prepared small journals this past year for each of my eighty-year old parents. I listed and explained the top ten things they each taught me during the past fifty years. It was not the most expensive present I’ve ever given them, but their tears said, “It’s the best.” Have you thanked your parents, spouse, closest friend, business associate, boss, pastor or mentor? If not, Thanksgiving is a great time to do it.
• I’m thankful for the person who taught me “What is right is right, even if no one is doing it. And what is wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it.”
• I’m thankful for the thousands of ICMS customers we’ve been blessed with the past thirteen years. ICMS customers are not interruptions, they’re friends.
• I’m thankful for the ICMS staff because they work with me, not for me.
• I’m thankful for dirty diapers because that means my twin grandsons, Alex and Austen, are nearby.
• I’m thankful that I have a pastor who understands, teaches and practices the principles of financial management. In fact, he’s just written a book titled The ABC’s of Financial Success.
• I’m thankful for all the red, white and blue I’ve seen this year interspersed with the traditional colors of Fall.
• And I’m particularly thankful for the many, many responses we received to the article on Worry. A person in South America resigned her job after reading the article. She realized her daily worry was caused by her unethical duties. I laughed when a mother said, “I’m printing your Worry article off for my daughter who can’t sleep the night before a test because she’s worried about doing well.”
• I’m thankful for Billy Graham and the life-changing impact he has had on President George W. Bush.

And I’m thankful for you, one of the over six thousand people worldwide who allocate a portion of your valuable time to read and consider my articles every other week.