It happened to me once, back in school. It made me stop, think… and yeah, cry a bit too.

What’s this got to do with life, business and growth? Well, everyone gets a (metaphorical) punch in the face at some point and it’s a wake up call to ask: What the hell are we doing?

Mike Tyson put it best: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

2025 will be about adapting, planning, and showing resilience. But let’s not forget the most important part: supporting those who’ve already taken a hit. We’re in this together, which brings me to something exciting we’ve been working on…

But first, a quick ad break 😜…

🚨 30th January: Subscribe now and mark your calendars for our first-ever event, where bold ideas meet real, meaningful connections. This isn’t just another conference; it’s your gateway to growth and transformation.

🚀 7 Speakers. Endless Insights. Constant Connections.
From Condé Nast to Formula E, our first event goes live on January 30^th, and this is just the beginning.

💡 84+ Experts Annually: Weekly live sessions & on-demand insights tailored to your growth.
🤝 No Algorithms, Just Real Connections: IRL & online in a curated global community.
🌟 Tracks You Need: Tech, mental health, leadership, and culture - always ahead of the curve.

🎤 Meet Our Speakers:
Nico Sarti (Condé Nast) | Ellie Norman (Formula E) | Andy Goram (Talent Retention)
Matt Edelman (Super League) | Chris Duffey (Adobe) | Noelle Mykolenko (Trusted Advisor) |

Check out our new website and join today to set the tone for your 2025 success!

This piece sums up the mission for us all in 2025! If you haven’t seen it you must watch ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ and make up your own mind about the artist. 

Here’s What We’re Talking About Today:

Audience Insights & Future Trends:

The Elephant in the Room: AI, Cost Cutting, and the Job Market

By 2030, AI could disrupt 40% of global jobs, with advanced economies seeing higher exposure (up to 60%). Layoff influencers - people turning job losses into public narratives on LinkedIn and TikTok - are growing.

• 41% of companies plan to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to AI (World Economic Forum).

• In the past two years, 28% of Americans have been laid off (WSJ).

• Yet, 67% of contractors feel more secure working independently, up from 32% a decade ago (MBO Partners).

Take the tech world, for instance. Major players like Google and Amazon have embraced layoffs as a tool to please investors. At the same time, industries are pulling workers back into offices as a show of authority, making regular employment seem less appealing. But here’s the silver lining: this upheaval is creating opportunities for reinvention.

💡Takeaway: Careers aren’t what they used to be, and people are taking control by becoming creators, consultants, and influencers.

🛠️ Here’s how to adapt:

1. Empower yourself. There’s a creator/influencer in you - unlock it.

2. Monetize as you grow. Don’t waste years creating for free while platforms rake in the profits.

3. For brands: Micro and nano influencers are your secret weapon for personalized, impactful, and cost-effective campaigns.

Don’t wait for the market to shift under your feet. Take control now and own your future.

Case Study: Adobe’s Micro-Influencer Success

🥊 The Challenge: Cutting through the noise in B2B marketing.
🎯 The Solution: Micro-influencers. With 1,000–100,000 followers, they offer trust, authenticity, and niche market reach.

What Adobe Did:
Adobe partnered with influencers like Liz Mosley (designer, and podcaster) to connect with small businesses and creatives. Through tutorials, events, and authentic content, they boosted engagement and showcased real-world uses of Adobe tools.

💡Key Takeaways:

• Find niche influencers: Use Audience 101 to identify trusted voices.

• Build authentic relationships: Let influencers maintain their unique voice.

• Measure ROI: Track engagement and leads to refine your strategy.

Behind the Scenes: Our Thoughts Are with LA

It’s been a tough time here with the fires. We’re deeply grateful to everyone locally and in the UK who has checked in, it means so much. The air pollution has been rough, and we’ve kept our bags packed by the door, just in case.

What’s most upsetting are the reports of arsonists and gangs looting homes during evacuations. Our hearts go out to those who’ve lost so much.

The stories we’ve heard are heartbreaking:

• A vintage stylist lost her home and entire collection, her livelihood gone in an instant.

• An arsonist caught lighting fires was released just hours later - what’s happening to our world?

• Insurance companies cancelling policies because it’s more cost-effective than paying out.

• My wife saw people in Santa Monica, walking the streets with suitcases, their faces filled with uncertainty and shock.

Until it happens to you, it’s incomprehensible to imagine how this feels.

What can you do? Whether you’re in LA, London, or anywhere in between, now’s the time to act. Donate, offer help, and remember: small gestures make big impacts.

A Little More Depth: Nothing beats in real life

Despite the chaos, last week was inspiring. Conversations, IRL, keep fueling our mission: putting humanity back into business.

What I’ve learned:

• Condé Nast is redefining “editorial” to make it shoppable.

• AI’s impact is so swift, that some startups already see a unicorn future.

• B2B conferences need to ditch ego-driven case studies and focus on actionable insights.

💡Key takeaway: In a world of data and market research, it’s real, in-person conversations that provide the clarity and depth needed to stay ahead.

Mood Board:

Call to Action

If life, or your job, has thrown you a punch, now’s the time to act:

1. Help those in need: Donate, volunteer, or simply show up for someone.

2. Cut distractions: Cancel two subscriptions that aren’t serving you.

3. Join our community: Together, we’ll make 2025 your best year yet.

Let’s turn the punches into progress. Subscribe now and step into your future, stronger than ever.