Let’s take a second. Pause. Just watch what’s going on.

Last week, we talked about time. Time for creativity. Time saved through AI. But there’s just too much information flying around. So what do we really need?

Answers.

That’s why I love Noel Gallagher’s attitude: “F*** the customer.” Watch here.

Culture isn’t optional in business; it’s foundational. We need to bring a bit of rock and roll back to work, and no, not Elon Musk with a chainsaw. Teams should be having fun (a lot of fun). Processes should be guides, not rulebooks. Creativity should disrupt and entertain.

And no, I won’t talk about Liquid Death in the case study.

Why this topic now? I spent time interviewing 10 interns last week. Their excitement was contagious. It made me proud that we’re building something that excites the next generation.

💡Takeaway: Momentum kicks in when you inject passion and energy. Without it, business is boring.

Andrew McAttee’s Spin is a colourful riot of gravity-less forms… with a sense of ambiguity, humour and celebration. His vibrant graffiti and stencil work was likened to a “wormhole into another world.”

Here’s What We’re Talking About Today:

Audience Insights & Future Trends: How Your Team (and Customers) Can Survive

 📊 The Data:

• 72% of employees say work-life balance is essential, but 26% work outside business hours (Forbes)

• 80% say remote work improves environment, leading to 21% more profit (Forbes)

• Today, only 30% of employees feel connected to their company’s mission/purpose, a record low. (Gallup 2025)

• 56% of employees report noticing changes in customer expectations since the pandemic, with 71% attributing changes to either customers being more demanding or having higher expectations for a better digital experience. (Gallup 2025)

• Only 15% of white-collar employees use AI weekly, while 54% never use it (vs. 81% of frontline and production workers who never use it). Among those who do use AI, 45% say it makes them more productive and efficient. (Gallup)
  

So what does it all mean?

If we’re saving all this time with AI, then let’s use it to THINK and CREATE - not just follow the data. Spend time enhancing your imagination.

Leaders: don’t just automate. Teach your team to create. Or better yet, let them stop, disconnect and go do something inspiring. They’ll come back better for it.

Case Study: How The Brooklyn Coffee Shop series created fame and Won 71.9K Followers

Why I chose this…

This isn’t about surveys or focus groups. It’s about audacity and trusting talent.

Meet Pooja Tripathi, a.k.a. @winnie_thepooj. Barista by day (not really), Instagram creator by instinct. She created a mini episodic series packed with humor, cultural nods and high-quality storytelling, all from a coffee shop in Williamsburg.

The result?

26 episodes. 26,000 new followers and now that’s up to 71.9k. No forms, no chasing trends - just gut and brilliance✨.

Why this works:

“F*** the customer.” Noel had it right. You can’t wait for customers to know what they want.

Production that punches - crisp content with zero budget ego.

Real talent, not fame - Pooja isn’t famous. She’s just good.

Storytelling over branding - no logos, but the vibe is unforgettable.

Why it fits "Momentum Matters":

Talent isn’t always where you think. Look beyond the LinkedIn feed.

Don’t wait for feedback. Trust your instincts and lead.

Creative freedom builds momentum. Rules kill it.

Your challenge:

Ignore the survey. Trust your gut. Let your team create what the audience didn’t know they needed.

And next time you grab coffee ☕️? Tip your barista 💵. They might be your next Head of Content. ;)

Be sure to check out the link below in our mood board.

Behind the Scenes: Time for Some Reality

Someone asked me this week whether to stick with the safe plan or chase a new idea. They had interest, they had passion, and it aligned with their core business.

My advice: Crack on.

No one knows what’s coming tomorrow. But if you feel the momentum? Go. Try.

Will it monetise? Well, that's the hard part, the part I am right in the middle of. My advice, have that at the top of every agenda with your teams, creativity is fun but we’ve all got to pay the bills and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Mood Board: What Our Community Is Sharing

A Word from Our Partner… Me.

Your Turn: What Works for You?

I sometimes worry I come across as a life coach or something else, we want to bring you something that you look forward to, something with a little inspiration, fun and maybe some answers to your questions, but without your feedback, we don’t evolve.

Coming Next Week…

No idea.

Had a sh*tty Sunday.

But we’ll be back with "Innovation in Action" and stories from Connected Festival #3.

Expect cool sh*t.

Now write something to me, I would love to hear from you.