Hi Reader

Welcome to the first Growth Mindset of 2026. The start of the year often brings a sharper focus on how work, technology and organisations are operating. The insights below look at hiring, dealmaking, writing, security and everyday systems through that lens, using specific examples rather than broad claims. Each stands on its own, but together they reflect the kinds of practical questions leaders, founders and teams are dealing with right now.

Enjoy!

Who trains the next generation when AI means the big companies stop hiring?

The popular story says entry-level work is being automated out of existence. The data tells a subtler story. Large companies are no longer expanding the base of their workforce in the way they once did, even as smaller firms continue to rely heavily on junior talent. That shift suggests the responsibility for developing new entrants is drifting, by default rather than design, towards businesses least equipped to offer structured progression. Small firms may provide opportunity, improvisation and exposure – but they cannot easily replace the scale, training and career pathways that once made big organisations the engine room of workforce development. I prefer to take an optimistic view on this though – seeing SME’s (like my own, JustFix) - creating an ‘on-ramp’ into industries for entry level workers. Find out more from this LinkedIn report.​

A useful way to think about personal branding in 2026

Early January is when many people take stock – not just of what they do, but how they describe it and present themselves to the world. One way to do that is to treat personal branding as a story still in motion. The idea is simple: be honest about where you’ve come from, clear about where you are now and explicit about what you’re working towards next. Not necessarily as a public performance or LinkedIn announcement, but as a private clarity exercise. As humans, we’re hardwired to respond to stories – and creating your own ’story arc’ is a great way to move forward personally and professionally. This LinkedIn post captures the idea perfectly.

What dealmakers think will shape M&A this year

A recent article on CFO.com sets out how dealmakers are approaching 2026. Financing conditions are becoming more predictable, activist pressure is rising and portfolio reshaping is back on the agenda. The most interesting shift, though, is less about deal volume than execution – particularly how technology is changing diligence, integration and post-acquisition value capture. The Accenture-authored article is an adviser’s perspective, and an optimistic one, but it’s useful for understanding where confidence is returning and how M&A professionals believe value will be made – or lost – in the year ahead. Read it here.

The strange persistence of LinkedIn ‘broetry’

I’ve become increasingly aware of the ‘broetry’ phenomenon on LinkedIn. You’ll have seen it too – that staccato line-by-line style built on personal anecdotes, sweeping claims and familiar clichés. Now an amusing article by Carina Rampelt traces how the format emerged, why it continues to perform despite repeated algorithm changes and what that says about how attention is rewarded on professional platforms. It’s an uncomfortably accurate take on why bad writing can still perform alarmingly well on your feed. Get the lowdown here.

A practical guide to the cultural moments shaping the year ahead

Every year, Sean Choi puts together a useful planning tool: a calendar that brings together industry events, cultural moments, public holidays, observances and notable anniversaries in one place. Updated annually, it helps teams see what’s coming, spot patterns and decide where attention should be focused. For anyone trying to plan content with a sense of context, it’s a helpful reference point. Check out the Google doc here.

Why businesses are being told to block AI browsers

Gartner has issued a warning to security leaders: agentic, AI-powered browsers introduce risks that most organisations are not yet equipped to manage. The concern is about where data goes, how actions are taken on a user’s behalf and how easily convenience can override control. Default settings, opaque back-end systems and the growing use of unapproved AI tools inside organisations all raise questions for CISOs already under pressure. The recommendation, for now, is caution rather than adoption – and a reminder that productivity gains mean little if they come at the expense of security. ZD Net has the story.​

Seven bets on how tech will shape 2026

Semafor recently set out its predictions on what is likely to dominate the year ahead. The themes include a return of large-scale M&A tech deals, deeper state involvement in strategic technologies, mounting pressure around data centres and supply chains and continued confidence that the AI boom still has room to run. It’s a useful snapshot of how close observers are thinking about 2026, and where they believe the biggest points of tension will sit. Read it here.

What happens when small change disappears

In the US, the decision to stop minting the penny coin makes sense on paper. In practice, a new report shows how its removal is creating friction in the economy. Restaurants and retailers are being forced to round cash transactions, absorb costs and deal with customer confusion over pricing differences they did not create. In other words, policy decisions designed for efficiency at the centre often leave operational consequences to be handled elsewhere. It can only be a matter of time before the UK’s penny also suffers the same fate. Find out more here.

Why most brands sound the same on social – and how to avoid it

A SocialChain LinkedIn post on writing for social media argues that many brands dilute their own voice by trying too hard to sound platform-native. Drawing on the thinking of top copywriter Vikki Ross, it makes the case for clarity, specificity and consistency over cleverness – treating copy as a conversation rather than a performance. The advice is practical and timeless: sell benefits, avoid vague adjectives and make sure every line of copy sounds like it comes from the same place, whether it’s a campaign headline or a legal disclaimer. Get the guidance here.

AI prompt of the week: supercharging your job search

Rather than researching roles on generic job boards, this prompt does three things at once: finds fast-growing companies before roles hit LinkedIn, identifies market trends so you know what skills matter and spots salary patterns, so you don't undersell yourself.

I'm looking for [job title] roles in [industry/location]. Please:

1. List 15 fast-growing companies in this space that raised funding or expanded in the last 6 months, with links to their careers pages

2. Analyse current job postings for this role and tell me the top 5 most in-demand skills and certifications

3. What's the typical salary range for this position, and what factors (remote work, company size, experience level) affect it most?

What buyers will scrutinise first

This checklist sets out the core materials founders are expected to have ready long before a sale process begins – from clean financials and customer contracts to IP ownership, team incentives and compliance. None of it is unusual, but all of it comes under pressure once interest appears. Having it organised early helps avoid delays, unanswered questions and unnecessary friction later.

Drop me a line

If there’s an idea here you’d challenge, extend or take in a different direction, do get in touch. What I love about writing this newsletter is the way that reader responses often turn into conversations. See you next Sunday.

Cheers!
Adam

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