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In business, it’s easy to get distracted by the latest shiny thing – new AI tools, fresh formats, the itch to launch one more product. But momentum without judgement is just motion. This week is a reminder to balance future focus with discipline: protect the core, innovate with intent and use AI to enhance decisions rather than drown them in noise.

Enjoy!

Half of new products vanish within two years – here’s why

According to new research from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, almost half of consumer product launches vanish within two years – even those once crowned ‘Product of the Year’. The reason isn’t bad ideas but weak strategy: too many brands treat innovation as a reflex rather than a plan. Every new product line diverts time, money and shelf space from the core products that sustain growth. The findings show that innovation should serve the brand, not distract it. Without clear intent, today’s breakthrough becomes tomorrow’s write-off. Find out more here.

How generative AI is reshaping the M&A playbook

Bain’s latest Generative AI in M&A report shows that AI is transforming every stage of the deal process – from spotting targets to modelling synergies and integrating acquisitions. Early adopters are using gen-AI to analyse fragmented markets, identify patterns that humans miss and automate the due-diligence grind that once took months. The result is faster decisions, sharper valuations and fewer surprises post-close. Bain estimates that firms embedding AI tools into their workflows are already completing transactions up to 30 per cent faster and at lower cost. The bigger shift, however, is cultural. Dealmaking has always relied on instinct and networks; AI is forcing leaders to combine that intuition with algorithmic discipline. Read the report here.

YouTube is outpacing Hollywood in the race to scale content

YouTube creators are now showing Hollywood a new studio model – one that moves faster, costs less and scales smarter. At YouTube’s recent NFL showcase, content creators like Dhar Mann and AdamW, alongside CEO Neal Mohan, outlined a system built for speed: content cycles that compress ideation to release, decentralised production and viral-first strategies. Unlike traditional studios, there’s little room for long development or waste – every minute, budget dollar and story beat must justify itself. The learning here is that scale isn’t just about bigger budgets – it’s about tighter feedback loops, modular teams and relentless iteration. Find out more from IndieWire here.

When AI adoption turns into AI sprawl

A new TechRadar analysis warns that the race to embed AI across every team has created a new kind of risk: uncontrolled sprawl. With employees subscribing to overlapping tools and freemium apps beyond IT’s reach, many organisations are trading innovation for chaos. The result is rising SaaS bills, unclear data ownership and growing compliance blind spots. It seems to me that the frontier challenge for enterprise companies is no longer AI capability but governance – turning a patchwork of disconnected bots into a managed, secure ecosystem. Get the story here.

The ultimate cheat sheet for human behaviour

The Cognitive Bias Codex – created by John Manoogian III – remains one of the most practical tools for anyone shaping products, pitches or experiences. Like many of you, I’m sure, I’ve done a bit of reading around behavioural science, but this codex goes further: it maps hundreds of biases so you can pinpoint exactly which human shortcut to tap when designing for influence. It’s not just theory – it’s a decision-makers toolkit. Check it out here.

The new marketing mix: people, not just prompts

The Content Marketing Institute’s 2026 B2B Trends report finds that AI may be dominating the headlines, but it’s not the whole story. The best-performing teams aren’t chasing automation for its own sake – they’re blending technology with human judgement, creative insight and discipline. Over 1,000 marketers surveyed said their priorities for 2026 centre on audience understanding, first-party data and trust, with AI seen as an amplifier rather than a substitute. In other words, sustainable advantage still lies in how people use the tools, not the tools themselves. Read the report here.

AI prompt of the week: strategic acquisition planning

Most founders think about M&A reactively – when approached by acquirers or when desperate for growth. But the smartest operators use acquisitions strategically to accelerate capabilities, enter markets or acquire talent and technology faster than organic growth allows. The key is identifying targets that create genuine strategic value, not just revenue addition.

Help me identify strategic M&A opportunities to accelerate my company's growth. My company: [description, stage, capabilities]. My goals: [market expansion/technology acquisition/talent/customer base]. What types of companies should I target? What capabilities or assets would create the most strategic value? Design a systematic approach for identifying, evaluating, and prioritising potential acquisition targets, including key metrics and integration considerations.

The emotional cost of a successful exit

When it comes to selling a company, business owners often assume that the hardest part is closing the deal – but as the Harvard Business Review points out, the emotional fallout often begins the moment you sign. Guilt, identity loss and the strange quiet of no longer being “the boss” can hit harder than expected. It’s something I touched on in my book The Three Secrets to a Seven Figure Exit: selling a business isn’t just a financial process, it’s a psychological one. The real preparation should be for what comes next.

Make your mornings better

Here are some simple morning rituals that boost focus, energy and consistency. No grand self-help claims – just small, repeatable habits that stack into momentum before the day begins.

Drop me a line

That’s it for this week. If something here sparks a thought, pass it on or start a conversation – the best ideas usually grow in dialogue, not isolation. Stay resilient, stay curious and I’ll see you next Sunday.

Cheers!
Adam

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