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Survival in business isn’t just about having a great idea – it’s about knowing when to double down, pivot or completely rewrite the rules. Whether it’s rethinking loyalty, mastering delegation or embracing remote-first growth, this week’s insights are all about the strategies that separate the bold from the forgotten. If you’re building something, scaling something or just trying to get ahead, there’s something in here for you.

Enjoy!

The Notion story: treating business like a living ecosystem

Notion is now one of the world’s most popular productivity tools, with 100mn users and a $10bn valuation – but it almost didn’t make it. Co-founder Ivan Zhao’s first attempt failed because he created a product that was useful in theory but not essential in practice. His breakthrough came when he rethought Notion as an all-in-one workspace, replacing scattered tools like Google Docs, Excel and Trello with a single, flexible platform. His lessons for founders? Understand what really drives user behaviour, build for existing demand rather than trying to create it and focus on solving pain points, not just offering nice-to-haves. Get the details at Entrepreneur.

Behind the scenes of Jaguar’s rebrand

Months after Jaguar’s radical rebrand sent the internet into meltdown, Esquire takes a step back to assess what it all really meant. The luxury automaker’s slick, Gen Z-friendly teaser ads – cryptic slogans, neon hues, not a walnut dashboard in sight – sparked outrage among traditionalists who saw it as a break from Jaguar’s storied past. But was the backlash just nostalgia kicking and screaming or does Jaguar’s reinvention hold real strategic weight? As the dust settles, the brand’s future is coming into focus. Esquire breaks it all down – read the full piece here.

MIT’s strategies for startup success

Most startup founders assume success is all about the product – build something great and customers will come flocking. But MIT Sloan’s latest research suggests that strategy, not just ingenuity, is what separates the unicorns from the also-rans. Their Entrepreneurial Strategy Compass lays out four distinct paths: own the IP, break the system, outmanoeuvre the value chain or build the platform everyone depends on. The challenge, however, is picking the right one before your cash runs out. Whether you’re an industry disruptor, a patent hoarder or a value-chain whisperer, this is a great primer for playing (and winning) the startup game.

What VCs really want

Investors love an engaging pitch, but what actually gets them to write a cheque? Dylan Scully at the Frontline investment firm breaks it down: team first, idea second. VCs back founders who are adaptable, relentless and can weather the chaos of building. A killer vision is great, but clarity is better – if you can’t explain how you’ll win, they’ll move on. Scalability is everything and if your product isn’t a must-have, don’t expect traction. Ultimately VCs don’t invest in potential – they invest in proof. Want the full breakdown? Read the article here.

Work from anywhere, build from everywhere

If you’re running a startup solo or leading a small team, you probably already work from coffee shops, co-working spaces or anywhere with semi-decent WiFi. So why not take it a step further? The digital nomad life – once reserved for wanderlust-fuelled freelancers – is now a real option for founders, too. Harvard Business Review highlights how to make it work: from picking a tax-friendly base to convincing clients you’re still reachable (even when your office view is a Balinese beach). If remote work is already your default, why not choose where "home" is? Read more here.

Meet the “Growth Gurus”

The best B2B marketers are smashing their targets. A new report reveals that 30% of B2B marketers saw significant growth in 2024. Dubbed the “Growth Gurus”, their edge relies on data-driven decision-making, a relentless appetite for experimentation and true multichannel mastery. These marketers are three times more likely to use five or more channels, and 79% expect major growth in 2025. To stay ahead, clean your data, embrace experimentation and don’t just rely on one channel to do all the heavy lifting. Get the full story here.

Swipe to sell: how social media is replacing search and storefronts

Forget Google – consumers are searching, discovering and buying all in one place: social media. According to a recent Hubspot report, nearly 40% more shoppers are making purchases directly on social year over year, and Gen Z and Millennials are leading the charge. Brands are taking notice, with over half of social media marketers now selling directly in-app. One of the biggest game-changers is livestream shopping events, where influencers and brands turn engagement into instant conversions. Find out how social commerce is rewriting the rules of retail here.

Cracking the code on customer loyalty

Loyalty isn’t just about cards and points – it’s wired into our brains. Mailchimp’s latest report dives into the psychology of customer loyalty, showing that it’s less about discounts and more about emotional triggers, social proof and habit formation. The key is understanding why customers keep coming back – whether it's a love affair with your brand or just a frictionless experience. With insights from behavioural scientists and neuroscience, this is a great read for businesses looking to build lasting connections that go beyond transactions. Download the report to find out why true loyalty isn’t bought – it’s built.

Mastering delegation

Great leaders don’t do it all – they delegate. This cheat sheet breaks down how delegation can empower your team, boost productivity and help you work smarter.

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Drop me a line

If building a business were easy, everyone would do it. The truth is, growing something great takes a mix of guts, good timing and occasionally wondering if you’ve completely lost the plot. Hopefully something in here made you think, rethink or at least gave you a solid excuse to procrastinate productively. Got a weird, brilliant or utterly baffling business story? Send it my way. Otherwise, go forth, delegate like a boss and trust that even chaos can lead to something great.

Cheers!
Adam

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