Writing your 2025 trend reports just got easier

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Hi Reader

December’s here, and with it comes the mix of wrapping up the year and planning for what’s next. Whether you’re reflecting on lessons learned, like the ones in Google’s Graveyard (keep reading for that), or gearing up for 2025 with trend reports and AI insights, this week’s newsletter is packed with ideas to fuel your next move. Ready to dive in? Let’s make this the December of smart decisions and new opportunities.

Enjoy!

Looking ahead: global M&A trends

SI Partners’ latest report on mergers and acquisitions reveals some fascinating shifts in the agency, consultancy and tech services space. While deal activity slowed after the 2021/2022 boom, mid-market M&A is picking up steam again, with private equity driving much of the action. AI is also playing a bigger role, boosting operational efficiencies and shaking up valuations. If you’re eyeing growth through acquisition or just curious about the latest trends, this report is worth a read.

Financial insights from Howard Marks (no, not that one)

Howard Marks, legendary investor and co-founder of Oaktree Capital, has a knack for writing thought-provoking memos, and his latest, "Mr. Market Miscalculates," doesn’t disappoint. He dives into the current state of market pricing, how investor sentiment often skews rationality and the lessons we can draw from history. It’s a fascinating read for anyone trying to make sense of today’s volatile markets or just keen to learn from one of the best. Check it out here.

Lessons from Google’s Graveyard

Killed by Google is a fascinating (and slightly haunting) collection of the company’s discontinued products and services. For entrepreneurs, it’s a stark reminder that even the biggest players don’t get it right every time. It’s a lesson in agility, knowing when to pivot and the importance of testing your ideas before going all in. Whether it’s Google Glass or Wave, each failure offers insights into innovation, timing and customer needs. Take a scroll and I guarantee you’ll lose at least 10 mins of your day reading and thinking “they built that?” and also “actually, that sounds like a smart idea.”

2025 trend predictions – all the decks you’ll ever need

It’s December and your team is looking to you to give them a steer on what’s hot and trending for 2025. But between the Christmas parties and, you know, doing your job, there’s not much time left for the research that will give you the info nuggets you need. Well, once again, I’ve unearthed another treasure chest of insights, in the form of a Google Drive containing dozens of 2025 trend decks. From McKinsey to PWC and Publicis to Kantar, this is your fast track to forecasting next year. Why not celebrate by going to that Christmas party you thought you’d have to skip?

AI for marketing strategy: practical insights for staying ahead

Led by marketing experts Tom Roach and Sarah Newman, this AI-focused initiative brought together 200 strategists from around the world to tackle the impact of AI on strategy and business growth. Over six months, they dug into the challenges, conducted research and developed actionable recommendations. The result? A thoughtful and practical guide for harnessing AI to gain a competitive edge. Whether you’re scaling your business or refining your marketing approach, this report is packed with ideas you can put to work right away.

Small business grants for UK entrepreneurs

For our UK subscribers: If you’re looking to fund your next big idea or give your small business a boost, NerdWallet has put together a handy guide to startup and small business grants in England. From local government schemes to niche industry funding, there are opportunities you might not know about. It’s worth a look – these grants could be the financial nudge you need to take your business to the next level.

Quiet quitting – and how to address it

The year-end is often a time of reflection and for some to consider making changes to their life or work. This can result in ‘quiet quitting’, as employees start to disengage from their current workplace. Here’s how to spot that – and how to keep them on board.

Drop me a line

I hope this week’s newsletter gave you a few sparks of inspiration or some fresh tools to tackle what’s next. If you have thoughts, ideas or stories worth sharing, I’d love to hear from you – let’s keep the conversation going. Until next week, here’s to wrapping up 2024 with focus and momentum.

Cheers!
Adam

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