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Major Themes
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1. AI Integration & Content Creation The relationship between AI and creative work is triggering intense debate about opportunities, ethics, and implementation.
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Industry Perspectives:
On Implementation:
"I'm a development veteran with over 17 years in the field… Last week, we delivered a fully functional SaaS—from business discovery and planning to execution, review, and release—in just under two weeks. The client couldn't believe it." - Apopii Dumitru discusses AI acceleration
On Transformation:
"We're witnessing the greatest shift in design since the computer, and this shift makes that look like nothing. The people who can't see this and have no idea how they're going to adapt are already being left behind." - Torrey Dawley on industry impact
On Ethics:
"I would argue that it still required all of those techniques considering Runway trained its platform on artist and creator data without their consent or compensation. Their data is being used to fuel their own demise." - Paul Danhauser challenges AI ethics
On Integration:
"AI just turned a decade's worth of motion design expertise into 30 seconds of 'type and see'. What's left for us is to make the *typing* extraordinary." - Sai Santhoshi Reddy on adaptation
On Future Impact:
"It's truly remarkable how AI is redefining the creative landscape. It's inspiring to see seasoned professionals embracing innovation and paving the way for the future of design." - Alex Mensah Tenkorang on industry evolution
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Challenging Views:
On Data Rights:
"This is a transfer of wealth I can't support. Great tech, but I don't respect how it was built." - Paul Danhauser on AI training
On Platform Terms:
"LinkedIn, Meta, Reddit, and others' terms of service all state that your posts are being used to train AI... we don't hide our data and content from Google -- we want to be discovered." - Mark Schaeffer on platform policies
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2. Search Evolution & Market Share The landscape of digital search is undergoing significant transformation, with traditional search engines facing new competition from AI-powered alternatives.
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Market Analysis:
"Visit data comparisons come from SimilarWeb. The number of 'searches' (or prompts, in the case of LLMs) comes from Datos." - Rand Fishkin shares market research
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Expert Insights:
On Search Behavior:
"I would have thought that ChatGPT's share of searches today is higher... I find it so much easier to frame my question and be able to go back and adjust it with ChatGPT. I was an obsessed Google user, now I use ChatGPT 90% of the time." - Andrea Gonzalez on user experience
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Alternative Perspectives:
On Attribution:
"Word of mouth. Many, many people use their (physical/email) network to search for solutions, especially in B2B." - Shawn Busse on hidden channels
On Platform Competition:
"Another dimension of the 'messy' is sub-category of search... Amazon probably does have a big chunk of search for products with buying intent." - Jason Goldberg on market segmentation
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3. Value Communication & Client Relations A fundamental shift is occurring in how professional services are marketed and sold, moving from service-based to outcome-based positioning.
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Practitioner Insights:
On Client Psychology:
"Confused buyers rarely buy. What's the most effective way to 'simplify' the offer and be better understood?" - Mateusz Wis on clarity
On Value Communication:
"Stop listing features. Start selling benefits. Clients don't care what you do. They care what it does for THEM." - Neeraj Shah on client focus
On Implementation:
"Last year, I revamped one IT firm's website, and its YOY user sign-ups soared 30%. All I did was simplify their language." - Anthony Chiu on practical results
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4. Leadership & Professional Growth The nature of leadership and professional development is evolving, with emphasis on authentic relationships and strategic thinking.
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Core Insights:
On Question-Based Leadership:
"You should feel the pressure to have amazing questions—those are far more important than having the answers." - David C. Baker on client relationships
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Practitioner Perspectives:
On Client Understanding:
"The art of being a Problem Detective is what makes a professional service provider more VALUEable to the prospect when they are looking to make a decision with confidence." - Carlos M. Garcia on professional value
On Business Evolution:
"Better understood doesn't mean better fit. The real game is aligning your story with your ideal client's problem." - Anthony Franco on strategic positioning
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Deltas: Challenging Convention
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1. Rethinking Payment Models
Traditional View: Standard 30-day payment terms
New Reality: Extended payment terms becoming industry pressure point
"Where 30-day terms were once the standard across all domains, large CPG companies and other marketers have been moving the goalposts out beyond, to 60, 90 and 120 days." - Blair Enns on payment evolution
Industry Response:
"This is an irresponsible business practice that ignores the cost to the greater marketing ecosystem." - Blair Enns challenges terms
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2. Value-Based Pricing in the AI Era
Traditional View: Hourly billing for services
New Reality: Outcome-based pricing becoming essential
"AI saves agencies a lot of time. Should they still charge by the hour? No. They shouldn't have been charging by the hour in the first place." - Jonathan Stark on pricing models
Practitioner Insight:
"Shifting the focus from price to problem-solving attracts the right clients and builds stronger, value-driven relationships." - Sociyell on client relationships
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3. Marketing Attribution Revolution
Traditional View: Google-centric attribution
New Reality: Multi-channel, complex customer journeys
"The problem is: all that content consumption, branding, and marketing activity that takes place in other places only shows up in web analytics through Google." - Rand Fishkin on attribution
Expert Analysis:
"The sites that get hit by updates... Many aren't well-known brands. They don't have strong followings. They lack brand recognition." - Leigh McKenzie on brand importance
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Timeless Wisdom
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1. The Power of Understanding
"Make your value meaningful, relevant and obvious to the ones who need to understand. It's that simple — but usually much harder than we think!" - Beulah Toth on value communication
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New Resources & Opportunities
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New Book Releases
"The Four Conversations: A New Model for Selling Expertise" by Blair Enns
- Release Date: December 2, 2024
- Available for preorder on Amazon and Kindle
- Audible version pending (~10 days)
- Industry Reception: "A frank and clearheaded soup-to-nuts plan for better consulting." —Kirkus Reviews
"Stand the F*ck Out" by Louis Grenier
- Available now at book.stfo.io
- Direct purchase supports small business
- Three years in development
- Focus: Breaking conventional business models
"Sell Your Professional Service Firm: A Primer" by David C. Baker
- Just launched: Official announcement
- Target audience: Firms in $5M-$50M range
- Includes comprehensive M&A guidance
- Complementary webinar series available
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Major Events
Salmon Fishing Leadership Retreat
- Dates: July 22–26, 2025
- Location: Ole's Salmon Fishing Lodge, British Columbia
- Investment: $6,400 CDN
- Features:
- Limited to 24 participants
- Fireside chats with industry leaders
- Experiential learning
- Network building
- Application process now open
4A's ANGLES Conference
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Professional Development Programs
Singapore Business Growth Session with Chris Do
- Format: Interactive live session
- Focus: Scaling established businesses
- Features:
- Direct interaction with Chris Do
- Practical implementation strategies
- Peer networking
- Contact: Victoria Dior Wang for participation details
Design Strategy for Creative Professionals
- New course by Blair Enns on Domestika
- Focus: Transitioning from tactical to strategic thinking
- Perfect for: Creatives looking to level up their business approach
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Community Insight
"The world doesn't reward the best; it rewards the clearest. You could be a bloody genius, but if no one gets what you're offering, you're invisible." - Shaun Bateman on clarity
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