bluedog

Kelsey Koch is on the ground in Austin, representing bluedog at SXSW! She attended Amy Webb's "2025 Emerging Tech Trends" this past weekend and here are the topics that she can’t stop thinking about: ???We Are in “The Beyond” from a Futuristic Perspective — How can we, as marketing leaders develop a better vision and plan? Attending Amy Webb’s 2025 Emerging Tech Trends presentation at SXSW was eye-opening. The future isn’t just approaching... It’s already here. Yet, many leaders are unprepared, reacting to immediate disruptions rather than planning strategically. Webb described?the “stone in your shoe” effect?— the idea that even minor discomfort can cause cognitive impairment, forcing the brain to prioritize short-term relief over long-term thinking. She simulated this idea by having attendees sit on a wooden block for her entire talk! The “stone in your shoe” effect explains why businesses often get stuck in cycles of reaction, rather than innovation. We see this often at Bluedog and are frequently hired to help our clients break this cycle. Based on Webb's presentation, here are some key shifts that are shaping the next era: ?? FOMO → FOMA (Fear of Missing Anything) The overwhelming pace of change is creating a constant state of anxiety for leaders trying to track every trend. The challenge? Staying centered and discerning what truly matters. (Spoiler: many times, this means listening to your consumers in deep & creative ways). ???AI is Constrained by Human Language Today’s AI is constrained by human language. It's imprecise, full of bias, and prone to misinterpretation. The future of AI may be rooted in?math as its primary language, allowing for more precise and efficient machine intelligence. ???Organized Intelligence – The Next Computing Revolution Forget artificial intelligence; we’re entering the age of?ACTUAL intelligence.?For example, Cortical Labs has built the first-ever computer powered by human neurons, breaking the rules of traditional computing. What happens when we can connect directly to the brain? The takeaway for brands and businesses: Disruption isn’t slowing down. To thrive, we must move beyond reacting and start designing a future with clarity and vision. Let’s discuss — how is your business preparing for the next wave of innovation? #SXSW #EmergingTech #Innovation #AI #FutureTrends

On February 26th, bluedog, in partnership with B Local Illinois and Emily Bergstrom from Project Equity, hosted a talk on what it means to be employee-owned. Mark Koenig walked us through why employee ownership is a powerful succession strategy — particularly as we approach the?“silver wave”?of founders preparing for retirement. Transitioning to employee ownership offers a mutually beneficial exit, ensuring business continuity, while empowering employees. There are different ownership structures, and organizations like Project Equity can help determine the right fit for your business. Bluedog successfully transitioned to an ESOP, thanks to Mark’s CFO expertise. If you’re considering employee ownership as an exit, start planning early —building internal support takes time, and the right structure can set your business up for long-term success.

Bluedog’s Growth Strategist, Kelsey Koch, will be attending SXSW this year. Come say hi and stay tuned for highlights from the conference!

To close out Black History Month, we'd like to share and recommend some of Bluedog's favorite Black-owned businesses in Chicago. We think you'll love them and we hope you'll consider giving them your business and support all year long! Partake Foods (https://partakefoods.com/) Bell's Reines (https://bellsreines.com/) It's Nola Snacks (https://itsnola.com/) Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks (https://www.pipsnacks.com/) Taylor's Tacos (https://lnkd.in/gAp3iiX6) Frontier (https://lnkd.in/gFrtHHyB) Einnim (https://www.einnim.com/)

At Bluedog, our client partners often turn to us after a Demand Spaces study to help them make sense of the findings, socialize them, or transform them into innovation platforms. While Demand Spaces offer valuable insights, they can also be challenging to activate. Read on to discover how your organization can navigate them effectively and maximize their impact.

We're excited to partner with?B Local Illinois and?Project Equity to share our experience with Employee Ownership as a B Corp on February 26th from 5:30-7:30pm!

Join Bluedog’s CFO, Mark Koenig, on February 26th as he shares insights on how Employee Ownership drives a more equitable future!

One of the most talked about segments of bluedog's StoryCraft training is when we share strategies on how to manage Detractors in conversations and presentations – the folks in your audience who are… not picking up what you’re putting down. Because we all know those people – and, if we’re honest, we’ve all been Detractors ourselves from time to time! And?it’s this truth than can help us understand the key mindset to maintain in moments of being on the receiving end of pushback: behind every Detractor is a person and perspective worth finding the value in. Scroll through to get a glimpse at how we approach the 3 common Detractor archetypes!

As we close out the year, we'd like to share our gratitude for bluedog's wonderful community of clients, partners and friends with a note from our CEO, Shannon Murphy.

Last week, Bluedog rolled up our sleeves to wrap gifts for Kaleidoscope Inc. — an organization close to our hearts. These gifts will brighten the holidays for over 350 youth in the Chicagoland area! If you don't know Kaleidoscope, they're an amazing local organization that provides essential support to youth and families facing critical challenges, helping keep families together, and uplifting those in the foster care system. Every year, we have a blast teaming up with them — showing off our gift-wrapping skills and donning our “ugly” sweaters. It’s a tradition we look forward to all year! Pictured: Mark Koenig, Brittnay Stahl, Marcy Barson, Eric Staples, Michael Conroy, Jenna Johnson