Stay true!

Every month, I send you a tight selection of future trends across the business, marketing, education, and more.?Enjoy!

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The Olympic Games have just opened in Paris, but what was meant to be a dazzling $1.5 billion spectacle turned into a disappointing display. Much like the recent Eurovision debacle, this event left many feeling embarrassed for Europe and France. The opening ceremony, which should have highlighted the unparalleled history and culture of France, instead delivered a lackluster and disrespectful performance.

It's disheartening to see such a rich cultural heritage sidelined for a conformist and uninspired show. This isn't about taking offense; it's about the sadness that comes from missed opportunities. Europe has long been celebrated for its values, history, and culture. However, it seems our moral compass is faltering.

Today's leaders, including those who design such opening ceremonies, appear disconnected, surrounded by yes-men and yes-women, oblivious to genuine input and constructive criticism. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of staying true to our values and listening to diverse voices. Regardless of such embarrassment, remember always to stay true to yourself, and protect your values, even if you swim upstream. Welcome to the July issue of the 2024 newsletter!

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Best for now,

Mariusz

Three things we learned

• Meta was accused of breaking European law with its ‘pay or consent’ model. Late last year, Meta launched?a service called “Subscription for no ads,” allowing European users of Facebook and Instagram to pay up to €12.99 ($14) a month for ad-free versions. The alternative is to accept versions with personalized ads. CNN reports.
• Singapore’s AI ambitions: How the city-state is keeping up in an arms race dominated by the U.S. and China. In many ways, Singapore offers a case study of how small and medium-sized nations can keep pace in an escalating AI arms race. More on Yahoo Finance.
• Only 49 companies have been on the Fortune 500 for all 70 years. They are America’s corporate Olympians. What have these extraordinary 49ers got? Here are their secrets to staying in power by Fortune [premium subscription].

The good

Tech Could Be the Solution to Sheltering the Homeless. Technology has not kept up with the homelessness crisis, outdated computer systems with error-filled data are all too often unable to provide even basic information like where a shelter bed is open on any given night, inefficiencies that can lead to dire consequences, but updates could change the game. Inc.com brings some hope.

The bad

Fentanyl abuse is spreading across the world. More than 60,000,000 people struggle with the addictive effects of opioids globally and more than 100,000 people die every year of opioid overdose, many of them with fentanyl, an analgesic drug that is 50–100 times more potent than heroin or morphine. At the tap of a buyer’s smartphone, Chinese chemical sellers will air-ship fentanyl ingredients door-to-door to North America. Reuters purchased enough to make 3 million pills. Such deals are astonishingly easy – and reveal how drug traffickers are eluding efforts to halt the deadly trade behind the fentanyl crisis. More on Reuters.

Watch

Around 37 million Euros worth of bets are placed every day in Europe. This success isn’t a fad, but the result of a perfidious marketing strategy. Various platforms deluge the public sphere with betting incentives for every major sporting event: Continuous advertising loops, omnipresence on social networks, sponsorship of sports programs and football clubs, and collaboration with sports stars and influencers. More and more people are becoming addicted to gambling because of this aggressive advertising. Watch this shocking DW documentary.

Listen

How disruptive marketing tactics made them the most talked about brand at the Olympic trials and how your brand can learn from it. Brian dives into Run Club's and breaks down the top 3 most successful run clubs and how brands can learn from their virality. Listen here to the Sweat Equity podcast.

Read

Accountability, Active Listening, and collaboration are only three out of 20 Leadership Qualities that Make a Great Leader. Whether you're leading a team or a meeting, developing and owning leadership skills can help you succeed at any stage in your career. Discover more on Indeed.

Check

2024 Futures Report: From disruption to business value. Executives who track the trends driving future disruption – and act now to take advantage of them – position their organization to realize new business value. Profitable growth through technology and AI by KPMG.

Travel

Forbes published recently a list of The Best Places To Retire Abroad In 2024. If you are fed up with high living expenses and toxic politics, you might start looking to move abroad. Check out the list of the top 24 countries, and 96 recommended spots, based on costs, amenities, health care, climate risk, language, and crime. Is this your next travel destination?

Do this

Is your glass half-full or half-empty? An optimistic attitude benefits not only your mental health, but your physical well-being as well. Take the test of happiness and see where you fall on the optimism/pessimism continuum by Psychology Today here.

Kotler Impact Highlights

We keep working on Essentials of Modern Marketing , a prestigious global series paying tribute to the legendary Philip Kotler, as noted by Sadia Kibria. This series is being released in every country and region worldwide. The next few months will witness few new country editions, including Germany and Türkiye. Would you be interested in working with us? Please send me an email.

Question to ponder

Why are some leaders willing to kill to stay in power?

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Do you have an event coming up, a book published, or an inspiring talk??Do you know great resources others should hear about??Let me know, and I'll include it next month.

Do you know someone who will love this newsletter as much as you do? Share this link to sign them up.

Best for now,

Mariusz