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You can swipe through and save this deck from Amy Webb to learn about the 2025 tech trends. All 49 pages. She had us sit on wooden blocks that revealed messages from the pressure of our bottoms. 😅 (see first comment) Her example was that pressure creates the opportunity to reveal your future. Hello 👋 from SXSW.

Just ran into Austin Nasso at SXSW… The guy is one of the rare breeds who can code and make you laugh at the same time. After meeting Austin, I was interviewed on the Midwest House podcast about helping you think more innovatively while in crisis. Some of the most innovative solutions come from people who were brave enough to just start somewhere. We need courage right now. Hoping it will be encouraging to you. One thing I love about SXSW is the blending of the different worlds together. Will share more of what I’m learning…

Learning from Guy Kawasaki and Meredith Whittaker from Signal at SXSW. Should I ask them for a selfie? They are discussing privacy and security… You’ve probably heard of it but if not… Signal is a free, open-source, and non-profit messaging app that prioritizes privacy. It offers end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, instant messaging, and group chats. Signal is popular with journalists and privacy-conscious users. What’s the difference between Signal and other messaging apps? Other apps don’t have the same level of encryption as Signal. They are drops of water in the lake of encryption. Metadata is shared by these other apps. Times, user names, etc. Signal doesn’t track this. Meredith explained that Signal isn’t asking for blind trust - they’re encouraging users to examine the source code for themselves. Even Apple iMessage isn’t fully encrypted unless both sides are using it. And Apple owns the code at the end of the day. “The only way to protect data is not to collect it.” What if everything you ever said was posted to all your contacts at the same time? Prescriptions, Messages to Friends, locations, etc. What’s the risk of AI? Meredith said there are a lot of things AI is useful for. Like finding patterns from large amounts of data. But AI is built on the surveillance business model. Meredith has watched the AI moment happen from the inside. Her biggest concerns are the AI business models. These other companies are not made to protect your data. They collect data, train data, sell data, and do whatever else with your data. How does Signal make money? They are a non-profit funded by donations. It is difficult to run at scale. She explained it as fitting in a dollhouse and living there. They want to stay true to their mission. And serve the people who rely on them.

Checking out the Museum of the Future at SXSW. Some very interactive exhibits, speculative futuristic designs, and robot tour guides.

I wrote this Forbes article for leaders at middle market companies who are wondering what to do with AI.

AI glasses are no longer science fiction. 5 business applications that could transform your company. Here's a video showing the new ones I was sent...(no I was not allowed to wear them during my TEDx talk.)😅 But the opportunity to build custom applications for these glasses is where I get excited. Here's a Top 5 of what comes to mind... 1. GROWTH They are very discreet and are not bulky at all. You could use them in a large presentation or a small group meeting without any problems. This could help you with saying the right thing at the right time which could help increase sales. 2. DATA The AI feature could be integrated with your backend systems to be leveraged to provide you with insights or data when you need it. All in the Heads Up Display. 3. TRANSLATION Live language translation could be helpful for global companies if it has the right context. A custom application could make this happen. 4. MANUFACTURING The battery life lasts 24 hours and you could have instructions sent to the glasses to help with manufacturing. It could be in any language. 5. INVENTORY You could build out a way to navigate your inventory area or warehouse to create efficiencies for picking and packing. We're not talking about futuristic concepts. This is happening now. The businesses that recognize this opportunity first could gain significant advantages in efficiency, training, and customer experience. The hardware is ready. The question is: are your custom applications? Custom development for these platforms represents a new opportunity in business technology - where digital information meets physical reality exactly when you need it. P.S. Which AI glasses application (1-5) would create the biggest impact for your business? Or share a #6 I missed.

I just delivered a TEDx talk on Innovation. Innovation isn't about technology - it is about solving problems. Think about it... Uber didn't invent cars Airbnb didn't build houses Instagram didn't create photography They just solved existing problems in revolutionary ways. The truth is: Innovation isn't about having access to cutting-edge technology. It's about having the audacity to question the status quo. My key message on stage: Stop waiting for the next big technological breakthrough. Embrace uncertainty and concern for others. Have the courage to act. That's where real innovation begins. The video will be live soon on the TED Conferences website and I will share it with you.

Every week I sit in meetings with leaders facing complex challenges. Behind each question lies an opportunity to connect… I've noticed something fascinating in my work with technical and non-technical leaders. When I ask questions and dive deep into their challenges, clear patterns emerge. Some need guidance on building software or deploying AI in their enterprise. That's where our team shines - we can provide direct solutions and implementation strategies. But often, the most valuable thing I can offer isn't my expertise - it's my network. The questions I've heard this week alone reveal the diverse challenges leaders face: • Who can help us purchase smart cameras for our manufacturing facility? • Who do you know in commercial real estate? • Who do you know in insurance? • Who do you know that excels at online marketing? • Who do you know for business banking solutions? • Who can answer complex CPA questions? • Can you introduce me to Patrick Lencioni? I've realized that being a connector is sometimes more valuable than being a problem-solver. When leaders reach out, they're not just seeking information - they're seeking trusted pathways to solutions. This network effect creates tremendous value. Each connection strengthens the entire ecosystem of problem-solvers and innovators. The most successful leaders I know don't try to know everything. They focus on building robust networks they can activate when specific challenges arise. I've made it my mission to be that connection point - to understand problems deeply enough to match them with the right solution providers. One good book I’ve found is “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters" by Priya Parker. In the first comment, I’ll drop a photo of 11 questions to ask when you’re getting to know someone. Because in today's complex business landscape, who you know often matters more than what you know. Would invite you to comment and tag if you know someone who can help with the 7 questions above - even if it is you (-;