The Changing Face of Business – It wasn’t too long ago that brick and mortar establishments were the only way to open a business. With the turn of the millennia, changes have come thick and fast. Now, physical store fronts are a minority, with online businesses embracing the flexibility of its operations, and ability to target broader demographics.

Today, businesses without an online presence are swiftly being left behind. Times change. The world of business must change. You must change.

The Rise of AI

Technology has been the dominant driver of growth across all industries, with AI creating a new paradigm entirely. Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. Granted, as with all new technologies, many of the ways AI is currently being used will likely fizzle out in favour of better avenues of utilisation. Rather than being used wholesale, AI should be seen as a tool to supplement. To make your working life easier, and to help shape processes rather than define them.

The risk is in overusing AI in such a way that is masks the uniqueness of your branding and voice. At the moment, it is seen as a novelty, with many jumping on the generative bandwagon in ways that homogenise content. Generative AI borrows from what has already been done – is this how you want to define your business?

Yet, AI can be incredibly useful as a means of generating ideas, in honing messaging, in organising schedules, in spotting patterns, in delivering summaries, and streamlining internal communication. AI has and is going to change the way we do business. It will pay to keep an eye on how it develops, especially in these formative years.

Social Media

Social media has defined the last two decades, allowing us to connect with each other in new ways and to reach people we never could have reached before. It’s become second nature for us to use social media in our everyday lives, and as a tool to supplement our business pursuits.

In many ways, this is the golden age of business. Social media has equalised the playing field so that businesses of all sizes can grow their consumer base without the need of worrying about geographical restrictions or high resource investment. As we move further into 2025, how we use social media is going to shift slightly on the back of national bans and changing internal infrastructure. Is X, or Facebook, or TikTok a primary line of communication in your business? Do you have any plans of migrating or developing your presence on new platforms like Mastodon or Blue Sky?

The Power of Community

Social media has solidified one important aspect of modern business: community. It is easier than it has ever been to reach people and gather them around your brand, becoming ardent supporters of your products, your vision, and your people. No longer is community based solely on locality, but instead unbound by proximity.

There can be little doubt that the power of community will be playing a larger role in the business world as social media crests in popularity. Consumers and clients are looking for personable, reactive, effective and expert business leaders. How are you building your community? How will you be developing that community this year and the next?

Be Proactive.

With the world shifting around us, we need to be proactive in embracing change. What are you planning to do this year? How will you react to the ever-changing face of business?

Meet Your Expert Coach – Matt Bull

UK Coach of the Year 2021

Shortlisted for Emerging Entrepreneur
East Midlands Leadership Awards 2023

Business & Personal Growth MD of the Year
Managing Director of the Year 2023

Follow Matt on LinkedIn for updates.