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Want to boost your conversion rates by 30%? A Shopify study says to post better product images.

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The Luminar Neo app

Tap into your creative side when you use AI-powered photo editing tools to transform your work. With a simple layout and compatibility across Windows and macOS, and as a Photoshop and Lightroom plug-in, Luminar Neo is accessible to anyone.

Get the full version features in this bundle, including things like Sky^AI to replace skies in images or the new Background Removal^AI extension.

Learn how to use Luminar Neo

Even if you’re new to the Luminar Neo program, this photo editing bundle is designed for you to learn quickly thanks to the included “Creative Photo Editing Techniques in Luminar Neo” video course. It contains 10 tutorial videos that focus on editing landscapes. Taught by Dutch landscape photographer Albert Dros, you’ll get expert instruction on editing shots of nature and buildings for the most significant impact.

Get the Luminar Neo add-ons

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed how businesses operate. Whether you are a marketing pro, a writer, a project manager, or an editor, you’d be hard-pressed to find an industry AI hasn’t touched yet. But juggling multiple AI tools can be frustrating, costly, and inefficient.

AI Magicx changes the game by providing a single, powerful platform packed with AI-driven solutions for content creation, branding, automation, and more. Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to the AI Magicx Rune Plan for just $64.99 (reg. $99.99) with code MAGIC35 through March 30—the lowest price ever for this all-in-one AI toolkit that can amp up efficiency for your business.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, or business professional, AI Magicx is designed to streamline your workflow and enhance productivity. Its AI Logo Designer crafts professional-grade logos in seconds, while the Magicx Art Generator turns simple text into stunning visuals—no design experience is required.

Need engaging written content? The AI Article Generator and AI Story Generator help produce high-quality content effortlessly, saving hours of work.

For businesses that rely on automation, AI-powered chatbots and document editing tools provide intuitive ways to enhance customer interactions and improve internal productivity. AI Magicx even includes AI Magicx Coder, an intelligent coding assistant that analyzes and optimizes your code, making it an indispensable tool for developers.

With real-time search capabilities, limitless content generation, and the ability to process text, images, and documents, AI Magicx is built to scale with your business needs. Instead of paying for multiple AI subscriptions, this one-time investment gives you lifetime access to a suite of premium AI tools—all at a fraction of the cost of standalone alternatives.

Get AI Magicx’s Rune Plan for life for the one-time price—the lowest price—of $64.99 (reg. $99.99) with code MAGIC35 through March 30.

Why this deal is worth it

This limited-time lifetime offer eliminates the need for multiple ongoing subscriptions, potentially saving your business thousands of dollars over time. It also makes using the AI support you need much easier. With AI Magicx, you get instant access to cutting-edge AI tools that boost creativity, efficiency, and automation, all in a user-friendly package. Plus, it’s currently available for the lowest price ever.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

While there are many “small business 101” courses online, few capture the nuances and complexity of running a small business from scratch. You might learn the essentials (like how to file for an LLC or how to manage your books) but miss the most critical component: how to master the mindset of a successful business owner.

This is where books make up for where online courses and blogs leave off, diving deep into the psychology of starting a venture of your own, the positioning to attract customers, how to price your services and more.

Here’s some essential reading for any current (or aspiring) small business owner looking to enter entrepreneurship with confidence and focus.

Related: 5 Books That Paved My Path to Entrepreneurial Success

The Go-Giver by Bob Burg

Bob Burg is the bestselling author of many books on business, sales and leadership, such as The Art of Persuasion and Endless Referrals. He has a knack for not only explaining the strategies needed to start and run a successful business but also the psychology behind being a confident entrepreneur.

In The Go-Giver, Bob Burg tells the story of an ambitious “go-getter” named Joe. Joe works tirelessly but seems to only get farther from his goals. With the guidance of a legendary consultant named Pindar, Joe is tasked with shadowing several successful entrepreneurs: a restaurant owner, a CEO, a real estate broker and others. These new mentors teach him that the key to success is to shift his focus from getting to giving by putting other people’s interests first.

This mindset shift leads to unexpected returns — and many valuable lessons for the reader. Through the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success, Burg teaches readers how to find fulfillment by giving more and taking less. As a small business owner, you’ll gain insights on how to provide value to customers, market your services and much more.

Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

As a small business owner, time is your most valuable resource. Between promoting your products, hiring a team, managing your finances and creating marketing materials, it’s easy to watch the day get away from you. In Buy Back Your Time, author Dan Martell helps entrepreneurs regain control of their time, master their calendars and achieve greater productivity.

Martell shares several strategies for “buying back” time by delegating, outsourcing and automating tasks. This includes the “Buyback Principle” of employing help to manage the more menial tasks of your day-to-day so you’re better able to focus on revenue-generating activities. Buy Back Time also shares practical yet impactful tips for how to avoid burnout, prioritize tasks, generate more sales and scale your business. The result is a better work-life balance, happier employees and a more sustainable business.

Related: I Built a Billion-Dollar Company With the Help of These 19 Business Books

Chillpreneur by Denise Duffield-Thomas

Chillpreneur is the must-read guide for entrepreneurs who want to work smarter, not harder. Author Denise Duffield-Thomas encourages readers to adopt a “chill” approach to business: striving for success without intense effort or stress. She turns “hustle” culture on its head, assuring small business owners that it’s possible to run a financially sustainable business without compromising time (or sanity).

Duffield-Thomas’s take on entrepreneurship is one that’s focused on freedom and abundance rather than restriction and scarcity. As a money mindset coach, she shares an approach for building a business that aligns with your unique personality and skills, as well as financial goals.

In addition to money mindset strategies, the author shares practical tips on how to earn more while working less, master the marketing fundamentals, establish your prices and even overcome awkward money situations. Duffield-Thomas offers a fresh perspective on how to grow a business — not by “grinding” your way to success, but by finding balance and enjoying the journey.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth Revisited is the updated version of Michael E. Gerber’s original book, The E-Myth, recounting what NOT to do as a small business owner. The book tackles many misconceptions about starting a small business.

One such misconception is that technical expertise alone is enough to run a successful company. Gerber explains that many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that being good at a specific skill — whether it’s baking, plumbing or graphic design — automatically translates into the ability to run a business. He refers to this as the “Entrepreneurial Myth” or “E-Myth.”

The book explains that successful entrepreneurs need to step into both their roles as technicians and leaders/managers. This includes building systems and processes that ultimately result in a more efficient, financially sound business. Furthermore, Gerber provides practical advice on how to work on the business rather than just in it, empowering small business owners to find more fulfillment and economic success.

This updated edition is a great resource for any entrepreneur looking to grow their business without burning out or overloading themselves with technical tasks.

Related: 7 Books to Help You Build a Better Business

Measure What Matters by John Doerr

When it comes to practical matters, Measure What Matters is your guide. This book explores the power of setting tangible goals and establishing your objectives and key results (OKRs) to measure success. In it, author John Doerr provides a step-by-step framework for setting business milestones, measuring results and achieving your financial goals.

Doerr relays how today’s most notable companies — like Google, Bono and the Gates Foundation — have achieved success by “measuring what matters.” In other words, they focus on the activities that are most likely to move them toward their business objectives. The lesson is that small businesses can do the same, clearly defining their goals and measuring results so they can stay focused on what truly matters.

Through real-world examples, Doerr shows how OKRs can help small business owners prioritize tasks, stay agile and achieve scalable growth.

Learning new things and expanding your mind is a great way to evolve professionally and personally. This is really no secret. The trick is finding the time to expand your mind. Reading books is a great way to do that, but it’s not that easy.

With packed schedules and endless distractions at home and in the office, finding time to read entire books can feel impossible. That’s exactly the thought behind Headway.

This unique app delivers bite-size, easy-to-digest summaries of the world’s best nonfiction titles that you can read or listen to in just 15 minutes. And right now, you can get lifetime access for just $47.99 (reg. $299.95) with code LEVELUP20 through March 30.

Unlike traditional reading apps, Headway was made to fit into your life instead of demanding hours of commitment. Whether you prefer to listen or read, Headway offers multiple formats so you can learn on the go—during your commute, workout, or coffee break.

The app covers a vast range of topics, from business strategies and leadership skills to personal finance, productivity hacks, and self-improvement topics. Plus, with 30 to 50 new summaries added monthly, there’s always fresh content to explore.

What sets Headway apart is its ability to curate personalized recommendations based on your interests and goals. Instead of sifting through thousands of titles, the app guides you to the insights that matter most to you.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for actionable strategies, a business professional sharpening your skills, or simply someone who wants to finally carve out time to grow, Headway delivers high-impact knowledge without the fluff.

And because staying motivated is key, Headway makes learning fun with gamification. Track your progress, take on challenges, and earn achievements as you build a habit of lifelong learning.

Don’t miss getting a lifetime of Headway Premium access for just $47.99 (reg. $299.95) with code LEVELUP20 through March 30.

Why this deal is worth it

Most learning platforms require monthly subscriptions that add up over time. But this one-time payment gives you lifetime access to Headway’s full catalog of summaries with no recurring fees or limitations. It’s an affordable way to investment in your—and your business’s—growth and a quick way to learn something new, even when you don’t have much extra time on your hands.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

As we navigate an era of significant demographic changes and swift technological progress, entrepreneurs are increasingly challenged to maintain optimal health and mental sharpness. According to Mad Genius, by 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older, emphasizing the importance of health strategies for both immediate and future well-being.

This guide provides essential strategies to manage the complexities of modern entrepreneurship effectively while prioritizing personal well-being and productivity.

Related: Why Personal Health and Wellness Are Key to Business Longevity

1. Exercise regularly and make healthy food choices

Staying active is crucial not just for physical health but also for mental well-being. According to GymFloor, 49% of people exercise primarily to improve their overall health, while 34% focus on specific health goals. The benefits of regular exercise extend beyond body fitness; they also include stress management and a boost in mental resilience. Simultaneously, managing body composition is vital for overall health. According to Advanced Integrated Health, essential body fat necessary for survival comprises about 3% for men and 12% for women. Yet, many store more than this, leading to excess subcutaneous and visceral fat, which can pose serious health risks.

Post-holiday indulgences have spurred me to shed extra body fat, aiming for benefits like increased testosterone levels, which enhance muscle growth, energy levels and mood. Crucially, dietary adjustments are needed because effective fat loss cannot be achieved through exercise alone. By opting for healthier food choices and managing caloric intake, I’m committed to a sustainable health regimen that tackles both fitness and fat reduction.

2. Protect your vision

Good vision is essential for anyone, but for entrepreneurs spending long hours in front of screens, it becomes critical. According to Eye7, vision impairment affects over 2.2 billion people worldwide, with cataracts being the leading cause, impacting 65.2 million individuals. Most cases occur in those over 50, with over 80% experiencing moderate to severe vision loss. As an entrepreneur who has spent many years working at a computer, I’ve learned the importance of eye care. Initially, I noticed a decline in one eye’s performance, leading me to start wearing glasses while working. However, there’s a cautionary note: Becoming overly dependent on glasses can make your vision reliant on them.

To combat this, focus on good eye hygiene, which involves more than just wearing glasses. It’s crucial to regularly shift your gaze from your screen to distant objects to relax your eye muscles. Keeping your eyes hydrated and eating foods rich in nutrients good for eye health, such as carrots, are also essential practices. These simple steps can significantly improve your eye health, preserve your vision and enhance overall productivity.

Related: Is it Possible to Balance a Career and Personal Wellness? 26 Entrepreneurs Share Their Own Tips

3. Take vitamins

Taking vitamins daily has become a prevalent health practice worldwide, with more than 60% of consumers globally incorporating them into their daily routines, according to VitalityPro. This statistic highlights the growing awareness among entrepreneurs of the importance of micronutrients in enhancing physical and mental performance.

Vitamins help fill nutritional gaps in our diets, especially on busy days when well-balanced meals might take a backseat to urgent work demands. They can support everything from energy levels and cognitive function to immune system strength, which are all vital for maintaining stamina and sharpness in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

4. Use health apps

The global health app market reached $5.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.9% from 2023 to 2030, according to ScnSoft. This significant growth underscores the increasing popularity of technology in managing health, particularly among entrepreneurs who strive to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Utilizing apps to monitor various mental and physical health metrics such as daily steps, cardio activities and overall movement helps users stay informed about their physical health patterns. In addition to basic fitness tracking, other apps offer insights into nutrition, meditation practices and sleep quality analysis.

5. Never ask Google for health advice

Relying solely on Google for health advice can be a risky practice, especially for those of us prone to hypochondria. Searching for symptoms online often leads to reading about the worst-case scenarios, which can spiral into excessive worry and anxiety. Many of us have experienced this — feeling a minor symptom, turning to Google, and after 30 minutes of reading, becoming convinced of a dire prognosis. This cycle of fear and self-diagnosis can be harmful and counterproductive.

Instead of falling into this trap, a more constructive approach involves using AI tools like ChatGPT. When you share your symptoms with ChatGPT and mention a history of hypochondria, the AI can provide a balanced perspective without the alarmist tone often found in online medical forums. However, it’s important to remember that while AI like ChatGPT can guide when to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, these tools are not replacements for professional medical advice. They are currently not equipped to diagnose conditions with high accuracy.

Looking to the future, the role of AI in medical diagnostics is expected to grow significantly. According to MyOr, clinicians believe that the majority of their decisions will be influenced by AI within the next 10 years. In the future, AI technology is anticipated to play a more substantial role, potentially leading to faster and more accurate diagnoses. This evolving integration of technology highlights the importance of balancing AI insights with expert human judgment in healthcare.

Related: 8 Natural Wellness Habits That Will Keep You Mentally Healthy and Happy

In conclusion, as entrepreneurs navigate an evolving business and health landscape, integrating proactive health strategies becomes crucial. By prioritizing regular exercise, proper diet, vision care and the use of health apps, we can maintain our physical and mental well-being efficiently. Additionally, embracing the growing influence of AI in healthcare can guide us in making informed decisions about our health needs. Emphasizing these practices ensures that we remain capable and resilient in the face of both current demands and future challenges.

In a new interview with Stratechery’s Ben Thompson this week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, 39, said when he was graduating high school “the obvious tactical thing was [to] get really good at coding.”

Now, Altman says: “The obvious tactical thing is just get really good at using AI tools.”

He’s not alone, as many top tech CEOs have noted that AI is getting better at writing code. Earlier this month, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said that AI will write all code for software engineers within a year. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, meanwhile, told Joe Rogan in January that the company is developing new AI that will be able to write “a lot of the code in our apps.”

Related: Amazon Cloud CEO Predicts a Future Where Most Software Engineers Don’t Code — and AI Does It Instead

Altman told Stratechery that mastering AI tools is “the new version” of learning to code and that at least half of code authorship is currently being automated.

“I think in many companies, it’s probably past 50% now,” Altman said. “But the big thing I think will come with agentic coding, which no one’s doing for real yet.”

When asked outright if his company would still be hiring software engineers, Altman said that right now, there is plenty of work, but in the long run, the exact AI they are working on might end up thinning out the job market.

“My basic assumption is that each software engineer will just do much, much more for a while,” Altman said. “And then at some point, yeah, maybe we do need less software engineers.”

Related: Microsoft Leaked Internal Survey Reveals How Software Engineers Really Feel About Their $205,000 Median Pay

There’s a little-known secret that 75-year-old billionaire Ray Dalio credits for his success: transcendental meditation.

Dalio is best known for founding Bridgewater Associates in 1975 and building it into the world’s largest hedge fund, with $97.2 billion in assets as of 2023. He is worth over $16 billion at the time of writing, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with most of his fortune coming from his $6.65 billion stake in Bridgewater.

“The best advice that I could give anybody, I think, it would be to meditate, and that’s because it gives you a calmness and equanimity,” Dalio told CNBC earlier this week. “Whatever success I’ve had in life has been more due to my meditating than anything else.”

Related: Worried About the Market? Here’s How Warren Buffett, Ray Dalio, and Harvard University Protect Their Portfolios

Dalio disclosed in 2021 to the outlet that he practices transcendental meditation, which involves repeating a mantra or a short sound or word for a set amount of time, for twenty minutes, twice a day. The aim is to focus the mind and help the practitioner achieve a state of deep relaxation.

Dalio says that each 20-minute meditation session feels like a “20-minute vacation” that calms him down and helps him make better decisions. He comes up with creative ideas during his sessions, emerging with a clearer mind.

^{Ray Dalio. Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images}

Research has shown that transcendental meditation can reduce trauma symptoms and improve mental health. A March 2020 study published in the journal “Brain and Cognition” showed that participants who practiced transcendental meditation felt less depression, anxiety, and stress.

Dalio first started meditating in 1968, seven years before founding Bridgewater Associates. He was inspired by The Beatles, who popularized the practice in 1967. Dalio sustained the practice for the following five decades of the hedge fund’s growth before stepping down as co-CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, Bridgewater established a management style called “radical transparency,” which means that all meetings are recorded and available to the entire organization and constructive criticism of colleagues is encouraged.

Related: This ‘2-Minute Rule’ Will Help You Brainstorm the Best Ideas, Says a Hedge Fund Manager Who’s Worth $15.4 Billion

Dalio isn’t the only billionaire who swears by meditation. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson meditated 30,000 feet in the air on the world’s first meditation flight with Virgin Australia in 2018. The same year, the billionaire introduced a meditation, sleep, and stretch room in the London Virgin office.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey shared in a February 2025 episode of the “In Good Company” podcast he used to go on a 10-day silent meditation retreat every year for five years before the pandemic. At these retreats, he would meditate from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. and stop speaking entirely.

I had been having four cups of coffee a week with potential clients and acquiring about one out of four. The back-of-the-napkin data I was keeping showed my conversion rate from “Buying Conversation” to signing a new client was 27.59%.

Then “it” happened. For almost two months, nobody bought anything – it was a business development desert out there. I learned later I had contracted a bad case of what I like to call “Commission Breath” (yeah, it should be capitalized – it’s an official selling disease). I had unconsciously moved to a place where I was more intent on separating potential clients from their money than actually trying to help them. I was focused on selling, not serving, and they could smell it. As a result, I developed the “Four Walking-In Commitments,” and not long after, “Commission Breath” was a thing of the past.

I was never trained to do sales. I didn’t like it and wanted to put all my energies into serving my existing customers. But in my first business, it didn’t take long to find out that I had to have buying conversations in order to have clients. So, cups of coffee became a staple weekly activity for me.

Related: Tips for Acing Your Next Client Meeting

Early on, I was relieved to find a cure for the common cold call in these “Buying Conversations” with the simple principle: serve — don’t sell. I learned how to stop having “Selling Conversations” and to flip the script to “Buying Conversations,” where I was no longer selling, but the customer was actively pursuing me to buy.

For decades, I’ve embraced three business development principles, and these eventually gave birth to what I call “Walking-In Commitments.”

1. Meet people where they are — not where I want them to be. Many sales tactics are built around enticing the potential customer to join me “over here,” mentally or emotionally, to look at my product from my point of view. When we do the opposite and meet them where they are, we gain trust. Where are they right now? Personally?
2. Seek to understand — not to be understood. Listen and truly hear first, and listen more than talk. If you want them to understand you, they need to know you understand them first. When they feel understood, they are much more likely to want to hear what you have to say.
3. Serve — don’t sell. Their best interest must be served. Many times, what people want is not what they need, and selling them what they want could backfire on you and on them. When we put the longterm best interests of the customer first, we serve them by steering them to what they need, even if it’s not something we provide. Zig Ziglar was right: you’ll get what you want after you get your customers what they need.

The “Walking-in Commitments”

With these three simple buying principles in mind, over the years, I developed the habit of reviewing four intentions we eventually called “Walking-In Commitments” because we reviewed them as we walked into meetings with potential clients. I memorized them, and I review them every time I meet with a potential client:

1. I intend to serve this person, not to sell.
2. I will not talk about my business unless asked.
3. I intend to make money from this meeting.
4. I will make an offer.

Related: How Do You Acquire Clients in Any Situation? You Need to Ask These Questions.

At first reading, it could easily look like committing to one or two of the “Walking-In Commitments” would make it impossible to commit to the others. Let’s unpack them to find they are congruent:

I intend to serve— not sell. Nobody wants to be sold anything. I intend to find out what they need and offer them that, even if it’s somebody else’s product or service. I’m committed to doing what is best for them, not for our company. If both our interests line up, great. If not, I will steer them to a product or service that truly meets their needs. It has to work for both of us, not just for me.

I will not talk about my business unless asked. – This sounds like financial suicide, right? But I’ve been committed to it for a few decades, and I’m convinced if you stop talking about your business in One2One meetings unless you’re asked, you will gain more clients. And we have to ask the tricky question: if you’re in a 60-minute cup of coffee and they never ask about me or my business, do I really want to do business with them?

I intend to make money from this meeting. If I just want to serve and won’t talk about my business unless asked, it’s hard to see how I’m going to make money from this meeting. Please note, though, that I didn’t say I intended to make money in this meeting, but rather, I intended to make money from this meeting.

I met with a business owner, and I found out in the first few minutes that she and her spouse had lost their babysitter for their 20th-anniversary dinner that evening. Did she need my service right now? No, she needed a babysitter. So I got hold of my spouse, who gave us contacts, and we called around our neighborhood and found a babysitter. That took 20 minutes or so, and we didn’t have much time left to backtrack into having a “Buying Conversation.” But I still intended to make money from that meeting. And I did, by making her the right offer.

I intend to make an offer. My offer was what she needed, not what I needed – a babysitter. I also offered to meet again, but we never did. Eight months later, a business owner called who needed help with her fast-growing business. She and I had a great working relationship for a long time. The woman was the sister of the woman who had lost her babysitter. I had kept all four walking-in commitments. I served her by getting her a babysitter, and I didn’t talk about my business because it didn’t come up in the context of solving her problem. I gave her an offer (a babysitter), and many months later, I made money from that meeting, not in that meeting. This isn’t voodoo or mystical karma. You get what you intend, and you reap what you sow.

The four “Walking-In Commitments” separate us from salespeople who have been taught the only successful conclusion to a meeting is to sell something. It is my conviction that when we focus on relationships instead of transactions, we will always do better in the long run. I would love it if everybody who came in needed my services. And when they don’t, I steer them to what they need because I know I will get what I need down the road.

If you memorize these “Walking-in Commitments,” as thousands of business owners have, they could make all the difference walking into your next meeting, and they are a great way to ensure you never have “Commission Breath” again.

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While most businesses are still implementing generative AI, a more profound revolution is rapidly approaching. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will fundamentally transform how companies operate by 2027, creating unprecedented advantages for early adopters and existential threats for those who lag behind.

In my current role as Vice President of Commercial Marketing at Intel and throughout my two decades in the innovation space, I’ve observed how quickly competitive advantages vanish when companies miss technological inflection points. AGI represents exactly such a moment — one that will redefine business operations across every industry far beyond what today’s specialized AI systems can achieve.

Related: The Artificial General Intelligence Revolution Is Coming — Here’s What Every Leader Needs to Consider

The intelligence leap that changes everything

Despite AGI’s impending transformation of the business landscape, many executives who are actively rolling out AI initiatives remain uncertain about its broader implications. Instead of preparing for AGI’s strategic impact, they remain focused on refining AI workflows in narrow applications. In fact, in response to one of my recent LinkedIn newsletters, several executives echoed this sentiment, with one summing it up perfectly: “We were all busy understanding AI, and now AGI? Things are moving so fast.”

That sense of urgency isn’t misplaced. Where today’s AI may excel at specific tasks — like analyzing historical performance — AGI takes a quantum leap forward. It can process information, reason and perform tasks in unfamiliar domains without explicit instruction. The classic “coffee test” illustrates this perfectly: An AGI system can independently learn what coffee is, understand brewing principles and then physically prepare a cup without explicit programming. Now imagine that same adaptability revolutionizing everything from logistics to marketing in every industry.

The five waves of business transformation

Through my work helping businesses implement AI across industries, I’ve identified five interconnected waves that I believe will reshape competitive advantage:

1. Strategic decision intelligence

Today’s businesses operate primarily on backward-looking data. In boardrooms everywhere, executives analyze past performance before attempting to forecast what comes next, with human judgment bridging historical data and future predictions.

Financial institutions provide an early glimpse of what’s coming. Currently, they employ analysts to identify trends, who then inform treasury teams — a fragmented approach creating inevitable delays. Systems like DeepSeek R1 and Claude from Anthropic will eliminate these handoffs, processing microeconomic signals and social sentiment in real time.

But AGI won’t simply process more data — it will identify patterns completely invisible to your most talented analysts, delivering insights that previously required millions spent on consultants.

2. Autonomous operations design

This ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time naturally extends beyond decision-making into execution, with AGI systems autonomously optimizing logistics, inventory and resource allocation with unprecedented precision.

Companies adopting these capabilities quickly will gain substantial cost advantages while delivering higher-quality products. This isn’t merely about efficiency — it’s about enabling entirely new business models that are impossible under human constraints.

Related: Artificial General Intelligence: The Next Frontier In Technology

3. Human-AGI collaborative intelligence

As AGI reshapes operations and decision-making, its most powerful impact will come not from replacing humans but from fostering an entirely new level of collaboration. Forward-thinking organizations will automate routine tasks while redirecting their people toward creative problem-solving and innovation.

This collaborative model elevates precisely those skills that remain uniquely human — creative thinking, ethical judgment and interpersonal connection. Organizations that master how specialized AI systems work together — leveraging specialized models to enhance human decision-making, streamline workflows and maximize operational effectiveness — will build the foundation for seamless AGI integration.

4. Customer experience revolution

While AGI optimizes internal business operations, its impact will be just as profound on customer interactions. Current AI enables basic personalization, but AGI will make hyper-individualized products both technically feasible and economically viable at scale.

Imagine sending a hair sample to a company that develops shampoo formulated specifically for your biology. In an AGI-powered world, this level of customization won’t remain a premium luxury; it will become the expected standard for competitive differentiation.

We’ve already seen AI voice cloning deployed in various contexts — now extend that personalization to every customer interaction. When AGI powers your customer experience, relationships transform from transactional exchanges to deeply personal connections.

5. Innovation acceleration advantage

All these capabilities converge to dramatically compress innovation cycles. AGI-driven companies won’t just outpace competitors — they’ll continuously reinvent business models, making old ones obsolete.

Retail businesses will precisely forecast trending products by instantly analyzing millions of consumer data points. Pharmaceutical companies will develop customized treatments for individual patients. Manufacturers will optimize production by considering thousands of variables simultaneously.

This surge surpasses minor product enhancements and heralds the reinvention of entire industries. Forward-thinking businesses must begin preparing for AGI today.

The question isn’t whether AGI will transform your industry but who will lead that transformation. Organizations that recognize this shift require more than technical implementation — they need a comprehensive strategy.

Your strategic roadmap for the AGI future

To prepare for AGI’s transformational impact, I recommend business leaders take the following proactive steps now:

1. Assess your AI maturity: Evaluate which systems you’ve deployed and identify where AGI can create the greatest competitive advantages.

2. Launch strategic pilot programs: Start with non-critical areas to build institutional knowledge that will transfer to broader AGI adoption.

3. Develop AI infrastructure: Today’s generative AI projects serve as stepping stones for integrating more advanced AGI technologies.

4. Optimize AI collaboration: Mastering how specialized AI systems work together ensures seamless AGI integration when the time comes.

5. Establish responsible governance: Blockchain technology can provide accountability, functioning like a financial ledger where entries are only added or subtracted, never deleted.

Related: Need for Robust AGI Regulatory Frameworks High Say Global AI Experts

As AGI integrates into business systems, opportunities and risks will escalate simultaneously. Companies must strengthen cybersecurity while building AGI capabilities — a dual challenge that defines the coming transformation.

The decisions you make in the next 24 months will determine your company’s future — leader or laggard in the AGI revolution. This isn’t about gradual adaptation; it’s about strategic transformation. The organizations that begin preparing today will shape industries; those that wait will face obsolescence.

The future belongs to the prepared. Will your business be among them?

For today’s entrepreneur, the world is your oyster — you can start a business from anywhere and sell to everywhere. Having this global perspective is slowly becoming a prerequisite for building a successful business.

To that end, I encourage you to take inspiration from the world of startups. Startups have always been about thinking big. From day one, the goal is rarely to dominate a local market — it’s to disrupt industries, grow globally and create impact at scale.

This ambition, however, means that offices in different countries, investors in various cities and partners scattered around the world are not just aspirations but necessities. If your business crosses state lines and national borders, so will your itinerary. Because a Zoom call is almost never enough to motivate a team, close an investment or onboard a new partner.

Face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable, meaning that travel will be a major part of your life if you’re building a global business. And, well, that’s precisely what I’m doing.

Recently, I had 15 flights, including transatlantic and transcontinental ones, over two months. While this level of travel is exhilarating, it’s also exhausting. It’s made me reflect on how much effort goes into ensuring my company runs smoothly while I’m unavailable. And it’s not just about the business — it’s personally taxing, too. I’ve had to adopt a strict routine to avoid letting flights and time zone changes destroy my productivity and wellbeing.

Here are three strategies that have helped me keep my startup running seamlessly from 30,000 feet.

Related: Pilots Use This Checklist to Analyze and Reduce Flight Risks. Here’s How It Can Help Entrepreneurs, Too.

1. Set your teams up for success with quarterly planning

In most startups and young companies, the CEO is the linchpin of the organization. But if the entire operation relies on one person, it’s a recipe for disaster — especially when that person is constantly on the move.

That’s why quarterly planning is a must. Each quarter, my teams and I align on the targets we need to hit and the results we need to deliver, both as an organization and as individuals. This isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about empowering teams to take ownership of their work.

When everyone knows what they’re responsible for, they can self-organize and execute without constant oversight. This structure ensures that even when I’m on a 12-hour flight or in back-to-back meetings, the business keeps moving forward.

Quarterly planning also creates a rhythm for the company. It allows us to celebrate wins, learn from setbacks and adjust our strategy as needed. It’s not just about surviving while I’m away — it’s about thriving.

2. Build a team that can self-organize

Planning can only take you so far. To bring those plans to life, you need the right people. Hiring for a growing company is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face — and it can make or break your business.

The question is: Will you hire high performers who are aligned with and invested in your mission? Or will you end up with box-tickers who won’t make a move without your approval?

I’ve learned that hiring the latter might seem more manageable in the short term, but it’s a costly mistake, especially if you don’t have the time and resources to tend to their every need. In that sense, the former — a team of self-starters who know what needs to be done and take initiative — is worth every penny.

When you have the right people in place, you don’t need to micromanage. They’ll step up, solve problems, and keep the business moving forward, even when you’re halfway across the world. That said, you must give them the trust and space to do so. There’s nothing worse than hiring high-performers and squandering their potential through micromanagement.

3. Take care of yourself — maintain routines to stay sharp

Frequent travel takes a toll. Jet lag, disrupted sleep and long hours in cramped airplane seats can wreak havoc on your productivity and wellbeing. That’s why maintaining personal routines is crucial.

For me, this means prioritizing workouts. Even if it’s just a quick session at the hotel gym, I always ensure there is a gym wherever I’m staying. It means sticking to healthy eating habits, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep — even when my schedule is packed.

I’ve also found that cold showers and mindfulness practices help me stay sharp and focused. These small habits might seem trivial, but they’re game-changers when you’re juggling a hectic travel schedule and the demands of running a startup.

The reality is that if you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t bring your best self to your business. And when you’re the CEO, your energy and focus set the tone for the entire company.

Related: How to Start (and Run) a 7-Figure Business While Traveling the World

Putting it all together

Running a startup while constantly on the move is no small feat. It requires careful planning, a rock-solid team and a commitment to self-care. But with the right systems in place, it’s possible to keep your business running smoothly — even from 30,000 feet.

Quarterly planning ensures your teams stay aligned and empowered. Hiring the right people creates a foundation of trust and initiative. And maintaining personal routines keeps you sharp and resilient, no matter how many time zones you cross.

At the end of the day, entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. And if you want to go the distance, you need to build a business — and a lifestyle — that can keep up.