The last one...

Sushi shops, micropublishing and divine interventions

This is the last post for 2023 and it’s no place for the standard annual wrap up. Instead I wish to say a huge thank you for reading The Executive Summary this year.

When I lived in Japan, I used to love the tiny sushi shops that could sit only a few diners. Family owned, they were completely focused on doing one thing well for a few people. That was a more noble task than trying to please everyone.

I’ve always liked the idea of micropublishing for that reason. A small, well-defined and engaged audience is far more interesting than larger communities. Don’t get me wrong, that can be powerful, but I’m interested in writing for people I like these days.

There are people I don’t know who have tried to subscribe to the Executive Summary – and they aren’t coming in. The rules are the rules. You have to be a CEO – or work in that arena. And we have to know each other.

I want to thank you for giving this a chance and allowing a weekly CEO challenge into your inbox.

The only two points on this year I will make are short:

1 – How we are not in a formal recession yet is either some kind of divine intervention or someone extremely gifted in reporting has been running communications. (My friends in the Met police say they are picking up much larger numbers of homeless people than ever.)

2 – Some folks have done well this year, but many have found it tough. If your business made it through not only a pandemic, but a year that has been for many industries a real struggle due to inflation, interest rates and geopolitical chaos, you should take a moment to toast your achievements and thank those around you who helped. These have not been normal years.

As for me, I’ll be spending Christmas with my family and enjoying probably the last one where my little boys believe in Santa (they have new bikes this year).

In the New Year, I’m rebooting Tollejo, the growth consultancy, and hopefully making some announcements around Ventures. The Executive Summary will kick off breakfasts and you’ll start to see guest editor posts from CEOs.

I wish you a Happy Christmas and a growth-packed 2024.

Dan

(Sorry for the standard wrap up.)