70 ESSAYS

Essays

Building ventures past the point where the imported advice stops working.

Range
2018–2026
Sorted
Most recent first
№ 037 Stay-Up Philosophy

Survivorship Bias Has a Brand Problem

Why the founder stories you read are statistically the wrong ones to learn from. Survivorship bias is well-known. The brand layer that compounds it is not, and it is the reason imported founder lessons consistently fail to transfer to the contexts where they are most enthusiastically applied.

28 Apr 2026 · 11 min read
Beyond Independence: The Founder’s Stake in Zimbabwe’s Unfinished Project
№ 581 African Capital

Beyond Independence: The Founder’s Stake in Zimbabwe’s Unfinished Project

Independence gave Zimbabweans a country. Building it is unfinished work, and founders carry a particular share of that responsibility. A piece for the operators who refuse to write the country off.

18 Apr 2026 · 8 min read
Storytelling as Strategy: How to Make Your Brand Unforgettable
№ 864 Uncategorized

Storytelling as Strategy: How to Make Your Brand Unforgettable

What makes some brands unforgettable while others fade into obscurity? The answer often lies in their ability to tell a compelling story. Storytelling isn’t…

16 Jan 2025 · 4 min read
Success Stories: A constellation of projects
№ 671 Business Development

Success Stories: A constellation of projects

Gone are the days of "I'm going to be a doctor" or "I'll work for Tesla for life." My career path has always been…

24 Apr 2024 · 1 min read
The High Cost of Bad Advice: Why You Need to Be Cautious When Seeking Business Guidance
№ 534 Business Development

The High Cost of Bad Advice: Why You Need to Be Cautious When Seeking Business Guidance

As entrepreneurs, we seek guidance from experts to help our businesses grow and succeed. However, not all experts are created equal. Some may provide…

21 Mar 2023 · 2 min read
How to Balance Swiftness and Patience in Business Development
№ 444 Sales

How to Balance Swiftness and Patience in Business Development

The phrase "Don't rush the process" is a valuable piece of business advice that has helped many achieve great results in their marketing efforts.…

7 Feb 2023 · 2 min read
Observe and Succeed: How to Use Engaged Observation for Effective Marketing
№ 382 Business Development

Observe and Succeed: How to Use Engaged Observation for Effective Marketing

In today's ever-changing business environment, it's crucial to keep up with new marketing strategies to stay ahead of the competition. Having a steady flow…

23 Jan 2023 · 2 min read
The Power of Storytelling in Marketing: How to Connect with Your Audience.
№ 348 Uncategorized

The Power of Storytelling in Marketing: How to Connect with Your Audience.

Storytelling has been a powerful tool for human communication since the dawn of time. From campfire stories to modern-day advertising, the ability to craft…

18 Jan 2023 · 3 min read
Is there any business case for human compassion?
№ 667 Business Development

Is there any business case for human compassion?

Growing up, we were exposed through TV to the concept of Robin Hood type of superheroes who would go to the end of the…

7 Feb 2018 · 4 min read
Use brand storytelling to attract more great clients.
№ 650 Business Development

Use brand storytelling to attract more great clients.

Have you ever thought about how brand storytelling can impact your marketing and help your business attract more great clients? Why is it that…

5 Feb 2018 · 2 min read