Bizlife Smarts

The Battle for Our Souls: AI versus Advanced Intelligence

mopondobizlifesmarts — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:26:26 +0000

In this piece, references to ‘Advanced Intelligence’ will be spelled out in full, while ‘AI’ will reference Artificial Intelligence.

What is the Advanced Intelligence Age you may ask? People will ignore this question to focus on the AI-driven, Technology Age. But things are moving so fast that many will be caught off-footed, and completely miss the boat (some age-old vessels still make the best analogies ). Therefore, let me use the popular view to establish my premise. Many would be of the view that the Technology Age began in 1974. That was with the invention of the first successful commercial personal computer, the Altair 8800. As I’ve said, I beg to differ with this popular opinion regarding the Technology Age. So, to clarify, let’s begin with a couple of definitions.

Getting the language right

Technology: the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry; or, machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge.

Artificial Intelligence: the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, image/audio/video construction and autonomy, or the scale and complexity of which exceed human capability.

Advanced Intelligence: an evolution of human mental capability that manages the evolution of our environments, and harnesses and leverages the utility of AI technology.

Now, the first has existed since the origin of man, as seen in the image below. However, it is a fustian (pretentious…see what I just did there?) term. Most people blurt out some variation of the second, without understanding. On the other hand, the latter has pinpoint accuracy to our current era.

Technology, from beginning to end

So, I believe that we should always consider entities in terms of function, purpose, and utility; not form. Now, let me say that again in English. We should look at things in terms of what they do, deliver, how they make us feel, and what value they add to our lives; not just what physical attributes they possess. Let’s look at AI in that context.

The history of AI

Source: Lai Man Po.

As an example, let us use the history of AI. Tell me, what is wrong with the above image? No offense to LM Po but, while appearing to be more comprehensive than that below, can you understand anything it is saying below the labels indicating the various ages of AI?! I can’t!

And that is the problem with the current discourse around AI. It’s all over the place, and often unintelligible.

Source: Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia.

What is the point? – Advanced intelligence, through learning…duh!

Now that we have glossed over (yes…yawn!) the theory and evolution of AI, let’s get to the crux of the matter. Evidently, the problem with AI is that people are focusing on the wrong thing(s)!

To re-emphasize, the worst mistake people make is to focus on features and attributes (trinkets as you may) instead of the substance of a thing. In other words, too many people are focusing on the history and evolution of form of AI; not function. AI, the colloquial artificial intelligence is all about the features. Correspondingly, ChatGPT, image creation, robotics, cutting corners using machines, Alexa, self-driving cars are all we hear about. But how do these things actually serve us? What is their utility? Ultimately, how do they make our lives qualitatively better, or more advanced? Unfortunately, those tooting artificial intelligence, with blinders on, as the next great thing, are eagerly giving up control of their lives to features and contraptions that they don’t even truly understand.

Advanced Learning

On the other hand, Advanced Learning is a relatively different matter. Advanced learning is about individuals getting smarter, and more in control of everything that surrounds us. Ergo, Advanced Intelligence.

Rise in average IQ: 1909 – 2013

IQ bell curve distribution

The floor is being raised

You see, with the growth in average global IQ over the last century, the corresponding potential for human capability is immense. Everybody is being brought along. As a consequence, the global intelligence floor is being raised. And that my friends, is the whole point of this! Not the fancy features and gadgets, but making the whole world smarter, so that we are in better control of our environments.

So, do I need to say anymore? Do I close the piece off here?

Well, maybe not…because there is a bit more knowledge needed to bring it full circle.

Therefore, before I close the loop, let me touch on the some of the prevailing AI debates that are leading us down the wrong garden path. There are many sources such as https://beam.ai/agentic-insights/the-5-biggest-ai-myths-and-the-truth-behind-them highlighting the AI myths, but in the spirit of advanced intelligence, let me simplify these myths – the KISS principle.

Random Myth A: Sky falling on my head myth: AI will make human jobs obsolete

There’s nothing to fear, but fear itself!

Making it better!

I recently had a ~~discussion~~ argument with a ~~friend~~ acquaintance about AI, and he started out by chest-thumping about being an expert in the field. In return, in not so polite language, I dismissed him; refusing to engage in an obsolete argument. Actually, I told him that it was a st***d premise he was making. Definitely not how to make friends, my friends! You see, my point is as follows.

Looking back, did jobs in the energy sector disappear with the decline of coal power? Similarly, did copy typists, secretaries and photocopy machine attendants (Gen Zs and Alphas, they actually once did exist) being made obsolete by networked personal computers lead to the extinction of office management and support services? No. Energy sector workers grew in the fields of electrification, hydro, solar, gas and wind power. Our copy typist from my early days in advertising, became an administrative assistant. Resultantly too, an IT department was created for office administrative support, doubling the number of people employed in that capacity.

The truth

Hence, revisiting my first image at the top of this piece. The progress of (wo)man has always entailed the obsolescence of the old, and replacement with new skills. Correspondingly, this brings with it labour market growth, to serve new, more complex technologies. It’s not just the rudimentary, panacea argument of “reskilling the workforce”. The essence of debunking this myth mirrors Darwin’s theory of evolution – those who are most adaptable to progress, are best equipped to thrive. Finally, human jobs in the fields of research and data scientists; cybersecurity and corporate/ industry ethics; and computer, robotics and industrial engineering will all grow out of AI – top to bottom.

Random Myth B: Movies-generated – Robots are going to subjugate humanity

Movies

Ordinary reality

Advanced Intelligence

Look…you know that is just exaggerated iconography on the extreme right. But you get my point! Popular culture has spurred our imaginations to run away with us, on both extremes. In reality, robots will not develop human insight to eventually overrun us; neither will advanced intelligence grow our brains till they sprout out of our crania. Our future is the ordinary (wo)man with advanced intelligence adapting, and taking control of how AI makes our lives more efficient.

The truth

These are the current types of AI; and none of them is sentient.

Machine learning

Machine learning independently accesses and uses human generated data to function. For example, image & speech recognition, and virtual support agents. Thus, its value is only as good as the data fed in for it to access.

Generative AI

Generative AI develops new content based on large training datasets; again human-fed. Here, some examples include speech-to-text, image creation and ideation; and most famously ChatGPT.

Predictive AI

Following on, predictive AI, as its name implies, can be used to forecast results by analyzing patterns. It uses machine learning to learn and adapt, and also perform statistical analysis. However, like machine learning, it is only as good as the human-fed data and patterns fed into it. Here, we see marketing strategies, healthcare diagnoses, and supply chain management as examples.

Computer Vision

This version of AI enables machines to see the world visually. Here, technically it covers areas such as surveillance and facial recognition, object tracking, image classification and medical image analysis. You all know the Ring doorbell, that is being installed in so many homes? Well, there you go.

Enterprise AI

Now, this is the big leagues. Enterprise AI brings it all together at scale. It brings together the various applications in an industrial setting, to improve efficiency and decision-making. Here, we find real world applications such as fraud detection, production line & supply chain planning & management, optimised resource allocation, and predictive maintenance optimisation.

Catching a wake up, this is not the kindergarten league of the college kid using ChatGPT (I’m very aware that is an oxymoron ) to cheat on his term paper. Yet once again, it is Advanced Intelligence that gets the optimal results out of enterprise AI.

Self-Aware AI

As happened with that ~~friend~~ acquaintance, some arguments are just plain st***d. Those putting forward self-aware AI as something real are chasing a pipe dream…and they’ve watched The Terminator, and all The Matrix versions way too many times!

Random Myth C: Woe is me – Humans will lose skills & intelligence by relying on AI

If you have ever heard a parent lament how things today are not as good as they used to be, this is right down that alley.

The truth

Just because Gen Zs don’t pay attention, focus, or work as hard at the same things as Millenials, doesn’t make them less skilled, nor less intelligent. They are simply more focused and skilled at what matters in their lives today.

As a result, when you view all these AI myths and classifications with the lens of Advanced Intelligence, we won’t all get paranoic and hysterical, thinking that the sky will fall on our heads.

Advanced intelligence mitigates against AI risks

And herein lies the real utility of Advanced Intelligence. It confronts and manages the true realities of AI. It isn’t driven by the self-interest, fertile imaginations and misdirected greed for new income streams of those who have perpetuated the propogandist AI myths.

What exactly is Advanced Intelligence?

I’ve spent paragraphs on correcting perceptions of AI, and how to harness it’s utility to humankind. In return, I owe you an explanation on exactly what is this mitigation, that I call Advanced Intelligence? Unlike the paragraphs needed to understand AI, it is simply, and only needs one paragraph. Remember KISS?!

Advanced Intelligence is enabling learning for our children and youth in professional and life skills, versus education for a job sector career. It’s building awareness of what the world will look like in 5, 10, 20, and 30 years. We need skills in problem solving, analytics, creativity, innovation, and social sciences, rather than singular training to be a lawyer, banker or accountants. Science. It is still about pure sciences, social sciences and the arts; but it’s about learning and education for outcomes, not course material for a title.

The real risks of AI

Okay, as I approach my closing, I don’t want to scare you all, more than the myth purveyors already have. However, take heart. The real risks of AI can all be mitigated by Advanced Intelligence.

1. Ethical misuse

Unfortunately, these cover a wide range of manifestations, from academic dishonesty, to cyberbullying, to social manipulation, to deepfakes, to outright criminal activity. Similarly, the range of mitigating Advanced Intelligence runs from common sense, to moral obligations, to superior human mental capability. You apply these 3 things, and AI can be managed to mitigate the ethical risk.

2. Deepfakes

Although deepfakes are a subset of ethical misuse of AI, I isolate it specifically because of its prevalence, and because it is related to the next point; truth!

Many of us, both whose work and private lives entail significant time online, come across deepfakes all the time. I know that more often than not, I can identify them as such. The telltale signs are many. The same energy put into building the capabilities of AI should be put into building tools to identify and expose deep fakes. So, that is another potential revenue stream for AI cybersecurity.

3. Truth – Darwinian, or Orwellian evolution?

But also linked to this is the evolved definition of truth. Unfortunately, the woke wave led to the ridiculous notion that each person has their own, unique truth. No. Pure unadulterated truth is singular, universal, and incontrovertible. As AI develops, veritable truth must be paramount, and legislated into its application. Advanced Intelligence demands that we revert to, and perpetuate, the universal gold standard of truth.

AI presents us with the choice for the future of humanity. Red pill versus blue pill, is actually choosing either Darwinian, or Orwellian evolution. Humanity is at a crossroads, and can either drink from the fountain of progress, or the poisoned chalice. Thus, Advanced Intelligence can help us choose to develop enhanced capabilities to survive and thrive in our evolving environment, or be dominated by totalitarian control, surveillance, propaganda, and manipulation of truth.

4. Garbage in – garbage out

AI is only as robust and reliable as the datasets it feeds off. Seriously, can you imagine AI spitting out results, and driving functions, based on absolutely erroneous data; fed negligently or maliciously?! If human beings are robotically (pardon the pun ), and unthinkingly depending on AI, the more serious the AI function, the bigger the potential disaster. Again…say it with me class…the human intuition, and the application of Advanced Intelligence can sniff out bad outputs coming out of poor datasets, and inputs. Inconsistent outputs simply don’t gel with the silent voice of our life experiences speaking to us.

5. AI Hallucinations

AI hallucinations simply spit out wrong information based on AI’s inherent biases, based on how their datasets were created. These arise when AI tries to erroneously fill in trend gaps, lacks real-world understanding, or has training data limitations. It is purely due to this lack of human insight, that it is unable to correct for the understanding of anomalies.

Now say after me, ‘the mitigation is… …’.

6. The weaponisation of AI

Just think about it. In an increasingly volatile world, we elect leaders for their judgement, temperament, experience and wisdom. Then consider, an entity without judgement, insight or understanding of nuance, or reason controlling autonomous weapons, cyber warfare, covert operations, and counter-espionage?! A shocking thought!

If we ever approach the brink, the mitigation of Advanced Intelligence, and human insight, reason and judgement, are what will save the day.

7. Data privacy and security

Without extensive data, AI is nothing! In the quest to continually improve AI, the demand for data is ravenous, and all consuming. It will devour and absorb everything it comes in contact with. So, it starts with general non-intrusive information, but then graduates to more and more personal data. The more AI can mimic human behaviour, the better it performs its desired function. Once we cross that rubicon of the perfect AI, everyone’s private, personal information is at risk.

We must keep it top of mind that in this world, there are many bad actors. From hackers, to criminals, to political adversaries, to those who strive to control the new world order, whose intentions will not be noble. Their agenda is singular; defeat their adversaries at all costs. They will go beyond all limits of privacy and security safeguards to do so.

Borrowing from the past, for the future

In conclusion, I’m pretty sure you know the gentleman on the above left. But do you know the man on the right? I want to leave you with a famous quote from each of them. Let’s see if you know, or can hazard a guess on who said which.

“All theory, dear friend, is grey, but the golden tree of actual life springs ever green.”

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.“

What these wise men both knew is that, true Advanced Intelligence comes from a human life, well-experienced, and with a thirst for knowledge. Consequently, we also know that machines do not possess the attributes of which they reference in these quotes; only humans do.

It is time for corporate, social and country leaders to take the lead in instilling learning and adaptation for Advanced Intelligence. Thus, as the world moves into the new intelligence age, AI is simply a tool to make our lives more efficient, and actually easier to manage; not an entity to take over our lives.

The most intelligent person in human history

By the way, we all know that the man on the above left in the images above is Albert Einstein. His name is synonymous with intelligence. The man on the right is Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, the German polymath (person with deep knowledge across many fields), who Einstein called, ‘the last man in the world to know everything!’.

As the saying goes, those who do not learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it. The above quotes from these 2 wise men, and their professional achievements, are a clear guiding light for us on how to navigate the course ahead with AI, in this age of Advanced Intelligence.

For strategic advisory that will leverage uncommon sense and drive your bottom line, get in touch with us on bizlifesmarts@sageconsulting.co.ke.

The post The Battle for Our Souls: AI versus Advanced Intelligence appeared first on Bizlife Smarts.

6 ways to seize opportunity

mopondobizlifesmarts — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 17:08:01 +0000

There are many ways to seize opportunity, but let’s focus on 6 that are above board; no shortcuts, and underhanded tricks here! Some will say that the first 3 of these are outside of one’s control. But is that really the case?! In order to seize opportunity, we mostly need things to first align in our favour, and then we take control to make it happen.

Chance and opportunity

The word ‘chance’ has several synonyms, some more common than others. It can closely defined as ‘the possibility of something happening’. Or it can be stretched to mean, ‘a break, an opening, things coming your way’ …or in other words…an opportunity. You know, some may ask, why does it seem that one person succeeds, where others are struggling? For one to be in a position to have good fortune, chance has to come their way. Let’s go on a bit, because the next concept is closely related. The following is important, because chance can also go the wrong way. You know, as in, ‘He allowed them the chance to take advantage of him’.

Serendipity – when opportunity knocks

So, serendipity is simply when chance works out in a positive way. We all know how chance can present itself as a huge opportunity squandered! You know the striker, with a goalmouth wide open before him, and he shoots it wide left. Or the NBA player with an open slam dunk, only to ricochet it off the backboard, all the way to the opposite side of the court. When chance presents itself, serendipity is what makes the chips fall the right way. Don’t let anybody kid you, every person successful in seizing opportunity, has had serendipity on their side.

Does destiny drive opportunity?

Fate

Free will

The debate over what drives us, fate versus free will; though having a clear dividing line, is inconclusive. Not all of us believe in fate. But when I look around at many of the most fortuitous events and people in the world, I truly believe that some things were simply meant to be. The other day, I heard a highly successful person say that, a common trait amongst the most successful people on earth, is that they knew early on, exactly who they are, and what they were put on this earth to do. https://bodheeprep.com/destiny-not-hard-work-determines-success

But then at some point, free will comes into play. Your fate may be written in the sand, but at some point you are faced with choices that can absolutely change the trajectory of your life. In seizing opportunity, is where fate and free will come together. Hand in hand they help you make the right decision. If Dana White hadn’t dropped out of college he wouldn’t have founded the UFC, at a time when such a sport wasn’t even on the radar. However, without the many key choices he made, he would never have turned it into the juggernaught that it is. Would we have ever tasted the ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ KFC if Colonel Harland Sanders hadn’t been a brawler and insubordinate; serially losing jobs, having his first restaurant burn down, then inventing his secret recipe at the age of 50, and developing his nationwide franchise at the age of 65? https://community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psych-blog/chance-encounters-and-the-story-of-life/ba-p/6923. Fate is what presents the opportunity; free will is the choice we make to seize opportunity.

Doggedness to capture opportunity

And that is a great segue to doggedness. Doggedness is tenacity and perseverance; and basically just pure grit. When fate places opportunity in front of you, what you do with it is what makes all the difference. Remember when we told you to be at the table, and not on the menu?! https://bizlifesmarts.com/at%20the%20table%20for%20opportunity Well, now we are explaining it further. I hate to say it, but there are those who sit back, and go into cruise control, when opportunity lands on their lap. Just getting there is the victory for them. That is not enough. What you do when you get into the arena of opportunity, is to grab it by the neck. Think of the G.O.A.T.s in many sports. For various reasons, opportunity was elusive at first. But when it came about, their tenacity is what made them great. https://bizlifesmarts.com/mindset%20to%20win. You must keep pushing until you get over the final finish line. In the words of the late, great Jim Valvano, National Championship winning coach of North Carolina State University; ‘Don’t give up…don’t ever give up!’

Pure talent

Talent, though it helps, doesn’t guarantee you anything in life. Let me give you three lists.

List 1. Freddy Adu, Ted Kaczynski, Vincent Van Gogh, Bobby McFerrin, Macaulay Culkin.

List 2: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Sylvester Stallone, Sir Richard Branson, Kris Carr, Simon Cowell.

List 3: Albert Einstein, Steven Spielberg, J.K. Rowling, Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Colonel Harlan Sanders.

Please…take some time to try and decipher the lists, before you read on.

List 1 were hugely talented, but failed to achieve their potential, while alive. The second list really didn’t have much talent to speak of, but have achieved immensely. The stars, and the other 5 points, simply aligned for them to succeed. And the final list are those who fit the theme of this piece, in seizing opportunity. Things didn’t start out well for them, as they pursued their dreams, with the obvious talent that they knew they possessed. But once opportunity presented itself, their talent shone through.

Sticking to the plan

Sticking to the plan, is what brings together the previous 5 elements of seizing opportunity. Have you ever watched a predator in the hunt, on a wildlife show? They are faced with so many distrations, ranging from unwanted intrusions, to passing by potential prey, that may seem to be an easier catch. But the successful hunters are the ones that stick to their target.

We are continually distracted and diverted by the non-essential, over-promises, and false opportunities. In sticking to the plan, we prevent these distractions from diverting us from our course. The discipline of pursuing and lining up chance, serendipity, destiny, doggedness, and our talent; and not veering off course, nor being discouraged, it what will enable us to seize opportunity, when it comes.

For strategic advisory that will leverage uncommon sense and drive your bottom line, get in touch with us on bizlifesmarts@sageconsulting.co.ke.

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New Jobs – The Future of Work

mopondobizlifesmarts — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:59:08 +0000

The new jobs of the future will look much different to what is standard today (bright statement Einstein ). I like the way that Yahoo Finance addressed the issue of job trends going into 2025. Notwithstanding that this is just next year, and the headline is clickbait. https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/20-jobs-disappear-in-the-next-5-years-011842259.html. They didn’t just preach doom and gloom. Referencing World Economic Forum (WEF) research, they pointed out jobs and skills that will be on the rise, and in demand. So, whereas accountants and auditors, assembly line and machine workers, financial analysts, and postal service clerks will decline, big data analysts and scientists, project managers and strategic advisors, fintech engineers and logistics specialists will be on the rise.

What I like about this article, is that it is not all doom and gloom. As you read it, it gives you insight into the new skills that will be in demand. Analytical and critical thinking, creativity and initiative, leadership and social influence, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility, and several more. Therefore, if you are not already having these conversations in your company leadership meetings, you will soon find yourself in firefighting mode.

What is a job?

I believe it is instructive to begin with the definition of what a job is. Myriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “job” as ‘regular work you do to earn money’. Now, keep in mind that the origins of work date back to 1620, with its root in “piece of work” or “something to be done”. It was in 1858 that its interpretation evolved to “paid position of employment”. The root meaning of a job has always been work, but the context of that work has evolved over time. This evolution of new jobs, has always been in step with the evolution of societal needs and structures. Therefore, in this 21st century, the definition and actuality of new jobs will also evolve with our societal needs and structures.

The future of work and transforming jobs

Three forces are driving us towards the changing face of the job market. The first is the changing needs, desires, feelings and aspirations of the new generations. The other is artificial intelligence (AI). The third is evolutionary economic circumstances.

Evolving generations

Now, the young emerging generation places a greater premium on getting what they want from a job; now. As a result, trust has been broken between employers and employees, thus eroding loyalty. For them, a job isn’t a job, isn’t just a job! https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/gen-z-is-unhappier-at-work-than-any-other-generation-here-are-the-two-things-they/s4pfgth#:~:text=And%20it%20could%20explain%20why,of%20workers%2065%20and%20older. If they don’t see instant progression or monetary rewards, they will bolt. Then comes the issue of wanting the freedom to chase other pursuits. The new generation cannot simply be hemmed into a standard job box.

Emerging AI

Not surprisingly, technical innovation is driving much of the evolution of the fabric of society. As a result, what has been touted by some as the greatest existential threat to man, is on our doorstep; A.I.! In order to avoid digressing, I won’t go into the pros and cons of A.I. Only suffice it to say that A.I. is a double-edged sword. Regardless of your view of it, it has particularly forced us to adapt how we work.

Although irresponsible use of A.I., in the form of deep fakes, fraud, illegal use of data, anti-diversity and a host of other manisfestations have stoked the fears, A.I. can also improve efficiencies, and make the world of work easier. And whether we like it or not, Gen Zs are going to use A.I. to make their own lives easier; deemed shortcuts, unethical or not. As the cliché goes, the change A.I. will bring is as inevitable as the launch of the cellphone, all those years ago.

Transformed economies

You know, I’m still trying to get my mind around all the dynamics, but 2020 and the COVID pandemic was a watershed for world economies. There has been no turning back. It knocked the fluff and fat out of all the puffed up companies, showing us who was real, and who were the pretenders.

Do you remember the pre-2020 heady days, when venture capitalists and private equity were throwing money at all manner of start-ups. It was like fueling that gas guzzler. You know that it’s simply not functional, but you keep doing so out of vanity. Well, the pandemic put a stop to all that nonsense! For a couple of years our lives were restricted. But more importantly, people were forced to seek introspective, almost isolated fulfillment. Alongside that, as revenue streams slowed to a trickle, companies had to cut the fat. Things never bounced back. Those couple of years changed people’s preferences and consumption habits.

So, as companies are forced to cut down to only that which feeds the bottom line, people’s jobs are also on the line. And then on top of all that, where A.I. and machine learning are options, they are replacing people.

Cup: half full, or half empty

Better half full

Or half empty

So…is this a perfect storm?! More selective, less loyal employees; A.I. a threat to replace some jobs; and simply fewer traditional jobs, that people used to do? Well, it could be…if you aren’t the captain of your own ship. You need to take control; be you an organisation, or an employee/ skills seller. With a clear map forward, and a plan of where you are heading, the new jobs environment is manageable.

Despite all arguments to the contrary, there is definitely a difference between a cup half empty, and a cup half full. You can add a lot of flavour to a cup half full. However, a half empty cup is simply being drained, and loses flavour very quickly. Many would be wont to regard everything I’ve stated thus far to be ‘cup half empty’ talk. But let’s emphasize the very same facts from a ‘cup half full’ perspective.

Charting the waters of the new jobs perfect storm

There are ways to get through a perfect storm; but you need a plan, foresight…and a bit of luck on your side. But, first and foremost, have a plan and some foresight.

Make Gen Z and Gen Alpha your allies – help build THEIR new jobs

Now, let us not complicate this. The workplace must change to take advantage of the new ways of working, and leverage the skills of this differently, but hugely talented generation. Gen Z and Gen Alpha will be the biggest generations in history, forming not only our biggest source of skills and talent, but also our largest consumer base. https://www.investopedia.com/generation-alpha-definition-8606114#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,the%20largest%20generation%20in%20history.

Gen Z, and particularly Gen Alpha are hugely diverse; both in demographics, as well as mindset. We must tailor make the workplace to their needs, and what brings out the best in them. Also, don’t forget that as our biggest consumers and influencers, if we don’t have them as allies in the production process, they can boycott and cancel us as manufacturers, employers, and brands. Understand this demographic, at all costs. https://bizlifesmarts.com/curiousity

Befriend A.I.

This one too really is simple. We need to overcome this rampant fear we have of A.I. Yes…put the guard rails in place, so that it doesn’t have deleterious effects to (wo)man and society. But extract from it that which can benefit you. There are a broad range of features of A.I., so learn and understand those that can give you an advantage, and use them. As the saying goes, ‘adapt or die!’.

Evolving economies – (Wo)Man Up!

A changing world is inevitable. We can run away from it, or we can face up to it and learn to manage it. All the signs are there that the future economy is going to be tougher, much less forgiving, and require a nimbler approach with less deadweight. You can either run away from it, and delay the battle to another day; or you can jump on its back, and learn to control it.

Organisations need to plan and re-engineer themselves now. I know it sounds like a cliché, but now is the time to future proof your business – you have no choice. If you wait for the crisis to hit you, it will be too late. Be that organisation that the best people want to work for, and that can get the best out of all their resources; both human and otherwise. Make the new jobs, skills and talent want to come to you, and not just chase your tail!

For strategic advisory that will leverage uncommon sense and drive your bottom line, get in touch with us on bizlifesmarts@sageconsulting.co.ke.

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Best Super Bowl ads – Understanding the deeper purpose.

mopondobizlifesmarts — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:02:12 +0000

Just like Christmas, the time when the Super Bowl ads are rolled out, comes every year. We avidly watch and evaluate the “best ads” of them all. But are Super Bowl ads really the best ads? Or are they like a Paris fashion show; all the haute couture that can’t be worn by the common (wo)man?! So, let’s use the small sample of some of the best ads of 2024 Super Bowl to give a perspective on good advertising.

The background on best super bowl ads

The ads

Master Lock 1965_1974

Apple TV ad_Title 1984

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8BBGV2ypI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErwS24cBZPc

I believe that Super Bowl advertising, as we know it, began in 1984, with Apple’s ‘1984’ TV commercial. Prior to this, TV ads ran during the Super Bowl, just like any run of TV advertising. In the Master Lock ad we see an example of earlier ads. These ads focused on the product, and were not based on current issues, nor social consciousness centred. The Apple commercial, that ran to qualify for a best ads awards competition for 1983, in my view, was the advent of advertising to drive a social agenda.

It was around this time, that Super Bowl ads began to be more of a beauty pageant, than effective advertising. The rates for Super Bowl advertising spot buys then began to increase exponentially. These rates were around $37,500 per 30 second spot in the 60s. These rose to $1 million in the 90s, $4 million to $5 million in the twenty-teens, hitting $7 million in the twenty-twenties.

When you factor this in against advertising spot buys of $100,000 to $700,000, outside of the Super Bowl, it is quite an expense. But remember…this is a beauty pageant. Don’t you for a second think that everybody is going to run basic 30-second spots. There are those brands who decide that they want a mini movie production. 60-second spot buys run for $14 million; 90-second spot buys run for $20 million. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerdooley/2024/02/09/how-to-not-waste-millions-of-dollars-on-super-bowl-commercials/?sh=154d2eb452ea

So, not only are these long ads an extravagance for spot buys, but then we come to production costs. The 2024 Super Bowl ads were heavy on celebrity features, often with the characters clouding out the product. So, let’s give the decision makers the benefit of the doubt. The captains of industry of multi-billion dollar corporations can’t be doing this simply for ego. There must be a deeper rationale on investing such insane amounts in Super Bowl advertising, without a calculable ROI (Return on Investment), nor ROAS (Return on Ad Spend).

Before we address the issue of the rationale behind these Super Bowl ads, let’s go back to advertising 101.

The half-time show

College marching band_1967

1st celebrity halftime show

Music superstars_2000s

American football has since inception been associated with marching bands. Marching bands are as American as apple pie, and are still prevalent in college football. But in 1970, the National Football League (NFL) began celebrity performer half-time shows.

I won’t spend a lot of time on this, but suffice it to say, they reflect the commercialism of the whole event, and the ads created for, and run during the Super Bowl. In 2024, Usher received no payment to perform at the Super Bowl half-time show, but used it as a platform to gain exposure, and promote the new album he launched 2 days before.

The Super Bowl money game

Beyoncé, who has on previous occasions been a halftime performer, used her role in her Verizon ad to promote her new album, Rennaissance II. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilGUh4Wn1VQ

Not only that, but she got paid $30 million for the Verizon spot, as well. She has mastered this Super Bowl commercialisation game. That gives us a good segue on whether the product owners running the Super Bowl commercials have mastered this game as well.

Only the product and the customer matter – the rest is noise.

Learn from the best

The wrong way

The right way. Source: Product Marketing Alliance

Getting your product to the right consumer must always be central. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that sports and music are some of the biggest income sectors for individuals in the U.S. economy today. https://bizlifesmarts.com/sports%20and%20music%20icon%20brands

What Madonna, Michael Jordan and Jay-Z have always understood is that they control, and are masters of their product, but always listen to their customers. Madonna is still the material girl, drawing crowds at 65. Michael Jordan retired from the NBA 21 years ago, but understand that he is still a basketball icon. Jay-Z, otherwise known as Hova, should have retired, or faded away in his youth, like so many rappers. But Jay-Z controlled his brand from the outset, and has used his brand partnerships to grow, while keeping his music at the cutting edge. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/30/5-strategies-that-helped-jay-z-build-an-800-million-career.html

It’s not about expensive, glitzy production budgets

Kanye West https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BWYyRicB8w

What exactly are the “best” Super Bowl ads trying to do?

At the end of the day, running ads is a means to an end. What matters is what impact did they have off the field and off the screen? https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/a-definitive-list-of-super-bowl-58s-top-performing-ads/

Kantar’s and System 1s’ ad testing tools, checked for the effectiveness of 58 Super Bowl ads. We should note that 56% of these top ads leveraged celebrities.

Kantar criteria were impact, enjoyment and brand equity. System 1 criteria were characters, celebrities, cultural references and comedy.

The stars: Booking.com (Tina Fey & others); Reeses (no celebrity stars); Popeye’s (Ken Jeong); Doritos (Jenna Ortega & others); Squarespace (directed & featuring Martin Scorcese); Toyota Tacoma (no celebrity stars); Microsoft Copilot (no celebrity stars).

Good try, but left it on screen: Michelob Ultra (Lionel Messi, Jason Sudeikis & Dan Marino); Dunkin’ (Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lopez & Tom Brady); State Farm- “Like a Good Neighbaaa” (Arnold Schwarzenegger & Danny De Vito);

What were you thinking?!: NFL – “Born to Play” (no recognisable personalities); Uber Eats (Jennifer Aniston, David & Victoria Beckam & David Schwimmer); and Google Pixel 8 phone ad (no celebrity stars).

The end game (pardon the pun)

The winners

The herd

So, after the Super Bowl of ads really shouldn’t be a catwalk. The marketing directors of those companies and products strutting and preening need to fired – just like losing National Football League coaches.

The best ads are those that win both on the screens and off the field, in the marketplace. The basement cost of $7 million for just airing a 30″ spot, is too high a cost for vanity.

For the winners, the returns are not just in the multiples that come in incremental sales, but in the increase in brand value from the best ads, which is immeasurable. These are just a few lessons for brands dipping deep into their pockets, and planning to run ads at Super Bowl LIX.

To enhance your business’s bottom line with strategic advisory rooted in unique insights, contact us at bizlifesmarts@sageconsulting.co.ke.

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Run silent … run deep!

mopondobizlifesmarts — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 07:39:22 +0000

What does the expression ‘run silent, run deep’ really mean? Discretion? Stealth? Foresight? Silent power? Let’s get to the bottom of it, and hopefully we can understand how it relates to business strategy.

The instances of raw power that you have ever encountered in your life, probably didn’t need to loudly broadcast their power to you: the stern father entering the home; Mike Tyson before a fight; the late Queen Elizabeth entering a ballroom. Now, we can’t all be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, or the sovereign of an empire, but we can learn to tap into the power of silence.

Silence, serenity, calm, clarity.

The saying originates from how a submarine should run when in attack mode. Now, don’t confuse this with the term, ‘silent, but deadly’, which more often refers to a lethal emission of gas. Neither should you misinterpret it for the description of the personality type, which is basically an introvert. Let me get technical for a moment. Whilst the latter expression is said as a continuous sentence, the title of this piece is said with a pause between the top and the tail of the phrase; ‘run silent (pause) run deep’.

Why the need to broadcast oneself?

Have you ever noticed that the loudest person in the room is rarely the person you’d most admire or respect? The same is true for self-promoters, chest-thumpers, braggarts, bullies and all manner of people who tend to loudly project their perceived sense of self, or power.

You have to ask, ‘what is the value in having to proclaim yourself, your strengths or your virtues?’. Shouldn’t those great attributes, if they exist, be self evident, and need no proclamation…or accolades be given to you by other parties? So, it goes to the heart of the question, of the purpose that is served by such thunder and fury. I think we all know the answer. As the saying goes, ‘Confidence is silent, insecurities are loud’.

The power of silence

What is it about silence that gives us such power? Meditation and mindfulness practice have it that, this is the route to getting in touch with your higher spirituality.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is usually defined as awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings, by maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, in manner that not only cares for ourselves, but cares for those around us. It can help us to avoid destructive habits and responses, through this awareness of how our thoughts and emotions, affect our environment and those around us. When you run silent, you are better able to be in touch with this practice of mindfulness.

Closing outside distraction; being unfazed

Outside influences are what often jar us, and set us off course. Athletes often talk about their greatest performances coming when they are in “the zone”. This is a place where outside influences, noise and distraction, have no ability to set them off their path and their goals.

Channeling your energy

Running silent helps you to channel your energy to the places where it is needed most, and not expend useless energy.

The Michael Jordan versus Lebron James G.O.A.T. debate

https://en.as.com/nba/the-huge-difference-that-puts-michael-jordan-over-lebron-james-as-the-goat-of-the-nba-n/

This debate on whether Michael Jordan or Lebron James is the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) has been raging for quite some time. You can see the objective accolades awarded to them by the National Basketball Association in the image above. It is without doubt, that Lebron would need another hall of fame career (akin to Kevin Durant’s outstanding career) in his remaining years, to even approach Michael Jordan’s achievements. But then, it is instructive to also look at their mindsets and respective characters. Let’s see if you can differentiate which words come out of the mouths of each of them.

‘I am the King!’ ‘I am the chosen one!’

‘A greater player than me will come down the line, and surpass my achievements.’ ‘I didn’t win without my teammate (sic), and that’s why I consider him the best teammate of all time’.

The former is from the one of the two of them, who chooses to broadcast himself, loudly and boastfully. The latter is the one who runs silent… runs deep, and is the G.O.A.T. in every imaginable way. https://bizlifesmarts.com/completely_present_mj23

This is the essence of personal power. Just as Michael Jordan exhibits it, we see it in others. Be they supreme athletes, or great listeners, or genius thinkers, or those who lead by example and not by just words. They are all inspirational leaders, who leave us in awe of their greatness, once we delve beneath the surface.

So…what has the shark attack got to do with all this warm and fuzzy stuff?

It is about personal power. Running silent places you in control of your own environment. And not only does it do that, but it gives you the power to do great things.

Ergo, the connection to sharks. Experts consider sharks to be one of the most evolved species, having been around for about 400 million years. You can say that they’ve learned the tricks of the trade. How to not just survive, but thrive. That saying, ‘run silent…run deep’, originated in the context of submarine stealth attacks. I am one who believes that the invention of submarines was inspired by sharks.

By us using this analogy of a 400 million year knowledge journey, we can learn a thing or two. Use silence to your advantage, to master yourself…and your environment.

For strategic advisory that will leverage uncommon sense and drive your bottom line, get in touch with us on bizlifesmarts@sageconsulting.co.ke

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