Weekend Briefing No. 532
Gen Z Broke the Marketing Funnel -- Less Babies -- 5-Hour Rule
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
14 — Serena Williams has invested in 14 companies that have gone on to reach unicorn status — valuation of $1 billion or more.
20 — The number of homicides in major American cities is falling at its quickest pace in decades following huge jumps during the pandemic. Murders declined by nearly 20% in 204 cities during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
114,700,000 — Despite only having one hit single, no band quite like the Dead have managed to cultivate and please their most hardcore fans. In 2023, the Dead & Company tour made $114.7 million, which is more than the most recent BTS tour made ($113.6 million).
Gen Z Broke the Marketing Funnel
Over the last few decades, marketers have focused their marketing efforts around the consumer funnel. The potential customer moves through the funnel in the following stages: awareness, interest, desire, action. The funnel was built for the old world, and Gen Z doesn’t live there anymore. Instead, they live in an infinite loop of inspiration, exploration, community and loyalty. Of course, the main driver is that Gen Z is spending a ton of time on YouTube and TikTok, and that’s influenced how they make purchasing decisions. As a result, retailers are behaving more like media companies. Surprisingly, despite their reputation as digital natives, Gen Z shoppers still value in-person experiences. Seventy-four percent of Gen Zs think in real life (IRL) experiences are more important than digital ones (compared to 66% of millennials). Though they conduct in-depth research online, 73% of Gen Zs prefer making a purchase in a store while shopping. This article is chocked full of insights and is essential reading for anybody running a consumer-facing brand. Vogue (17 minutes)
Less Babies
The US birthrate is crashing. While 7.3 million migrants have crossed the border, they’re unlikely to move the needle. It turns out that young people aren’t having sex, and people aged 25-54 are not getting married. The Gen Z kids are 22.8% LGBTQ+ and 15% identify as bisexual. Lastly, we are not alone. Europe is also experiencing record-low fertility, with Greece serving as the proverbial poster child for the European birth dearth. Is this bad? If so, how do we reverse this trend? Wit & Wisdom (11 minutes)
Your Unused Competitive Advantage
Today, a great strategy is no longer a lasting competitive edge. It's unlocking the full potential of your people. While strategic planning is crucial, true innovation and growth stem from the talents, creativity and passion of your team members. At the core of any thriving organization are individuals whose skills and aspirations align with company goals. When you empower your people to experiment, learn and grow, you foster an environment of engagement and fulfillment. This unlocks higher performance, breakthrough ideas and a workforce united in bringing your vision to life. The strategies you devise as a leader within your organization are important, but it's your people who will ultimately determine your success. Embrace their potential as individuals and as a team, and you'll gain an unbeatable competitive advantage. Unlock what your people are truly capable of, and you’ll exceed any forecast you could develop at the top, by yourself. Talentism (Sponsored)
5-Hour Rule
The "5-hour rule" is a game-changing concept that has been embraced by some of the world's most successful people, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk. It's simple: Dedicate one hour each day, five days a week, to intentional learning, reflection and deep thinking. By carving out this sacred time for personal growth, you'll sharpen your mind, expand your skills and cultivate the discipline needed to achieve greatness. But here's the best part: Learning doesn't have to mean burying your nose in a book. Dive into engaging podcasts, immerse yourself in thought-provoking articles, or even experiment with new ideas and projects. The key is to approach each learning opportunity with curiosity and an open mind. And when you inevitably face setbacks? Embrace them as valuable lessons, reflect on what you can do differently and use those insights to propel yourself forward. Big Think (6 minutes)
AI in the Real World
How are people actually using generative artificial intelligence (AI)? There are many use cases for generative AI, spanning a vast number of areas of domestic and work life. Looking through thousands of comments on sites such as Reddit and Quora, the author’s team found that the use of this technology is as wide-ranging as the problems we encounter in our lives. The 100 categories they identified can be divided into six top-level themes, which give an immediate sense of what generative AI is being used for: Technical Assistance & Troubleshooting (23%), Content Creation & Editing (22%), Personal & Professional Support (17%), Learning & Education (15%), Creativity & Recreation (13%), Research, Analysis & Decision Making (10%). Harvard Business Review (10 minutes)
E-Bikes in Colorado
As of April 1, Colorado residents can receive a $450 discount on e-bikes at participating bike shops, courtesy of the state. E-bikes provide numerous societal benefits and are gaining popularity, with strong sales in 2023. Two- and three-wheeled vehicles, including e-bikes, account for the majority of global emissions reductions from all electric vehicles as of 2023, making them a powerful solution to climate change and related problems. E-bikes have several advantages over electric cars, such as requiring less lithium, creating less particulate matter, posing less danger on city streets, and being cheaper and quicker to manufacture and distribute to a wide range of consumers, especially with the help of subsidies. Fast Company (7 minutes)
Papyrus 2
Ryan Gosling crushed Saturday Night Live last week. Every performance was on point from the monologue to Beavis and Butthead. The whole show is worth watching. But I was giddy when I saw that they made a sequel to my favorite SNL digital Short, Papyrus. In Papyrus, Ryan Gosling plays a man haunted by the widespread use of the Papyrus font, particularly in the movie Avatar. He becomes increasingly distressed and obsessed over the font's prevalence, leading to a breaking point. Last week, they made a sequel and it’s hilarious. I’ve watched it multiple times. If you haven't seen the first one, watch that first and then the sequel. Thank me later. Saturday Night Live (7 minutes)
Should We Work Together?
Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.
Founder Fridays
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Weekend Wisdom
I had no ambition to be a writer because the books I read were too good, my standards were too high. -Haruki Murakami