December 11, 2025 In a season of giving, smart leaders are giving forward span>span]:whitespace-nowrap”> Year-end giving can be a moment of reflection, but for businesses and philanthropy alike, it should also include looking forward and asking the question, what’s next? One throughline from this past year is uncertainty. Uncertainty has rewritten how we work, live, … Continue reading In a season of giving, smart leaders are giving forward
Marketers are learning that without strategy, generative AI can make them less creative — not more productive. Kath Pay on October 8, 2025 Generative AI is having a moment, but it’s not one its most enthusiastic promoters want to talk about. AI platforms have entered the “Trough of Disillusion,” Gartner’s term for the inevitable … Continue reading AI can scale your brilliance — or your mediocrity. Here’s how to stay smart.
September 13, 2025 This smart streaming clock is the perfect Netflix companion BY Jared Newman A lot of the Cool Tools we feature here are about maximizing productivity, but this week, let’s focus instead on a way to budget your precious downtime. As someone who ?watches the streaming TV space closely?, I’m well aware of how … Continue reading This smart streaming clock is the perfect Netflix companion
August 25, 2025 Working for yourself is not a risky bet—it’s a smart one BY Tomer London Over the last decade, the workplace has been defined by big headlines: mass layoffs, the rise of remote work, and the promise (or threat) of AI. But beneath the noise, a quieter revolution has been underway. Millions of people … Continue reading Working for yourself is not a risky bet—it’s a smart one
Stop apologizing for your “outdated” stack. While competitors chase shiny new tools, you can build something lean, effective and profitable. Gene De Libero on July 8, 2025 The pressure to modernize your marketing technology stack is real. Your competitors seem to be running circles around you with sophisticated automation, your CEO keeps asking why … Continue reading An honest guide to smart martech modernization (DD)
June 14, 2025 How smart leaders balance urgency with curiosity BY Natalie Nixon and Jeff Wetzler Modern business operates under a dangerous paradox. The same forces that make curiosity essential—rapid change, complexity, and uncertainty—are the ones that systematically suppress it. While organizations desperately need the innovation and adaptability that come from asking better questions, the relentless pressure … Continue reading How smart leaders balance urgency with curiosity
Feature bundling and stakeholder preferences contribute to martech overlap. Here’s how to analyze and manage it strategically. Steve Petersen on March 7, 2025 It is not uncommon for martech stacks to have components with overlapping functionality. While some overlap is intentional, too much can lead to wasted budget, unnecessary complexity and inefficiencies. Knowing when … Continue reading The smart way to handle overlaps in your martech stack
From political shifts to market instability, here’s why marketers should accelerate budgets and prepare for change this year. Ryan Phelan on January 24, 2025 I’ve seen many predictions about what marketers should expect, anticipate or work for in 2025. The continued rise of AI, other technologies that might come to fruition, how to use … Continue reading Why smart marketers should front-load spending in 2025
January 09, 2025 Dell’s new PC names are boring—and a smart move The computer giant is ditching decades-old sub-brands in favor of ones nearly identical to Apple’s. They’re derivative, but effective. BY Katy Steinmetz There are surely many reasons that the parents of tech icon Michael Dell did not name him Inspiron or XPS. For one, … Continue reading Dell’s new PC names are boring—and a smart move
Understanding user conferences’ true costs and revenue potential is the key to building a business case for events as a cornerstone of content strategy. Lisa Shaw on January 3, 2025 Understanding the real costs of events — and how to manage them effectively — is the difference between a successful conference and a budget … Continue reading How to maximize event ROI using smart budgeting
