Working on go-to-market, outreach, and growth
[News headlines about tech layoffs, focusing on Intel's recent announcement]
In August 2024, tech giant Intel announced a 15% workforce reduction, joining a wave of layoffs sweeping the tech industry.
Intel is just the latest to join this concerning trend. Since COVID, the idea of job security in tech is something of the past. Something has fundamentally changed.
[Show reduction in headcount animation, other logos of big Tech with layoffs]
Microsoft, Dell, Tesla, Twitter (now X) are among others that saw major cuts.
Companies site economic pressures and AI advancements as the reasons for these layoff. It's like we're watching the job market reshape before our eyes.
[Show trend of layoffs animation]
Since 2022, we've seen a significant surge in tech layoffs worldwide. Recent data reported over 230,000 tech employees losing their jobs in 2023, with all data suggesting this trend has continued in 2024.
This puts many people's livelihoods at risk. But we're not powerless in face of this.
The same forces driving layoffs are also enabling everyone to become an entrepreneur.
What if these challenges are actually opportunities in disguise? What if there was a way to take control of your future, regardless of industry trends?
Let me propose an idea: entrepreneurship is for everyone.
It's a path that's not just for Silicon Valley visionaries, but for everyone. Let's explore what entrepreneurship really means, why it's more important now than ever, and how you can harness its power to thrive in an ever-changing world.
AI is continuing to get more powerful. While we're still early, those that have adopted it are becoming more effective.
Cursor and Copilot are now essential companions to every software developer. Lawyers are using AI to work through documents in a fraction of the time.
You’re the captain of a ship, directing your sailors. You're the conductor of your own orchestra.
[Sama clip]
Case studies and examples.
Have you seen this meme?
[Introvert with AI meme]
[Sine wave animation showing the cycles of work organization]
Entrepreneurship isn't a new concept - it's actually the original form of work.
Way back, everyone was an entrepreneur. The idea of a company you could go work for didn’t exist. Each city had needs, and if you could fulfill those needs, you could earn money.
Over time, we saw a shift towards centralized work. The industrial revolution brought us factories, and later, we saw the rise of corporations employing thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people. We’ve reached that peak and are starting to move back in the decentralized direction again.
But now, something fascinating is happening. We're starting to swing back towards decentralization. The gig economy, remote work, and digital platforms are enabling individuals to offer their skills and products directly to a global market. It's like we're returning to that town square, but now it's digital and worldwide.
It's sovereignty. We're coming back into the power of deciding how we spend our time. Is it an hour in traffic, or is it sharing a meal with your family?
The same shift is happening in finance with bitcoin and DeFi.
You used to be able to go to the town square and setup a stall and sell whatever good you had to offer. That’s the case again with Ouro but for digital products. We’re the town square of digital commerce. Data, APIs, and ideas can be shared and spread. Value can be captured where it’s deemed appropriate to capture.
As we move towards a more decentralized work landscape, several platforms are leading the charge, empowering individuals to become entrepreneurs in what we call the 'creator economy'.
1000 true fans: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/
To be a successful creator you don’t need millions. You don’t need millions of dollars or millions of customers, millions of clients or millions of fans. To make a living as a craftsperson, photographer, musician, designer, author, animator, app maker, entrepreneur, or inventor you need only thousands of true fans.
From educational content to entertainment, product reviews to lifestyle vlogs, YouTube offers a space for almost any type of content creator. The key here is the direct connection between creator and audience. Successful YouTubers can earn through ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales, all while building a personal brand.
Imagine being able to reach thousands of readers directly, without needing to work for a traditional publishing house. That's the power Substack provides. Writers on the platform are earning anywhere from a few hundred to over a million dollars a year, all from sharing their insights with their audience.
This platform has taken the concept of patronage and modernized it for the digital age. Patreon allows creators of all types - artists, musicians, podcasters, writers - to receive direct financial support from their fans.
Fans pledge a monthly amount to support their favorite creators. In return, they often get exclusive content or perks. This model provides creators with a predictable income stream, allowing them to focus on their craft without worrying about the next paycheck.
For podcasters, Spotify offers a platform to distribute their content to millions of listeners worldwide. With features like Spotify for Podcasters, creators can track their audience growth, understand listener behavior, and even monetize through ads.
Musicians, from indie artists to global superstars, use Spotify to share their music with the world. While there's been debate about streaming royalties, Spotify has opened up new possibilities for artists to be discovered and build a fanbase.
We take a lot of these possibilities for granted now, but I don't think people fully appreciate the power of platforms like these. Anyone can build a business with just a skill. You don't need to MBA, a team of investors, or a exploitative contract to be able to share and earn from your work.
Discover assets like this one.