E. 280: The Trends Impacting Our Businesses in 2026
Welcome to 2026!
If you’ve felt like things are all over the place lately — especially if you run a service business online — you are not alone. The pace of change right now is enough to make anyone feel fried.
So to ring in 2026, I’m spending January sharing some observations about larger trends in the business world, and how those are likely to impact small business owners this year, especially those selling their services and expertise.
First up, let's talk about one of the biggest and most distracting trends for business owners right now: AI.
I’m not saying AI is a trend that’s going to die anytime soon, or ever. But I see too many business owners distracted with AI, trying to make it work and failing to actually grow their business.
So let’s dig into what AI is actually going to be useful for, and where it can just be another shiny object that doesn’t move the needle for your business.
Find this episode for free on your favorite podcast player.
Tune into this episode to hear:
Why AI is making a lot of businesses busier, but not more profitable
The difference between efficiency and effectiveness (and why it matters)
Where AI is genuinely helpful and where it robs you of your authority
A behind-the-scenes story of how I tried to use AI to write my next book… and why I ultimately had to stop
What the real differentiators are right now
