Collective[i]

It’s not about knowing everyone. It’s about building meaningful relationships—and making each connection matter. Esther Dyson reminds us what it truly means to be a Connector™ in our modern world. Connectors don’t just grow their network—they nurture it. With intention. With authenticity. With heart. They see potential where others might not. They spark collaboration, foster community, and believe in lifting others as they rise. In a world that chases scale, we choose depth and purpose. Curious? Inspired? You belong here. Become a Connector at intelligence.com. #Connectors #Intelligence #Directory #Connections #BusinessCommunity #Collaboration #EstherDyson

🚨 Economic volatility is in the news. 🚨 With everything happening in the global economy right now, understanding how external factors impact your business has never been more important. At Collective[i], we’ve spent the last decade building a model that helps companies make sense of Macro & Micro Economic trends—and use that insight to help your business plan ahead with more confidence. This isn’t about chasing the latest headline. It’s about using real data to understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how to respond strategically. If you’re thinking about how to better prepare for what’s next, now’s a good time to take a closer look at the data.

Auto and tech stocks tumbled this week. Global markets slipped. Forecasts are being rewritten. If your business is still using static revenue models and spreadsheets to plan for what’s next, this is your reminder: the old way can’t keep up. The companies that win now? They see risk coming. They adapt faster. They plan proactively. Collective[i] was built for change. Our real-time forecasting and dynamic market signals aren’t luxuries—they’re requirements for competing in a world that doesn’t sit still. Static planning won’t save you from dynamic disruption. We can help. #FutureOfWork #AIInBusiness #SmartForecasting

AI will increase efficiency and profits, but it will also reshape labor markets. If automation replaces most work, who benefits? Economic growth may accelerate, but businesses will need a new approach to talent, productivity, and value creation. Leaders need to prepare for a future where AI expands economic output while reducing the demand for human labor. The challenge isn’t just managing job displacement—it’s redesigning work itself. What business leaders should consider: Which roles will AI replace, and which will become more valuable? How should my business invest in reskilling to stay competitive? How will AI force my company to rethink hiring models and wage structures? The shift is happening now. Join Collective[i] Forecast to hear how leaders are preparing for AI-driven workforce changes. Engage in live discussions, ask questions, and shape the conversation on the future of work. Sign up at ciforecast.com. #AI #GlobalStability #BusinessStrategy #ciForecast #LaborMarket #Automation #GDP #USLaborMarket #AIRevolution #AITransformation

Do deal stages still make sense in the AI era? For decades, deal stages have been a staple of sales processes, designed to bring structure and predictability. But the reality? Deals rarely follow a clean, linear progression. They jump ahead, stall, loop back, and take unexpected turns—because buyers don’t follow a predefined script. Yet, sales teams often spend more time debating which stage a deal belongs in rather than focusing on what actually moves it forward. Is an opportunity in "Proposal Sent" or "Negotiation"? Does it really matter? Instead of rigid stages, the right AI can enable a more dynamic approach—tracking key milestones that signal real progress based on the buyer’s journey. Executive alignment, security approval, budget commitment—these are the moments that truly determine whether a deal is advancing. So, what's the challenge with predefined stages? 1 - They force sellers into artificial progressions that may not reflect reality. 2 - They create friction between sales and RevOps over definitions instead of strategy. 3 - They fail to account for the unpredictability of modern buying cycles. If deal stages aren’t telling the full story, what should replace them? What happens when a buyer skips steps in your sales process—does your system adjust, or does it create confusion? What’s the cost of getting deal stages “wrong”? Does it actually impact revenue? If deal stages didn’t exist, how would you measure progress? Would love to hear your perspective. Drop your thoughts below. ⬇️

Are deal stages helping or just creating a debate over semantics? Sales stages were meant to bring clarity and structure to pipeline management and the forecasting process.  But too often, they feel like an internal language that sellers have to navigate rather than a tool that helps them close deals. How many times have you seen reps and managers debating whether a deal belongs in ‘Commit’ or ‘Best Case’ instead of actually working the deal?  Or a seller moving a deal to ‘Demo Completed’—even when the buyer isn’t ready—just to check a box? At some point, sales stages became more about categorization than guiding deals forward. What if we approached it differently?  What if deal stages reflected where the buyer is in their journey—not just where a seller thinks they “should” be? → Instead of focusing on exit criteria, sellers would prioritize what the buyer needs at that moment. → Coaching would shift from managing internal milestones to understanding buyer intent and timing. → Forecasting would rely on real signals, not arbitrary CRM checkboxes. Would this create better alignment? Or would we lose something valuable in the process? There’s a fine line between process and bureaucracy. Curious to hear from other revenue leaders: How do your deal stages impact sales strategy and coaching? Are they working as intended, or is it time to rethink them? Let’s discuss. #CRM #Stages #Sales #FutureOfSales #TraditionalSales #RevOps #OverheardRevOps

A little automation here, a small efficiency gain there. Most leaders take an incremental approach to AI. But real impact?  It comes from structured, goal-driven implementation—unlocking double- and triple-digit returns. Erik Brynjolfsson shared important considerations for AI adoption in response to Jeff Hines’ question at #ciForecast last week: Start with clear KPIs. What matters most? How will you measure success? Focus on tasks. AI should solve specific problems, not just be a sandbox for experimentation. Build credibility. Small, measurable wins create trust and accelerate adoption. Think long-term. AI should align with strategic goals, not just short-term efficiency. Instead of asking, “How can we use AI?” ask, “Does this move us toward our biggest goals?” The leaders who get this right won’t just improve efficiency—they’ll drive real transformation and outsized returns. #ArtificialIntelligence #RevenueGrowth #AIAdoption #AIforBusiness #B2BGrowth

Nouriel Roubini is blunt: The U.S. needs at least 1 million net migrants per year to sustain growth. In the last four years, 10 million migrants—documented and undocumented—entered the workforce, boosting productivity, increasing production, and keeping inflation in check. Shutting the door on immigration or mass deportations? That’s a "talent and labor crisis waiting to happen", according to Roubini. A shrinking workforce might mean slower growth, rising costs, and a potential innovation drain—especially in AI and tech. If policies choke the talent pipeline, businesses will need to adapt—or risk falling behind. At Collective[i], we're helping companies stay ahead. #MassDeportations #USEconomy #USDeportations #USImmigration #USMigrants #Business #LaborCrisis #TalentCrisis

In a world built for scale, what happens when we embrace limits instead? Collective[i] advisor and frequent Forecast speaker, Esther Dyson, is tackling this head-on next week. Drawing from her latest book, "Term Limits: A Design for Living in the Age of AI," she’ll show how the right constraints can cut through the noise, help leaders make smarter choices, and turn limitations into a catalyst for real, lasting innovation. In a world shaped by AI and constant change, knowing when to pause, reset, and rethink could be the most valuable skill of all. 📅 Wednesday, March 26 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm ET | Zoom Join us as we rethink the role of limits in business: https://lnkd.in/etFKSUyq #Leadership #AI #CollectiveiForecast

Cutting red tape sounds great—until it isn’t. We spoke with Nouriel Roubini, world renowned economist and Collective[i] advisor, about the Trump economy, and he broke down six upsides and six risks businesses need to watch. After the global financial crisis, regulation may have gone too far, especially in finance, environmental policy, and bureaucracy. Roubini sees a third upside: scaling regulation back could boost innovation, job creation, and even ease inflation. But the risk is overcorrecting—just like before 2008, when deregulation fueled excessive risk-taking in housing and banking. The result? A crash that nearly took down the global economy. Too little regulation invites chaos—and as we saw with the collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic, history has a way of repeating itself. #Deregulation #TrumpEconomy #USEconomy #Business #FinancialCrisis