Staying Relevant

In An Evolving, Tech-Driven World “Stay curious. What worked five years ago may no longer work today—keep refreshing your skills.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive. We are in a world where things keep shifting—fast. Every day, something changes. A new technology. A new app. A new tool. AI technologies are everywhere. Businesses that existed five years ago have either changed completely or disappeared. New industries are emerging by the minute. So, the question is: how do you stay relevant? How do you keep your brand, your product, and your service from becoming obsolete? Let’s talk about some key things I believe will help anyone—business owners, solopreneurs, brands—stay relevant in this fast-evolving world. 1. Build on Timeless Principles—Not Just Tools First and most fundamental: You must be grounded in principles, not products. Too many people build their brand on tools. On platforms. On trends. But tools come and go. What is hot today will be forgotten tomorrow. If your brand is built only on tools, when the next shiny thing comes along, you’ll be lost. Build your brand on timeless principles. On values that do not change. What do I mean? Principles like empathy. You’re not just selling products—you’re connecting with people. Your business is not just about exchanging goods for money. It’s about caring. Principles like trust—don’t just polish things to look beautiful on the outside, but deliver real quality. Don’t just sell something that looks good but lacks substance. Principles like kindness, love, empathy, integrity. When you weave these values into your product or service, people will connect with your brand. They will trust you. They will love doing business with you. Because here’s the truth: AI will change. Tools will change. Platforms will change. However, people will always crave genuine human connection. Think of it this way: As an author, people don’t just want to read your book. They want to know the person behind the words. As a public speaker, it’s not just your message—it’s your tone, your energy, your voice that connects. Even in a virtual space—podcasts, videos, online communities—people still want to feel that human presence. A good friend of mine still sends handwritten notes to his clients. In a world of automated emails and AI bots, that little handwritten note stands out. It makes people feel seen, and valued. Another Real Estate business owner I know, always adds a personal handwoven bracelet as a ‘Thank You’ gift —just to maintain that human touch. These are small things, but they matter. Robots can’t replace empathy. They can’t replace trust. They can’t replace human connection. So, whatever you do—whether you’re selling products or services—bring in your human side. Build your business on principles, not tools. That will keep you relevant through every wave of technology. 2. Keep Learning, Keep Evolving There’s a saying I love: “If you’re green, you grow. If you’re ripe, you rot.” You must always keep learning. Always keep evolving. Stay humble. Recently I read an article about Microsoft replacing some of their top coders with AI tools. These were people who had worked with the company for years, but suddenly a tool came along that could do the job faster, and cheaper. Now, I’m not saying this to scare anyone. I’m saying it to make this point: If you stop learning, you risk becoming irrelevant. What worked five years ago may no longer work today. The way you marketed your brand five years ago may not reach today’s audience. The tools you used three years ago may now be outdated. You have to stay fresh. Stay updated. Ask yourself: Enroll in new courses. Attend webinars, conferences, seminars. Read books. Talk to people in your industry. If you’re in education—what are the new learning tools available today? If you’re in music—what are the new styles, trends, and technologies? Stay curious. Stay green. Keep growing. Because when you keep learning, you stay ahead of the curve.