Think Between the Lines

As we close out one year and look toward the next, here are the effluences and shifts that defined 2025—and the ones that will matter even more in 2026. These come from working with clients, evolving AI trends, and emerging pressures on SMBs, especially in retail, CPG supplier/brand, and the creative industries. 1. From AI Tools to Agentic Co-Workers 2025 Over:  Playing with ChatGPT on the side.  2026 Just Beginning:  AI agents  customers will use AI agents to shop, and you w

Willy Loman was the central character in Death of a Salesman , Arthur Miller’s epic play depicting a bewildered man who lost his place in a world that changed faster than he did. Today, the same is happening across the entire sales process, driven by market need, consumer behavior, and AI. Brands want direct relationships with the consumer, retailers need supplier partnerships—not sales tactics—and Agentic AI is changing the way work gets done for all of us. This isn’t a simp

Here’s the deal: AI is here to stay. So, what are you waiting for? Why don’t you have a plan for your company? Are you still on the fence? Are you approaching AI with trepidation, suspicion, fear, or naïveté? Because if you are, you are at risk of getting smoked by someone who is using AI to work better, smarter, faster. While you continue to work hard the way you always have, your competitor may be learning how to operate a leaner, more profitable business by changing the wa

Imagine this. You wake up on launch day for your new product without a worry in the world. One click—just one—and your brand's latest campaign goes live across the country. Your post hits Facebook and Instagram. It's your brand voice, your message, your content. But within minutes, that same post—with local details and custom calls to action—also appears on the feeds of your twenty best retail partners. Same campaign. Same story. Now 20X the reach! Automatically.  You've just

According to the most recent 2025 surveys from Salesforce, Thryv, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, SMBs are using AI to save time, grow...

Why SMBs Must Make It Personal to Survive When it comes to competing with big-box chains, online marketplaces such as Amazon and Temu,...

Due to technology, in-store product 'teaching” has declined as consumers now do their homework before they walk in. What changed (fast): ...

61% of shoppers say they’d rather buy from local independents. That’s the good news! People don’t just want products, they want...

As a manufacturer building a brand, your playbook likely emphasizes distribution: getting your products on as many shelves as possible,...

I see the future of locally-owned retail as a recent Renaissance of consumerism. Sparked by the post-COVID desire to slow down, there is...

Through the lens of one industry — art and craft materials — Think Between the Lines has been focused on two themes: Rethinking the...

As a manufacturer building a brand, your playbook likely emphasizes distribution: getting your products on as many shelves as possible,...

Executive Summary  This essay challenges the prevailing wisdom that AI transformation must be driven from the  C-suite. We will utilize...

Of all the small to medium-sized businesses in the US, approximately three million are retailers, and about 600,000 are manufacturers...

Retail is no longer about adding more SKUs—it's about emotions. We don't just shop to buy—experience matters. Education, entertainment,...

Steven Robinson The pace of change is unrelenting and completely overwhelming. Especially everything AI. It's everywhere and can do...

By Steve Robinson, AI Assisted Summary of Section Post interview of Lutra AI co-founder and CEO Jiquan Ngiam You may have heard people...

NAMTA Creativation 2025 I just returned from the NAMTA show and conference, and wow—what a ride. It's been six years since I last...

By Steve Robinson – Creativity Consulting We're in the golden age of generative AI — but with great power comes great responsibility. One...

12 Smart Strategies for Small Business Success (and How AI Can Help) Does running your business sometimes feel like navigating a winding...

Why AI is the Perfect Fit for Small Businesses When you hear "AI," do you picture cutting-edge robots or complex algorithms? If so,...

The New Consumer Mindset: Why Retailers Must Shift from Transactions to Connections A recent MarTech article by Kim Davis, analyzing...

Quick-Start Guide to AI: 5 Essential Tools for Immediate Impact As a business advisor working with small and medium-sized businesses, I...

Building Your AI Future on Solid Ground You've been considering AI for a while but finally decided that your business needs it. Where do...