On a weekly basis, individuals and investors from around the world contact me and ask this question: Have you considered launching your own podcast? My reply is always the same – I have zero interest in launching a podcast because I believe the majority of podcasts are a complete waste of time to listen to. In addition, I abhor the format of podcasts whereby hosts have convinced themselves they’re funny, they’re entertaining, and the content they’re producing is valuable. Most of the hosts are wrong on all counts.
When I began writing articles for Forbes, writing my own articles and newsletter at https://brittainladd.com/, and writing posts on LinkedIn, I did so with one rule in mind – I had to be authentic, truthful, and not play favorites.
I had no plans of writing posts on LinkedIn. However, after several months on the platform, I realized that the majority of individuals producing and posting content did so to be liked and recognized. This greatly limited what they were willing to write. Few were willing to criticize. None were willing to share their own point of view. The goal was always this – write something that the majority of LinkedIn members will like and in turn, they will like me. If the goal is to be liked, there is no authenticity.
My first LinkedIn post had this headline, ‘Amazon Should Acquire Whole Foods. Here’s Why.’ I posted a link to a 2013 research report that I’d written where I came to the conclusion that Amazon would never be a major player in groceries without physical stores. LinkedIn members criticized me unmercifully; they had every right to do so. Less than two years later, Amazon acquired Whole Foods.
During COVID when Peloton was valued at over $50B, I wrote a post titled, ‘Peloton Needs a New CEO.’ I outlined how CEO John Foley’s strategy was going to destroy Peloton. Everything I wrote in the post proved to be correct.
In 2019, I wrote a post stating that Walmart and Microsoft should partner to acquire TikTok. LinkedIn members howled with laughter. One year later, Walmart and Microsoft partnered and attempted to acquire TikTok.
A theme of my most of my posts is that I call out CEOs and other executives, and I criticize their decision-making or I point out things they should or shouldn’t do. I criticize companies. However, my rule is this: If I criticize I must also make recommendations. I must share my point of view. I must be fair.
I’m now receiving credit for starting a new category within the creator economy and business – Business Influencer. I achieved this based on the number of executives at Fortune 500 companies and startups whose executives read everything I write, follow my advice, or who are influenced by me in other ways.
Call me whatever you want. I will always be authentic and offer my best advice. Stay tuned, more to come.
