Thought Readership (Taking Sides)
Most financial thought leadership fails because it lacks relevance. Decision-makers need insights that sharpen decisions, not generic commentary. The key is cognitive empathy—understanding how they think and act. Writing for a single, high-stakes decision-maker ensures sharper, more impactful thought leadership.
Hope in the Face of Chaos
In times of chaos and uncertainty, thought leadership serves as a strategy of hope—giving voice to innovation and progress. It helps innovators articulate and champion change, fusing optimism with tangible impact. By rejecting complacency and crafting a disciplined belief in “better,” thought leadership shapes the future rather than surrendering to despair.
Extending the Horizon
Thought leadership in institutional finance isn’t just about delivering insights—it’s about reshaping how decision-makers interpret and apply them. By aligning new ideas with existing frameworks and guiding a fusion of perspectives, firms can influence industry thinking and drive meaningful change.
Conversation Conservation: Thought Leadership and Sustainable Marketing
Sustainable thought leadership requires a shift from extractive marketing tactics to stewardship of audience attention. By valuing depth over volume, cultivating trust over time, and respecting complexity, firms can build lasting credibility in institutional finance. Thought leadership isn’t just a campaign—it’s the long-term practice of fostering meaningful conversations that shape industry thinking and decision-making.
Blue Ocean Thought Leadership
Most thought leadership drowns in overcrowded, generic discussions, failing to differentiate in a sea of sameness. A blue ocean strategy shifts focus to untapped topics, unique insights, and a multi-channel approach that creates lasting engagement. By leading with originality and depth, firms can cut through the noise, shape industry transformation, and establish a true leadership position in institutional finance.
Paying Down the Decency Deficit
Institutional finance marketing must move beyond short-term tactics and transactional engagement to act as a steward of knowledge and trust. Thought leadership should elevate expertise, provide clarity, and enable sound decision-making rather than manipulate for conversions. By prioritizing substance over superficiality, firms can not only strengthen their competitive position but also help restore a culture of integrity in financial decision-making.
Contentism or Heroism
Contentism—formulaic, engagement-driven content—erodes credibility and stifles innovation, especially in institutional finance. Thought leadership should challenge industry assumptions, elevate expert voices, and break free from predictable narratives. The firms that reject conformity in favor of depth, originality, and strategic influence will be the ones that truly lead and differentiate in the market.
Tailoring Thought Leadership to Institutional Finance
Effective thought leadership in institutional finance requires more than generic insights—it demands strategic, research-backed content that addresses decision-makers’ core concerns, from integration to compliance. Success hinges on targeted distribution, personalized outreach, and leveraging platforms where executives engage. By shaping strategic thinking and providing actionable insights, thought leaders can position themselves as indispensable partners in a highly competitive market.
Involution vs Evolution
The content-industrial complex traps thought leadership in cycles of diminishing returns, where hyper-specialization and formulaic tactics stifle innovation. True thought leadership breaks free by embracing bold ideas, challenging conventions, and fostering meaningful conversations. In institutional finance and fintech, resisting this involution not only differentiates firms but also drives innovation, economic growth, and long-term success.
The Point of a Network: How to Help LA
As Southern California faces devastating fires, my annual theme of stewardship feels more relevant than ever. Stewardship isn’t just about long-term growth—it’s about helping each other in times of need. Today, I invite you to join me in supporting those affected by the fires through organizations like the Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, the LAFD Foundation, and the Pasadena Humane Society. Let’s come together to care for our community.