Good Morning Must Readers!

I hope you have had a great week. Newsletter 232 is full of work and life stories, keep an eye out for (1) why Microsoft is pushing hybrid work is just work now (2) the traits of successful colleagues (3) problem with tech for checkouts (4) music is more than streaming, artists don't like it (5) Kristen Bell on mental health and dopamine dependencies.

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Must Read Stories Of The Week

Work Must Reads

> The Successful Traits Of Powerful Employees 🧬 - What makes some employees different and importantly powerful influences in the business, from their behaviours to their why.

> Hybrid Is Work 💯 - Microsoft's latest report on hybrid work is attempting to reduce the friction caused by the demand to work hybrid and the ignorance about forcing everyone back into the office.

> Why Fresh Eyes & Desire Matters 👁 - Method is a global clean/green cleaning product and from a multi-time successful founder, his secret (other than being a designer) is a fresh set of eyes and applying design principles. (Vodcast well worth watching)

> The Issue With Self Checkout 💰 - This is an interesting take on the challenges of tech and the multiple ways it differs everywhere and the impact it actually has on customers. We are going to continue to this the theme of self check out but as mentioned many times before on Must Reads, when most zig you can zag and ramp up the personal connection and win by being more human and reducing the friction for the customer not reducing the cost of employees serving customers.

> Why Music Is More Than Streaming & Touring 🎵 - A really interesting discussion from two music industry leads discussing how music is more than just streaming and touring and the bigger impact of passive listening from TikTok, Reels etc. In the near future, we are going to see artists who top streaming charts quickly but struggle to sell out gigs, gain bigger sponsorships and sell supporting merch.

> Quick Fixes - The different types of colleagues reel (thanks long time Must Reader Allan for this) // 6 of the key elements for any cv/resume // The problem with ghost flights 35k empty seats // the good, bad and ugly recent rebrands (with comment by me)

> Amazon Prime Day 2 🛒 - If you are a prime customer you will already know this but what's fascinating is Amazon is squeezing out another prime day for the deal-hungry customer in this difficult economic environment. The customers might find a deal but the brands and sellers won't be happy as they will have to find more products and cut their margins again. Amazon is in a tricky spot, over-serve the customer or keep its sellers (supply side) happy.

Life Must Reads

> The Impact Of A TV Show On Disney+ ⚽️ - Well it's not just any TV show it stars Ryan Reynolds and his business partner buying a Welsh football club Wrexham. It's safe to say it's raised the profile of the club and put them in a good place in one month (btw I started the show and it is a very compelling series)

> Kristen Bell On Her Mental Health 🎧 - Really good podcast interview with The Skimm on how actress Kristen Bell handles her mental health and how understanding dopamine is so important to her life and her triggers

> Mix Of The Week 🪩 - comes from Creamfields by Mistajam

& Must Watch Of The Week

How billionaire (Dallas Mavericks owner and greatest shark on shark tank) is ripping through the American health system with fair-priced drugs. There's been a lot made of this approach across the world but Mark's no BS attitude is so refreshing & could lead him into a presidential campaign...

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Thanks for investing your time in Must Reads again this week, I'll land in your inbox next week.