ISSUE #61

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GO FORWARD THOUGHT OF THE WEEK ➡️

AI isn’t a futuristic concept anymore—it’s an arms race. The only question is: Are you using it to your advantage, or are you about to be left in the dust?

The businesses winning today aren’t just experimenting with AI—they’re integrating it into everything. The way you worked before? It’s already outdated. The companies that are thriving are the ones that recognize AI isn’t just an optional tool—it’s the new operating system for productivity, efficiency, and business growth.

The truth is, companies that leverage AI the best will get more done, faster. They’ll automate the mundane so their teams can focus on big ideas and high-impact work. Meanwhile, those ignoring AI will struggle, getting bogged down with inefficient workflows (if they have any at all) while their competitors sprint ahead.

It’s not about whether AI will change your business—it’s about whether you’ll capture all the benefits, or watch someone else eat your lunch. The difference between leaders and laggards will come down to how well they implement AI-powered workflows, decision-making, and automation. And the gap is widening by the day.

What Could AI Do for Your Business?

• Create and repurpose content
• Scale your best salespeople
• Analyze trends and customer needs to inform your product roadmap
• Drive margin growth up so much your CFO will kiss you
• Increase your margin and revenue without having to hire more people to make it happen
• Automate or eliminate repetitive tasks (reporting, research)
• Give your best employees more time to focus on big ideas and serving your customers

Every business task should include AI assistance or automation. Forward-obsessed founders aren’t waiting. They’re testing AI, learning how to use it, and getting expert advice to build AI-powered workflows. They’re using AI to manage projects, speed up research, and take care of routine tasks—giving their teams more time to think, create, and lead.

AI isn’t about replacement. It’s about amplification. When used correctly, AI doesn’t replace teams—it enhances their ability to perform at an elite level. For example, I had a researcher who spent hours on reports. ChatGPT’s new deep research tool does it in minutes. Now my guy is leveling up as a systems operator, connecting several different tools and making the pieces fit in a way only he can see. He’s not stuck in the weeds anymore, he’s working at 10,000 feet.

I’ve spent years helping businesses—from scrappy startups to Fortune 500s—figure out how to integrate AI in ways that make their teams sharper, not obsolete. If you want to get ahead instead of playing catch-up, let’s talk.

I can help you find easy ways to use AI right away to improve your business. I’ll show you how to train your team so they stay ahead of the curve and keep their creative edge.

Click below to book a free call to figure out how AI can help your business grow. The first 15 minutes are on me. Let’s make sure your business is leading the way, not falling behind.

The DeepSeek Playbook: How China Outmaneuvered Silicon Valley

You might be thinking, why is Pete telling me about these super-nerd stories? Here’s the quick and dirty version. You’ll see below that DeepSeek proved smarter, leaner execution beats raw power. They built a top-tier AI model without throwing billions at hardware. If they can outthink Silicon Valley, what can you do to outmaneuver your competitors?

The Classic David vs. Goliath Playbook

Silicon Valley’s AI titans rely on brute force—more GPUs, bigger models, massive budgets. DeepSeek flipped the script by working smarter instead of harder:

• Efficiency over excess: They optimized their AI to self-correct, cutting costs to a tenth of competitors.
• Adaptation over excuses: Instead of crumbling under U.S. sanctions, they innovated around hardware shortages.
• Collaboration over secrecy: While OpenAI hoards knowledge, DeepSeek refined and repurposed open-source advancements.
• Software over hardware: They proved that cutting-edge AI doesn’t require cutting-edge chips—it requires smarter engineering.
• Resourcefulness over reliance: They didn’t need endless funding; they needed a better strategy.

Why You Should Care

DeepSeek’s win isn’t just an AI story—it’s a business story. Their strategy is a roadmap for how you can outthink, outmaneuver, and out-execute bigger competitors in your industry.

This is the playbook:

1. Efficiency is your edge — AI can help you do more with less.
2. Constraints fuel creativity — Use AI to optimize where others overspend.
3. Execution beats budget — It’s not about resources; it’s about resourcefulness.
4. Focus on strategy, not tools — AI isn’t about having the best tech; it’s about how you use it.
5. Make AI work for you — Don’t just use AI. Build workflows around it.

Smart execution is now worth more than deep pockets. This shift in the AI race has massive implications: If expensive hardware is no longer the defining advantage, then small, agile companies now have an opening to compete at the highest levels.

The question you need to be asking yourself is, why not us?

The AI race isn’t just about having the most firepower anymore—it’s about where and how you aim it. If you’re still hesitating on AI adoption, consider this: The companies who act now will define the next decade of industry leaders. Those who wait will struggle to keep up.

Want to apply the David vs Goliath Playbook to your business? Click below to book a 15-minute needs assessment and get actionable AI insights for your company.

👋 Hey, want even more than this? I spent 100 hours and wrote almost 10,000 words mapping out the AI battlefield in 2025. If this is something you want to prioritize for your business, book a 15 minute call with me.

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