https://sam-page.com/thinking Posts, articles and every edition of The Friday Takeaway by Sam Page. en-gb Tue, 03 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://sam-page.com/thinking/please-help-me-to-thank-richard-branson https://sam-page.com/thinking/please-help-me-to-thank-richard-branson Tue, 03 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour Between us, I'm hoping we can reach someone at Virgin, or Richard directly. https://sam-page.com/thinking/just-the-four-of-us-on-portwrinkle-beach-in-cornwall https://sam-page.com/thinking/just-the-four-of-us-on-portwrinkle-beach-in-cornwall Sun, 01 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership Plus Mabel the dog. https://sam-page.com/thinking/nobody-warns-you-about-the-middle-of-the-night-viveks-story https://sam-page.com/thinking/nobody-warns-you-about-the-middle-of-the-night-viveks-story Fri, 30 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway This week, I'm back with a guest, who I spent time with in Atlanta last week. https://sam-page.com/thinking/you-can-build-something-really-impressive-for-your-customers-and-they-still-migh https://sam-page.com/thinking/you-can-build-something-really-impressive-for-your-customers-and-they-still-migh Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour You can build something really impressive for your customers and they still might reject it. https://sam-page.com/thinking/when-i-visited-the-king-center-in-atlanta https://sam-page.com/thinking/when-i-visited-the-king-center-in-atlanta Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour When I visited The King Center in Atlanta, I wasn’t expecting to read the words “When machines and computers...” from Martin Luther King. https://sam-page.com/thinking/wheres-the-fun-gone https://sam-page.com/thinking/wheres-the-fun-gone Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I’m going to be pretty quick this week. I’m recording from a hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia, where I’ve just spent an awesome couple of days running workshops with a client. https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-took-a-step-back-last-week-to-consider-where-were-investing-effort-into-ai-as https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-took-a-step-back-last-week-to-consider-where-were-investing-effort-into-ai-as Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI I took a step back last week to consider where we're investing effort into AI as a business, broadly categorising them into two areas: efficiency and innovation. https://sam-page.com/thinking/atlanta-bound-where-ill-be-available-for-hugs-workshops https://sam-page.com/thinking/atlanta-bound-where-ill-be-available-for-hugs-workshops Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership Atlanta bound, where I'll be available for hugs workshops https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-met-tom-noble-at-waterloo-station-last-thursday https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-met-tom-noble-at-waterloo-station-last-thursday Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership We looked like we were about to do some sort of odd exchange. https://sam-page.com/thinking/its-survival-marks-story https://sam-page.com/thinking/its-survival-marks-story Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway Last week I wrote about Mark Kennedy, who's been out of work for 18 months. https://sam-page.com/thinking/chatgpt-is-citing-reddit-88-less-and-wikipedia-80-less-than-it-was-six-months-ag https://sam-page.com/thinking/chatgpt-is-citing-reddit-88-less-and-wikipedia-80-less-than-it-was-six-months-ag Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Marketing When it needs to check a fact, it’s increasingly going to your website instead. https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-was-at-hampdens-market-briefing-at-fishmongers-hall-this-morning https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-was-at-hampdens-market-briefing-at-fishmongers-hall-this-morning Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI I was at Hampden's market briefing at Fishmongers’ Hall this morning, and one comment has really stuck with me. https://sam-page.com/thinking/last-week-i-had-a-fireside-chat-with-forbes-low-at-the-kingston-chamber-of-comme https://sam-page.com/thinking/last-week-i-had-a-fireside-chat-with-forbes-low-at-the-kingston-chamber-of-comme Sun, 11 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour Here’s the six questions and short version of what we covered. https://sam-page.com/thinking/if-im-totally-honest-i-started-this-week-feeling-a-bit-low https://sam-page.com/thinking/if-im-totally-honest-i-started-this-week-feeling-a-bit-low Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI By the end of it, I’m feeling super recharged. The difference was leaning into the things I felt compelled to do, especially helping someone else. https://sam-page.com/thinking/when-you-feel-compelled-to-do-something https://sam-page.com/thinking/when-you-feel-compelled-to-do-something Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I’ve had a couple of guests on recently, but this week I’m back on my own. And a confession, I video recorded this and had the wrong camera selected. So I recorded my screen, rather than… https://sam-page.com/thinking/on-tuesday-i-sat-down-in-person-to-chat-with-mark-kennedy https://sam-page.com/thinking/on-tuesday-i-sat-down-in-person-to-chat-with-mark-kennedy Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour On Tuesday I sat down in-person to chat with Mark Kennedy, after seeing a post about him on LinkedIn. Over two hours later, after tears and a hug, I could have kept talking all evening. https://sam-page.com/thinking/wow-what-a-lovely-reaction-from-people-on-linkedin https://sam-page.com/thinking/wow-what-a-lovely-reaction-from-people-on-linkedin Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour A few weeks ago one of Tom Noble's posts about building Chateau Noble, his wine company, caught my eye. https://sam-page.com/thinking/being-in-sales-is-hard-whether-youre-a-professional-seller-or-someone-whos-ended https://sam-page.com/thinking/being-in-sales-is-hard-whether-youre-a-professional-seller-or-someone-whos-ended Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Sales Being in "sales" is hard, whether you're a professional seller or someone who's ended up selling without ever meaning to (like me). Its time consuming, and its difficult to know if… https://sam-page.com/thinking/one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-i-see-organisations-making-is-becoming-over-reliant https://sam-page.com/thinking/one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-i-see-organisations-making-is-becoming-over-reliant Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour One of the biggest mistakes I see organisations making is becoming over-reliant on paid search to drive demand. https://sam-page.com/thinking/you-might-be-wondering-why-bella-kernan-is-holding-an-orange-flip-flop https://sam-page.com/thinking/you-might-be-wondering-why-bella-kernan-is-holding-an-orange-flip-flop Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership You might be wondering why Bella Kernan is holding an orange flip-flop, shortly after her 10 year anniversary at 7DOTS. There is a story behind it. https://sam-page.com/thinking/ed-gossage-you-have-to-get-comfortable-being-uncomfortable-17-years-building-a-b https://sam-page.com/thinking/ed-gossage-you-have-to-get-comfortable-being-uncomfortable-17-years-building-a-b Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway We recorded this one outside with a pint each, because today is 17 years to the day since Ed and I started 7DOTS. https://sam-page.com/thinking/17-years-into-running-7dots-a-lot-of-people-ask-me-how-ed-and-i-met https://sam-page.com/thinking/17-years-into-running-7dots-a-lot-of-people-ask-me-how-ed-and-i-met Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership 17 years into running 7DOTS, a lot of people ask me how Ed and I met, and how we've stuck at it together... so here's the story, and a lot of appreciation. https://sam-page.com/thinking/its-kates-last-day-at-7dots-today https://sam-page.com/thinking/its-kates-last-day-at-7dots-today Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership It's Kate’s last day at 7DOTS today, as she's emigrating to New Zealand, and I just wanted to take a moment to thank her publicly for everything. https://sam-page.com/thinking/my-doodle-after-recently-chatting-with-a-ceo-about-how-they-can-align https://sam-page.com/thinking/my-doodle-after-recently-chatting-with-a-ceo-about-how-they-can-align Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Customer experience My doodle after recently chatting with a CEO about how they can align digital/technology to enable where the organisation is going. Part of our monthly catch-up to help each other keep… https://sam-page.com/thinking/bella-thank-you-so-much-for-everything-over-the-past-10-years https://sam-page.com/thinking/bella-thank-you-so-much-for-everything-over-the-past-10-years Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership Not only have you you been invaluable to our clients and the business, but you've made the journey so much more fun along the way for all of us... which of course has included the… https://sam-page.com/thinking/gemma-page-building-confidence-amidst-lifes-juggling-act https://sam-page.com/thinking/gemma-page-building-confidence-amidst-lifes-juggling-act Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway Two firsts this week. I've video recorded the episode, and I've got a guest. https://sam-page.com/thinking/would-you-wear-a-happy-to-stand-badge https://sam-page.com/thinking/would-you-wear-a-happy-to-stand-badge Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour I was recently travelling on a mega busy train and noticed how many people ended up standing. Elderly people, a pregnant lady, young children. https://sam-page.com/thinking/every-friday-i-share-whats-been-going-on-in-my-week https://sam-page.com/thinking/every-friday-i-share-whats-been-going-on-in-my-week Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership Unfiltered and behind the scenes, as a CEO, founder, advisor, charity chair, husband and dad. https://sam-page.com/thinking/lean-in-and-give-something-a-go https://sam-page.com/thinking/lean-in-and-give-something-a-go Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I'm trying out a new format for the Friday Takeaway this week. The idea is to give it a bit of structure, so people know what they're getting when they come back. https://sam-page.com/thinking/personal-ai-assistants-have-been-on-the-horizon-for-a-while https://sam-page.com/thinking/personal-ai-assistants-have-been-on-the-horizon-for-a-while Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI They're now close enough to change how your customers buy from you. https://sam-page.com/thinking/when-im-travelling-for-work-i-try-to-make-the-most-of-the-time https://sam-page.com/thinking/when-im-travelling-for-work-i-try-to-make-the-most-of-the-time Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour And I don't mean working. So this Sunday I made some notes as I headed to Ireland. https://sam-page.com/thinking/making-your-own-luck https://sam-page.com/thinking/making-your-own-luck Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway It has been an incredibly busy week. A combination of my children going back to school, and what that means in family life. And then the world of business kicking back into gear after… https://sam-page.com/thinking/there-are-few-things-more-exciting-than-launching-a-new-brand-and-website https://sam-page.com/thinking/there-are-few-things-more-exciting-than-launching-a-new-brand-and-website Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Marketing not to mention the new signage, merch and cakes that come along with it. https://sam-page.com/thinking/visibility-wins https://sam-page.com/thinking/visibility-wins Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I'm back at work this week after two beautiful weeks away, recharging and catching up with the family. So it's no surprise that the first thing on my mind is going back to work with a bump. https://sam-page.com/thinking/meta-spent-the-first-half-of-this-year-planning-to-hand-a-large-chunk-of-its https://sam-page.com/thinking/meta-spent-the-first-half-of-this-year-planning-to-hand-a-large-chunk-of-its Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI Meta spent the first half of this year planning to hand a large chunk of its employees' work over to AI agents. Reuters shared an interesting investigation into it last week! https://sam-page.com/thinking/one-week-doesnt-cut-it https://sam-page.com/thinking/one-week-doesnt-cut-it Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway Another quick Friday Takeaway this week… mainly because (if I'm being totally honest) I'm still on holiday and completely forgot to sit down early this morning and write it. But then… https://sam-page.com/thinking/ideas-enthusiasm-and-joy https://sam-page.com/thinking/ideas-enthusiasm-and-joy Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I'm on holiday this week and next, down in Cornwall, so this week's Friday Takeaway is going to be a little bit different. In particular, because I've not done very much 7DOTS work this… https://sam-page.com/thinking/finding-the-balance https://sam-page.com/thinking/finding-the-balance Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I have to admit I'm surprised how many people have subscribed to this (gulp), thank you. I really hope I can write something interesting in each edition. https://sam-page.com/thinking/for-me-community-comes-from-people-deciding-to-support-each-other https://sam-page.com/thinking/for-me-community-comes-from-people-deciding-to-support-each-other Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour And the one that matters most is the community you live in. https://sam-page.com/thinking/start-with-the-problem https://sam-page.com/thinking/start-with-the-problem Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway I've been posting The Friday Takeaway as a standard post on LinkedIn for a while now... but from today I'm going to try switching this Newsletter format. https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-tried-the-new-ray-ban-metas-a-few-weeks-ago-and-couldnt-think-of-anything-id-w https://sam-page.com/thinking/i-tried-the-new-ray-ban-metas-a-few-weeks-ago-and-couldnt-think-of-anything-id-w Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Sales I tried the new Ray-Ban Metas a few weeks ago and couldn't think of anything I'd want to own less. https://sam-page.com/thinking/my-son-starts-high-school-after-the-holidays https://sam-page.com/thinking/my-son-starts-high-school-after-the-holidays Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour My son starts high school after the holidays, and Gemma and I have been working through whether he should get a smartphone, a flip phone, or have no phone at all. https://sam-page.com/thinking/back-from-umbria-and-not-as-rested-as-i-expected https://sam-page.com/thinking/back-from-umbria-and-not-as-rested-as-i-expected Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway The Friday Takeaway https://sam-page.com/thinking/thinking-differently-is-not-a-weakness https://sam-page.com/thinking/thinking-differently-is-not-a-weakness Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour For a long time, I didn't fully see it that way. School was hard. It wasn't built for me. And when you don't fit the mould, it's easy to think you're the problem. https://sam-page.com/thinking/think-big-start-small-act-now-a-simple-framework-for-getting-the-right-things-do https://sam-page.com/thinking/think-big-start-small-act-now-a-simple-framework-for-getting-the-right-things-do Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI Everyone feels busier than ever. More demands, more messages, more output expected faster just to keep up. https://sam-page.com/thinking/the-friday-takeaway-is-served-even-if-its-a-bit-hot-for-a-takeaway https://sam-page.com/thinking/the-friday-takeaway-is-served-even-if-its-a-bit-hot-for-a-takeaway Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The Friday Takeaway The Friday Takeaway is served... even if it's a bit hot for a takeaway. In summary: https://sam-page.com/thinking/this-photo-is-me-and-ed-my-co-founder-at-7dots-on-a-recent-trip-to-poland https://sam-page.com/thinking/this-photo-is-me-and-ed-my-co-founder-at-7dots-on-a-recent-trip-to-poland Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership I'm in the gym. Ed's in the pool, swimming against a jet flow. https://sam-page.com/thinking/according-to-mark-zuckerberg-ai-agents-are-progressing-slower-than-expected https://sam-page.com/thinking/according-to-mark-zuckerberg-ai-agents-are-progressing-slower-than-expected Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Emerging tech and AI That matches what I have been seeing with LLM model progression levelling off compared to early developments, and businesses struggling to deploy and scale AI effectively. https://sam-page.com/thinking/if-you-had-an-employee-and-could-clearly-see-an-area-where-they-had-room-to-grow https://sam-page.com/thinking/if-you-had-an-employee-and-could-clearly-see-an-area-where-they-had-room-to-grow Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 People and behaviour If you had an employee and could clearly see an area where they had room to grow, you'd want to share that with them, gently and honestly, because that's how you help someone become… https://sam-page.com/thinking/how-do-you-become-more-strategic https://sam-page.com/thinking/how-do-you-become-more-strategic Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Founder life and leadership Something I've asked myself many times over the years. Here are three simple principles you can follow.