Issue 70: A Bulletin for Big Ideas and Better Business

OPINION/ CREATIVITY

Humour is your secret to persuasion

💬 Sir John Hegarty

Sir Paul Smith is a hero of British fashion. His suits are sharp, sophisticated, but manage to be exuberant too. When an occasion demands tailoring, I rarely wear anything else. The designer’s thoughts on creativity and brand-building deserve close attention. But one of his greatest tips is about negotiation. Or more specifically, persuasion.

While absorbed with the more mercantile side of his job, Smith has – in the past – found himself participating in big, high stakes meetings that are about things like exports, sales figures and so forth. Sometimes there are commercial partners present, who must be treated with respect, but firmness too. When there’s a sticking point, or if these confabs happen to take on an oppressive, humourless tone, Smith will whip out a rubber chicken from his blazer pocket – then raise it aloft.

Make an otherwise dreary meeting memorable

This little move captures attention for a moment, and re-positions the centre of gravity in the room. But also, when people are amused, they become more open. Which makes it easier to build rapport or find an accord when things are taking a combative turn. It makes an otherwise dreary meeting memorable too. If you can make them laugh, you can probably make them buy.

THE AGENDA

🗓️ Diarise this: your agenda for the coming week

1.
Sweden’s most prestigious musical accolade (often dubbed the “Nobel of Music”) will be presented in Stockholm on Monday as this year’s Polar Music Prize is awarded to legendary UK band Queen, American jazz musician Herbie Hancock and Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan.
27th May

2.
Institutions across the globe will be joining in a weeklong celebration of culture and creativity as Museum Week begins on Monday. With events and digital initiatives spotlighting everything from ancient artefacts to cutting-edge curation, the week is a chance to explore how museums are evolving in the modern age.
2nd – 9th June

3.
June marks the beginning of Black Music Month – a time to honour the profound influence of Black musicians across every corner of the industry. First recognised by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the month celebrates the legacy and innovation of artists whose work continues to shape the sound of popular culture.
1st – 30th June

4.
The London Festival of Architecture opens on Sunday, with this year’s theme inviting reflection on the notion of Voices. The event features talks, tours, installations and open studios across the capital – all exploring the future of how we live, build and design.
1st – 30th June

5.
The Peabody Awards will be presented in Los Angeles this Sunday, honouring excellence in storytelling across television, radio, documentary and digital media. Winners this year include features on everything from whale hunting in Alaska to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. 
1st June

GLOBAL / BOOKS

A creative art form: Nuance and depth in AI narration?
Source: Audible

Voicing concerns

Audible has unveiled plans to introduce AI-narrated audiobooks, allowing publishers to select from over 100 auto-generated voices across English, Spanish, French and Italian. AI-powered translation is also in the works, with rollout expected later this year. While the company claims this will broaden access and lower costs, the announcement has sparked backlash from writers, translators and voice actors alike. Critics argue that AI narrators can’t replicate the nuance, timing and emotional depth of human performance – the very things that elevate audiobooks into an art form. From the crack in a voice during a moment of heartbreak to the comedic flair of a well-timed aside, great narration is a skill, not just a sound. As AI makes deeper inroads into creative industries, Audible’s move raises fresh questions about where we draw the line between convenience and craftsmanship.

ON CREATIVITY /

Contributor: Sir John Hegarty

EUROPE / ART

The Spider: Collaboration to celebrate creativity
Source: Instagram.com/ArtWeekSpider

Art of connection

Europe’s top art weeks are joining forces under a new cultural network called The Spider, designed to strengthen connections across the continent’s contemporary art scene. The initiative links major events including Stockholm Art Week, Amsterdam Art Week and London Gallery Weekend, with the aim of fostering mobility, collaboration and knowledge exchange between curators, collectors, writers and other art world insiders. The Spider will coordinate press and professional trips, amplify regional art scenes, and support both emerging and established talent across borders. At a time when cultural sectors are facing mounting pressure from economic uncertainty and political fragmentation, this collective approach offers a timely reminder that art thrives on connection. As The Spider spins its web across Europe, it hopes to build not just visibility but real community.

US / ARCHITECTURE

Frank Lloyd Wright: Smith House, Michigan
Source: James Haefner / The Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research

Cruise news

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has announced the launch of a new themed cruise of the Great Lakes, offering fans a rare chance to explore some of the architect’s most iconic private residences, including the Amberg House in Grand Rapids and the Smith House in Detroit. Onboard, guests can attend lectures and discussions celebrating Wright’s legacy. Themed cruises have boomed in popularity in recent years, with voyages now tailored to nearly every niche imaginable, from true crime to Taylor Swift. For cruise operators, it’s a smart way to court devoted fanbases; for passengers, it’s a chance to immerse themselves in a shared interest and meet like-minded travellers while seeing the world.

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

/Jack London