Have you mapped out your business plans for 2026 but feel uncertain about how to bring them to life? This is a year of fresh starts, but strategy alone isn't a guarantee of success. While many organisations will set challenging objectives, the "execution gap" or the space between a great idea and a finished project often stems from a lack of people, resources, or specialist expertise. 

We have all noticed the shift lately. Scroll through your LinkedIn feed and you are just as likely to see a gym selfie or a holiday update as you are a market report. It has sparked a heated debate across the platform: has the world’s premier business network lost its way?

2025 has been a good year for us. The team at Eyes Wide Open has been working with a wide range of clients in the manufacturing, professional services and F&B sectors, helping them sharpen their marketing, boost their visibility, and drive sustainable growth. It’s been a busy year, but the foundations are there for a great 2026. 

Social media moves fast, especially for consumer brands trying to win attention (and baskets) in 2026. Audiences want personality, real talk, and stuff that actually helps or entertains them - not just pretty pictures. Here’s a simple way to get your brand set for a strong start.

In a world where businesses are racing to scale, SMEs often forget one crucial truth: your size is your superpower. As 2026 approaches, the most successful SMEs won’t be the biggest - they’ll be the clearest, the fastest and the boldest. Are you embracing your superpower?

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping e‑commerce marketing, and the smartest brands are blending it into their strategies in ways that elevate performance rather than disrupt it. The challenge is integrating it thoughtfully so that it becomes a reliable engine for clarity, consistency and growth. 

If the physical aisle is a battle for attention, then the digital sphere is a constant, exhilarating brawl for prime scroll space. The challenge has shifted from catching a shopper’s eye for three seconds to earning a share of their continuous, multi-platform attention. 

A good product isn’t enough anymore. Today’s consumers back brands that stand for something. Purpose is now a key buying driver, but only if it’s communicated with clarity and conviction, not wrapped in vague mission statements

Retail in 2026 will not just be about simply being present on the shelf, or listed online. The brands that succeed will be those that cut through the noise, create seamless customer journeys, and build trust through authentic storytelling.

Christmas is the most competitive season for FMCG brands and early planning is vital; but it's not too late to act now, ensuring that your brand stands out across the festive period.

Your company’s impact should be measured with clarity, and it begins with a confident ESG reporting journey. 

The success of ESG reporting depends on how well it reflects the true heart of your CSR commitments. 

Behind every ESG report is not just data, but people. The accuracy, credibility and impact of that report depend on how well those people communicate with each other. 

Purpose-led marketing has been around for a long time, but recently it’s become increasingly relevant — especially in the media.

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As many of you will know from my recent articles, I have become a convert to AI and am a genuine believer in the role it can play in our lives, both personal and business. From a marketing perspective, it is proving to be invaluable, from content origination, to creative ideas, analytics, and much more. Its ability to improve productivity and effectiveness is incredible, when used well. However, as with everything in life, there is always the flip side to the coin.

As a growing business, you will probably have been used to doing your own marketing, but with the increase in turnover comes an increase in management requirements, and marketing can easily drop down the list of priorities.

With costs of employment increasing as of the 1^st April with increased employers NI and an increase in minimum wage, not to mention the costs associated with employment increasing, the pressures on businesses to cut costs is growing.