New year, new opportunities – really? January feels like the time when we all press the “reset” button. While I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, I admit that the start of the year carries a special energy. Not because of big promises, but because it offers a chance to reflect. A calendar reset invites us to think about the past and the future – without the need for ambitious plans or instant transformations.

January is a time for setting goals – both in the business world and in our personal lives. We are all familiar with New Year's resolutions: exercising more, eating healthier, spending more time with friends, and so on. These are the ambitious goals we set at the beginning of the year, only to quickly forget about them.

December is a month when we write too many reports, attend numerous pre-New Year parties, and plan activities for the upcoming year. But it’s also a month to pause, look inward, and reflect on the past year. In the final blog of the year, the NC3 team asks what we’ve learned in 2024 and which valuable lessons we will carry into 2025.

A strong brand, one that outshines its competition, is not stronger solely in terms of higher sales, greater revenue, or a larger market share but also in its broader impact on its environment and society. It can co-create cultural moments, breakthroughs in acceptance and/or the rights of specific social groups, and even influence election outcomes and the policies of a nation. A strong brand transcends products or services and becomes a symbol of trust, identity, and emotional connection with consumers. Therefore, it is crucial for a brand to understand and respect its power, have clearly defined values and goals, and actively pursue, support, and promote them.

You’ve always been my favorite December gift-giver, so this year, I turn to you as I once did as a child who still believes in miracles. I write this letter at a time when the world urgently needs change, not gifts. And these changes must be profound, far-reaching, and lasting.

Trump’s election caused shockwaves in Europe. So much so that the German newspaper Die Zeit marked the occasion with the striking headline “Fuck.” Further explanation is hardly necessary. The reason is clear: the election will have profoundly negative consequences for the EU, the European economy, and competitiveness. This is primarily due to two key aspects of Trump’s campaign promises: his protectionist trade policy and the uncertain future of NATO, and consequently, the security of the European continent.

How often have you heard someone complain: "I told them, but they clearly didn’t get it!" or "I don’t know how else to explain it." Probably more often than you'd like – maybe you've even said something similar yourself. However, I often (likely due to a touch of professional deformation) find myself asking: Was the problem really on the other side? Was the message conveyed clearly enough?

There’s only about a month and a half left until the end of this year, and it's traditionally a somewhat hectic time—wrapping up projects, planning for the coming year, attending a slew of holiday parties, buying gifts, and planning menus for cozy celebrations with loved ones. Our to-do lists are often (too) long, but I believe this is a good time for reflection and planning, so here’s a list of things worth considering before the calendar flips to the new year.

You can find hundreds of articles online explaining why the American electorate voted the way it did. There are also plenty of analyses on how Trump wasn’t elected in 2024 only by white men, but also thanks to the support of Black and Spanish-speaking voters, who traditionally lean Democratic. And lastly, you can read about how Harris couldn’t gain traction even with a record-breaking billion-dollar campaign or the active support of various celebrities, led by Taylor Swift.