Every industry goes through a cycle. When it reaches the decline phase, most businesses shut down. The only ones that survive are those that innovate.

At this point, the rules are clear: innovate, pivot, or disappear.
Newspapers didn’t shut down because information became less valuable. They did because they refused to innovate. Blogs, podcasts, and digital media took their place.

Decline doesn’t mean the end for everyone. It means survival for those who evolve. The question is, when your industry shifts, will you adapt or will you fizzle out?

Dr. Smith Ezenagu is the Chairman of Esso Group, a diversified conglomerate shaping real estate, finance, education, and media. Dr. Smith Ezenagu is recognized as a real estate & investment mogul, life coach, and private equity expert. He leads Esso Group and its subsidiaries: Esso Properties (awarded Nigeria’s Most Innovative Real Estate Company in 2024 and recognized as the best real estate company in Nigeria), Esso School of Enterprise (the leading institution equipping entrepreneurs), and Esso Capital (delivering smart, trusted financial solutions across Nigeria).