Imagine raising billions today to build the biggest newspaper company.. You will still fail. Not because you lack capital, but because the medium has declined. People no longer buy print newspapers.

But pivoting to blogs or digital platforms is a different story. The same hunger for information exists, but the format has changed. Those who moved online pivoted and because of this change were able to thrive.

The lesson here is clear, sometimes survival is not about working harder. It’s about shifting ground. If your industry is declining, you don’t fight the decline, you pivot around it.

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).