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Why Tigers never stand still
- 23 Nov 2015|
- Marketing Strategy|
- Posted by Martyn East
Originally published 23 November 2015 at 16:36. Updated 28 January 2026 at 14:46.
Tiger businesses still define how I look at sustainable growth, but in 2026, the standard is higher. Speed alone is not enough. Profit alone is not enough. A modern Tiger business is one that moves fast while staying credible, visible and accountable. Growth now depends on trust as much as performance.
Back in 2015, profit, people and planet felt like three ideas that were starting to overlap. In 2026, they are inseparable. Customers research before they buy. Employees assess culture before they commit. Investors assess responsibility before they invest. Transparency is built into the system. There is no space left to hide weak values or short-term thinking.
Tiger businesses understand that reputation compounds. So does damage.
Growth today is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things, consistently, in full view of the market.
Instead of bullet-heavy definitions, this is how the difference looks in practice:
| 2015 Tiger Business Thinking | 2026 Tiger Business Reality |
| Growth focused on speed and profit | Growth balanced with trust and accountability |
| Values communicated in brand messaging | Values demonstrated through behaviour and data |
| Sustainability as image | Sustainability as an operational discipline |
| Technology for efficiency | Technology for insight, accuracy and responsibility |
| Leadership behind closed doors | Leadership is visible and evaluated publicly |
| Marketing drives perception | Behaviour drives reputation |
This is the shift most businesses still underestimate.
Profit in 2026 is an outcome, not a starting point. It follows clarity, consistency and credibility. Brands that chase revenue without earning belief eventually stall. Tiger businesses stay profitable because people want to buy from them, work for them and partner with them.
Transparency now defines leadership quality. Every business leaves a public footprint through reviews, social platforms, AI summaries, financial data and regulatory records. Tiger businesses do not try to manage perception. They manage reality, knowing perception will follow.
Technology has changed what leadership looks like. AI now exposes decision-making quality. It shows where processes are weak, where data is misunderstood and where accountability is missing. Used properly, it sharpens strategy. Used poorly, it damages trust faster than any press story ever could.
People-first leadership is no longer cultural language. It is an operational strategy. Teams drive service quality, innovation and brand stability. Tiger businesses invest in clarity, communication and development because they know instability inside the organisation always appears outside it.
Sustainability has also matured. It is no longer about being seen to care. It is about efficiency, compliance, risk control and supply chain resilience. Businesses that embed it run leaner, safer and with stronger investor confidence.
The biggest threat in 2026 is stagnation. Not failure. Not mistakes. Stopping. Markets reset faster than companies can adapt. Tiger businesses stay alive because they never assume stability means safety.
They review:
- Their leadership decisions
- Their customer signals
- Their data accuracy
- Their brand behaviour
And they act before problems appear in headlines or revenue graphs.
If I rewrote this piece today, I would not describe Tiger businesses as ambitious. I would describe them as disciplined. Growth is not accidental. It is the result of alignment between values, technology, leadership and execution.
That is what makes a Tiger business in 2026.
About the Author – Martyn East
I wrote this piece from direct experience working with ambitious businesses that want growth without losing control of their reputation. As an SEO Executive at Purplex, I focus on how strategy, content, data and visibility connect. For me, marketing only works when it supports long-term trust, not short-term noise. I spend most of my time helping companies build search visibility that reflects how they actually operate, not how they wish to be seen.
My work centres on SEO strategy, content structure, and authority building that drives qualified enquiries and steady growth. You can see how we approach this through our SEO services or explore our wider Marketing Consultancy.
Connect with me on LinkedIn or read more of my writing here: Martyn East.
Want a marketing strategy that supports growth and trust?
If you want your marketing strategy to stand up to scrutiny and drive consistent enquiries, we can help you tighten your plan and improve how you show proof across every channel. Start with our Marketing Consultancy, then connect the delivery through Web Design, E-commerce, PR & Communications, SEO, PPC, Filming & Video Production, Social Media, Design & Branding, and LeadTracker.
For more information, use our contact form, email grow@purplexmarketing.com, or call 01934 808132.
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