Blog post 28 Innovate

INSIGHT 21 | REPUTATION MATTERS

Reputations aren’t built overnight, few things are.

Who you choose to align with speaks volumes.

Who’s in your corner?

Will they carry you until you’ve found your feet?

in²¹ | Reputation Matters

The age of the Influencer… Shout to be heard 

The modern-day influencer plays in the very cloudy pool of social media but in the world of sport they are often unwilling heroes who inspire others. It’s incredible to think that a 16-year-old could take any sport and elevate its standing, but that is precisely what Luke Littler has done in the world of darts.

Not only did he make it all the way to the world championship final on his debut but within a year went one better, crowned champion in January 2025, breaking all manner of records along the way.

In fact, as I write Luke Littler has, at just 18 years of age, become the youngest world number one. Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, watch out, your unsurpassable tally of world championships has just come under threat.

Darts is an incredible leveller, founded in mental strength, something Luke has in abundance, quite possibly his biggest asset.

But that is also true of Beau Greaves, similarly dominant in the women’s game. She overcame Luke in a thrilling deciding set at the World Youth Championship, just days after he thumped the world number one Luke Humphries 6-1, to add the World Grand Prix to his growing collection of titles. In no other sport could this happen. Never, ever.

Especially when, just a few months later, Luke  went back-to-back, winning his second world crown and capturing the number one ranking spot.

All are role models, and their influence transcends the sport. And with youth on their side, will continue to do so for years to come, bringing new talent to the oche as an inevitable outcome.

Shining a spotlight on their undoubted talent gives them the oxygen of publicity, winning tournaments gives them credibility which fuels their reputation.

Your challenge is to find a way to shine a light on your product, exploiting the trusted reputation of sales outlets along the way.

Putting together your web store is great but never lose sight of the fact that it’s now your responsibility to drive traffic to that store. Challenging enough but once they’re there converting that interest into sales is quite another. A bold choice and certainly one of your outlets.

Whilst building your personal brand, creating that all important reputation others will trust, it’s worth dovetailing with established supply chains.

The right partners reputation can serve to boost your own. Like a three-legged race on school sports day, it can be tricky until you’re truly in step, but once you’re off and running their momentum will carry you forward. Piggybacking on others hard earned reputation is worthy of serious consideration.