About
Articles by Layton
Activity
6K followers
-
Layton Cox shared thisWe often dismiss "work-life balance" as a corporate buzzword or a recruiting perk. I used to view it that way too. However, after spending my first full year at Sedulo Group, my perspective has changed. The graph tells the story: in 2025, I lost over 30 pounds. This wasn't due to a radical crash diet or training for a marathon. I simply worked in an environment that allowed me to prioritize my health without sacrificing my professional output. When the constant fight or flight stress of a toxic corporate grind is removed, your body responds. I feel sharper, have more energy for my team, and am genuinely happier. We often assume that winning business and delivering value requires us to physically grind ourselves down. My experience this past year proves that theory wrong. We build our best strategies when we are clearheaded and healthy. If your work culture demands your health as payment, the cost is too high.
-
Layton Cox shared thisI am asking for some #help with vendor recommendations. For multiple different ventures and efforts, I find that I'm currently in need of some creative demand-generation vendors: SEO, GEO, AEO, Paid Search, Paid Search, Cold Outreach, Warm Outreach, Podcast Outreach, Webinar Creation & Launch, Local Search, etc. I am currently starting a rather robust search to help across all of these efforts as I build out a few different demand funnels. If you are in this business OR if you know of a rockstar in this business, please let me know! #RequestForProposal #Demand #Marketing #DemandGeneration #VendorRequest #RFP #RFI
-
Layton Cox shared thisAs I do every year, here's my recap of 2025. There was a lot more I could've added into this one, but to be completely honest, I'm ready for 2025 to be done. A valuable skill is knowing what's worth the effort and what's not, a lot of 2025 isn't worth rehashing. Eyes on the horizon, welcome 2026!
-
Layton Cox posted thisAt the end of each year, I tend to look back at the year and reflect. 2025 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱... • The macroeconomic environment was abysmal. • US Real Household Consumption (PCE) effectively saw zero growth. • Deloitte showed that traditional business capital expenditure, excluding the AI technology segment, was negative for 2025. I got to see how this impacts the economy in four ways: 1. My clients at Sedulo (Fortune 500 multi-national companies) 2. Sedulo (our own financial performance) 3. My clients for 30A House Cleaning (Airbnb owners in the panhandle of Florida) 4. My personal income Across the board, it was a bad year. Cost cutting is at the top of everyone's mind and growth opportunities are not coming as easily as we have seen before. Clients are seeing mass layoffs, tourism is down, and I had to sell the Aston Martin 🫣 However, this time of year also makes me very grateful. • I am learning. • I am thankful for the constant evolution and necessary improvement. • I am lucky because I actually enjoy the work I do. The strategy, the problem solving, and the process of building something are what fuel me. • I am thankful to be doing this work, even when it's hard. • I am thankful I work with great (and likeable) people. This includes my amazing clients. Their trust is a powerful motivator. I am, and always will be, an optimist. My fundamental belief is that 2026 will be better. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.
-
Layton Cox reposted thisLayton Cox reposted thisThey say that information is power. In the ever-changing and increasingly competitive B2B landscape, it’s also a strategic advantage. When used effectively, it empowers companies to grow profitably, scale rapidly and outsmart their competitors. So how can B2B companies harness the power of competitive and market intelligence (CI & MI) to drive profitable growth? That’s why we’re talking to Layton Cox (Senior Director of Competitive Intelligence & Strategy Consulting, Sedulo Group), who shared his experience and provided valuable insights on how to strengthen your B2B differentiation with competitive intelligence. During our conversation, Layton emphasized the importance of primary research over the reliance on secondary data, and elaborated on the value of internal data and direct competitor insights. He also discussed building a centralized intelligence framework for data storage and conducting primary research to uncover unique competitive advantages. Layton also talked about how teams can break down silos within organizations, sharing research findings across business units, and shared common pitfalls that marketing teams should avoid. In the video clip below, Layton talks about how to unlock insights using internal data. Click on the link in the comments below to access the full interview. #b2bmarketersonamission #b2bmarketing #competitiveintelligence #marketintelligence
-
Layton Cox shared thisRant about shitty AI use. I'm sure you are seeing this same writing trope pop up a lot lately: "It's not ______, it's ______." or "___ isn't just ____, it's _____" (see first sentence in attached image from Gemini and the second sentence in the image from Copilot) This is the new "em dash". A tell-tale sign something was written by AI. For people who don't use AI every day, you might miss it. Usually it's relatively well hidden and it reads naturally. However, for anyone who actually leverages AI, it's extremely annoying. If you see this in a post or article, it was written with AI and you should discount the author's credibility (a bit, not fully but a bit). If it shows up in your writing, beware. It's not just annoying, it's a signal of AI usage... #AI
-
Layton Cox shared thisOne of the most powerful tools in our consulting arsenal at Sedulo Group is the Threat & Opportunity Prioritization matrix. It’s invaluable across every sector, but with the holiday shopping season ramping up, consumer companies need this framework now. Why? Consumer industries are a non-stop pressure cooker of shifting trends, regulations, and distributor whims. Everyone sees the change; the real challenge is prioritizing which changes deserve your budget and attention. This matrix cuts the noise by forcing a clear assessment based on three critical factors: 1. Impact: The consequence (growth potential or disaster risk). 2. Probability: The likelihood of the event occurring. 3. Confidence: The reliability of the data supporting your assessment. This structure ensures you separate fleeting fads from fundamental shifts. Apply it consistently, and you stop burning capital on distractions and start capturing value where timing and trust are everything. We recently dove deep into how Consumer companies can leverage this tool effectively in our new blog post. https://lnkd.in/e8PRvW-V #Prioritization #Strategy #Consulting #RiskManagement #ConsumerGoods #Consumer #ConsumerServices #FrameworkThreat and Opportunity Prioritization Matrix for Consumer IndustryThreat and Opportunity Prioritization Matrix for Consumer Industry
-
Layton Cox shared thisHad a great 15 minute quick conversation with Marketing by Data and Jason Wright We focused on two key questions teams must answer as they are entering their annual planning and growth efforts: 1. Where to play 2. How to win If you don't have answers to those two questions, you won't be able to strategically grow. That's the story. If you want to answer those questions, watch the video: https://lnkd.in/etzE8sKT
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisWe hired a contractor to support with a specialized area of law recently. He sent me some work product. Naturally, I checked it against the document it was related to. I might not know the area of law but I can read. “You referenced Section 6.02 but that provision relates to tax. I don’t see the mechanic you’re referring to. Can you clarify?” His response: “Ah yes, that was purely illustrative. Blah blah blah…” It quickly became clear what was going on. I had to tell my team the following emphatically: “If you use AI and you don’t check its work, you’re fired. No second chances.” We’re seeing it play out across the economy right now from hallucinated cases in litigation and beyond. Folks are letting AI lower their standards instead of elevating them. Outputs getting faster without anyone there to check them is a recipe for disaster.
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisAfter eight years as a Blackhawk pilot, its time for a new chapter for me and my family. This Fall, I’ll be transitioning out of Army Aviation and heading to University of Virginia Darden School of Business to pursue my MBA! None of this happens alone. Huge thanks to my wonderful family, Faisal Khan and the Leland team, and my friends for the support, the honest feedback, and the encouragement to bet on myself. #Wahoowa⚔️
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisI asked a partner at a global consulting firm — 20 years in operations, 2,000 consultants — what he thought about AI making his team more productive. He said something I wasn't expecting: "Productivity is a nice-to-have. All I'm thinking about is things I can sell." He didn't care that AI could save his analysts ten hours a week. He cared that AI could let his firm review 60,000 vendor contracts in a way that McKinsey literally cannot. Not faster. Not cheaper. A capability that didn't exist before. "I'm not selling the efficiency. I'm selling the capability." I've had this conversation a dozen times now. A managing partner at a 45-year-old boutique told me 80% of his best thinking never makes it out the door — not because the ideas are bad, but because the work of turning one insight into outreach, content, and follow-up is too much for four people to do systematically. Another partner at a 60-person firm described his entire business development model as "we walk the halls and talk to people." None of them asked me for a productivity tool. Every single one asked for something that would help them sell. The consulting industry is drowning in AI tools that save hours. What it actually needs are AI tools that create capabilities. Things you couldn't do before, not things you could do faster. If you run a practice at a consulting firm, I'd love to know: is your firm buying AI to save time, or to do something new? Send this to a partner who should be thinking about it.
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisEight years ago, James Ransome joined Patrick Morgan as our very first hire, straight out of university. We started out of a two man cupboard room with no windows. Today, he has been promoted to Partner. A huge moment for for our firm. From those early days, James has shown a level of commitment that goes well beyond the job. Early starts, late finishes and a relentless focus on building both our business and his own personal brand in the market. That has translated into exceptional client relationships and a position as a recognised thought leader in his own right. More recently, he has done all of this while stepping into a new chapter as a father, balancing growing responsibilities at home with continued performance at work. That is never easy and makes this milestone even more meaningful. The journey from graduate to Partner is a special one. It takes resilience, commercial instinct and the ability to evolve as the business grows. James exemplifies the values of our firm and is a genuine asset to it. Proud of what he has achieved and excited for what comes next. Congratulations, James!
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisI’m Closing the MMA Due to AI Not permanently—just every Thursday afternoon. We’re shutting down the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) to focus entirely on learning and applying AI. No Slack. No email. No “quick questions.” Just building. AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a fundamental shift in how work gets done and value is created. Yet teams are expected to transform while still delivering day-to-day output. That doesn’t work. You can’t reinvent workflows in the margins between meetings. We’ve seen this before with PCs, the internet, and mobile. Real gains only came when organizations redesigned how work happens. AI will be no different—but the upside is far bigger. At MMA, we’re already seeing it: AI-driven training, automated evaluation, and personalization work delivering triple-digit gains. This future requires new workflows, new skills, and new discipline. So Thursdays are now dedicated to building AI-powered systems that actually complete work—not just advise on it. The future belongs to those who can design and manage AI agents. Judgment still matters. Humans still own responsibility. But the shift is here—and it’s irreversible. So we’re making the time. Every Thursday, MMA closes. Not to slow down. But to rebuild how work gets done.
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisA former MBA student stopped me the other day to tell me, “Your class convinced me to close my business! Thank you!” I doubt the Cox School of Business will put that testimonial on the website. But failure is an important part of the market process.
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisAs we approach our (first) 10% decline of 2026, remind yourself: This is what we sign up for as long-term investors. The average year sees *more than one* decline of 10% or more in the stock market. In 2025, for example, the "Tariff Tantrum" led to a (-17%) market decline. For many retirees, that Tariff Tantrum led to a 6-figure (> $100,000) loss in their portfolio value. It was temporary. The year still finished +15% overall. It was normal, expected, and will certainly happen again. These types of decline happen most years! But it is never fun to live through.
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thishow your boss looks at you after the “anonymous” employee survey
-
Layton Cox liked thisLayton Cox liked thisHad the privilege of delivering a keynote for NATO DIANA at Universität der Bundeswehr München, in the Stauffenberg Saal as part of the cluster 3 program. The session brought together 11 defense startups and 22 innovators across very different stages, from newly forming university spin-offs to teams that recently closed €11M rounds. From my experience at Sunfish Partners and on the operating side, there are three things I wanted to make clear: → The right defence VC is not the one who discovered defence in 2022. → Wrong investor money is worse than no money. Choose like a co-founder. → Start building relationships long before you need capital. Investors bet on people they've watched. Thanks to Isabel G., Lydia Auerbach, Christian Hösle, Shayan F. Kharazi and the Palladion Defence Accelerator team for having me and to every founder in that room who asked a hard question. If you want to keep the conversation going, feel free to reach out to Dr. Marcus Erken, Max Moldenhauer or myself. Sunfish Partners has been active in deeptech for over a decade and is proud to support the brightest minds in defense early on. #DefenceTech #Fundraising #NATODiana #VentureCapital #SunfishPartners
Experience & Education
-
Sedulo Group
View Layton’s full experience
See their title, tenure and more.
By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.
Licenses & Certifications
-
-
-
-
-
Business Analytics: Data Wrangling
PwC
IssuedCredential ID The badge is representative of roughly 50 hours of data handling with Alteryx -
Human-Centered Design
PwC
IssuedCredential ID The badge is representative of roughly 20 hours of agile learning -
Digital Acumen
PwC
IssuedCredential ID The badge is representative of roughly 25 hours of digital learning -
-
Volunteer Experience
-
-
Freshman Defensive Backs Coach
Horizon High School
- 1 year 4 months
Education
-
-
Philanthropy Board Member
Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse
- 3 years 5 months
Civil Rights and Social Action
-
-
Off-Season Strength & Conditioning Coach
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy
- 7 months
Education
-
Treasurer
Theta Chi Beta Iota Housing Board
- 4 years
Social Services
Publications
-
What Your Net Worth Is And How You Can Grow It
Elite Daily
See publicationBrief summary of what your personal net worth equation is and how to affect it
-
5 Basic Concepts Of Finance We All Should Have Learned In High School
Elite Daily
See publicationHighlights five personal finance concepts most Americans with a high school degree were never taught and their importance in day-to-day life
-
How Debt By Way Of Higher Education Will Ruin Millennials' Lives
Elite Daily
See publicationArticle written from a personal finance perspective on how debt has and will affect the Millennial generation
Projects
-
Improving My Chili's Rewards
- Present
Conducted marketing research for Brinker International by creating a survey to identify emotional drivers of loyalty programs and casual dining restaurants. Results were analyzed to identify customer insights allowing for recommendations to improve the My Chili's Rewards program.
-
Envy Gaming Engagement Program
-
Created an audience engagement program to increase revenue from live esports events. Conducted focus groups, surveys, stakeholder interviews, quantitative research, and market research to create a financial model creating millions of dollars in incremental revenue based on our engagement program's strategy and tactics incentivizing fans to attend events more frequently and spend more.
-
Mizzen + Main Brand Management
-
Consulted Mizzen + Main's CMO on customer acquisition for their re-launch of their Chinos product, customer retention for the company in general, and future growth and innovation considerations. Researched high-income business professional travelers, their needs, and their purchasing patterns.
-
American Aadvantage Customer Lifetime Value
-
Analyzed 10,000 American Airlines Aadvantage Member's profile and 2016-2018 flight data to calculate Customer Lifetime Value. Created a linear regression model to predict drivers of CLV to offer strategic and tactical recommendations to American Airlines executives in a formal presentation.
Honors & Awards
-
Clifton Strengths Finder
Gallup
Based on the famed Clifton Strength Finders test, I am a Strategic Thinking leader. "Leaders with great Strategic Thinking strengths are the ones who keep us all focused on what could be. They are constantly absorbing and analyzing information and helping the team make better decisions. People with strength in this domain continually stretch our thinking for the future."
My top five strengths are:
Analytical
"People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons…Based on the famed Clifton Strength Finders test, I am a Strategic Thinking leader. "Leaders with great Strategic Thinking strengths are the ones who keep us all focused on what could be. They are constantly absorbing and analyzing information and helping the team make better decisions. People with strength in this domain continually stretch our thinking for the future."
My top five strengths are:
Analytical
"People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all of the factors that might affect a situation."
Focus
"People exceptionally talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act."
Futuristic
"People exceptionally talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They energize others with their visions of the future."
Competition
"People exceptionally talented in the Competition theme measure their progress against the performance of others. They strive to win first place and revel in contests."
Significance
"People exceptionally talented in the Significance theme want to make a big impact. They are independent and prioritize projects based on how much influence they will have on their organization or people around them." -
Cox Legacy
The Edwin L. Cox Business Leadership Center (BLC)
Open to current Cox Distinguished Business Leaders who have earned 40 BLC credits and have a 3.0+ GPA. A BLC credit is earned through attending graduate-level BLC seminars and programs developed and taught by leading industry professionals and executives. A Cox Distinguished Business Leader holds a leadership role (formal or informal) either at Cox, within their community (non-profit board of directors, church leadership, etc.) or a leadership role at work that isn't a part of their job…
Open to current Cox Distinguished Business Leaders who have earned 40 BLC credits and have a 3.0+ GPA. A BLC credit is earned through attending graduate-level BLC seminars and programs developed and taught by leading industry professionals and executives. A Cox Distinguished Business Leader holds a leadership role (formal or informal) either at Cox, within their community (non-profit board of directors, church leadership, etc.) or a leadership role at work that isn't a part of their job description (ad hoc committee, etc.). They must also demonstrate servant leadership by completing four hours of a community service project.
-
Year One Participant
Investment News
Selected as one of the six new 20-something professionals in the financial advice industry to be featured in a series of articles, videos, and interviews about first year experiences.
-
2014 Runner-Up, Colley Memorial Trophy
Theta Chi Fraternity
Selected as one of three finalists out of 55 total applicants for the Colley Memorial Trophy, naming the Outstanding Undergraduate Leader in the National Fraternity.
-
2012 Greek Man of The Year
University of Arizona
Selected as the Interfraternity Council award winner. This award recognizes graduating seniors who have gone above and beyond to serve and better the Greek Community at the University of Arizona.
-
Eagle Scout
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.
Languages
-
English
Native or bilingual proficiency
-
Spanish
Elementary proficiency
Recommendations received
6 people have recommended Layton
Join now to viewOther similar profiles
Explore more posts
Explore top content on LinkedIn
Find curated posts and insights for relevant topics all in one place.
View top contentOthers named Layton Cox
3 others named Layton Cox are on LinkedIn
See others named Layton Cox