Diageo, the world’s largest spirits company, has appointed former Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis as its new CEO, ending months of speculation over who would take the helm amid mounting investor pressure to revive the group’s declining fortunes.

Lewis, 60, will officially join the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness beer in January 2026, succeeding interim chief executive Nik Jhangiani, who will return to his role as chief financial officer. The announcement triggered an immediate market reaction, with Diageo shares jumping nearly 8% on Monday — a rare boost for a stock that has lost roughly 27% of its value this year and remains near decade lows.

The appointment follows a turbulent period for Diageo, which recently downgraded its sales and profit forecast for fiscal 2026. The group has been grappling with rising tariffs in the United States — its largest market — a shifting consumer trend away from alcohol among younger generations, and a heavy debt load that reached $21.9 billion as of June.

Credit rating agency Fitch downgraded Diageo’s long-term outlook to “negative” in September, citing high leverage and ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade and tariffs.

A Reputation for Turnarounds

Lewis earned the nickname “Drastic Dave” during his decades-long career for his ability to turn around struggling businesses through bold restructuring, cost-cutting, and sharp marketing strategy.

As CEO of Tesco from 2014 to 2020, Lewis inherited a supermarket giant rocked by an accounting scandal that wiped billions off its value. By 2018, he had restored Tesco’s profitability, regained its market leadership, and simplified operations by streamlining product lines, improving relationships with suppliers, and lowering prices.

Before Tesco, Lewis spent over 30 years at Unilever, where he built a reputation as a strategic brand manager known for blending commercial discipline with creative marketing.

“Dave Lewis is unusual in combining a deep understanding of brands with objectivity, pace and grit,” Reuters quoted a former Tesco executive who worked closely with him as saying. “Not many sector leaders could have turned Tesco around, but Lewis did.”

Analysts welcomed Diageo’s decision to bring in an external leader. “We think this is a good move,” said James Edwardes Jones of RBC Capital Markets, calling Lewis’ appointment a “pleasant surprise.”

Kai Lehmann, senior analyst at Flossbach von Storch — a top 20 Diageo shareholder — described Lewis as an ideal fit.

“It may not require drastic change at Diageo, but the brands’ appeal needs to be revitalized at a time when the industry is facing structural headwinds,” Lehmann said.

A Company in Transition

Lewis’ arrival marks a pivotal moment for Diageo, which has faced leadership instability and sluggish performance since the death of longtime CEO Ivan Menezes in 2023. Menezes’ tenure saw Diageo thrive on post-pandemic premiumization trends as consumers splurged on spirits like Don Julio tequila and Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

His successor, Debra Crew, struggled to sustain that momentum amid softening demand in key markets, particularly in North America. Crew’s abrupt departure earlier this year left Jhangiani as interim CEO, while Diageo searched for a long-term leader capable of navigating a more challenging environment.

The company’s challenges go beyond shifting consumer habits. Analysts say Diageo must also address its exposure to volatile emerging markets, where currency depreciation and inflation are squeezing profits. At the same time, the company faces pressure to deleverage its balance sheet and adapt to a younger, health-conscious consumer base increasingly turning to low- and no-alcohol beverages.

Lewis’ Task Ahead

Lewis, who was knighted in 2021 for his services to business, also served briefly as the UK government’s supply chain adviser during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to stabilize essential goods distribution during widespread disruption, according to Reuters.

He currently serves as chair of consumer healthcare group Haleon, a position he will step down from at the end of the year to take up the Diageo role.

In his first statement as CEO-designate, Lewis signaled optimism but acknowledged the challenges ahead.

“The market faces some headwinds, but there are also significant opportunities. I look forward to working with the team to face these challenges and realize some of the opportunities in a way which creates shareholder value,” he said.

Investors are hoping that Lewis’ track record of decisive leadership and operational discipline will restore Diageo’s growth trajectory. His priority, analysts say, will likely include cutting costs, streamlining operations, refocusing marketing on key global brands, and possibly divesting underperforming assets to reduce leverage.

If his Tesco turnaround is any indication, Diageo may soon see the same playbook of efficiency, brand revitalization, and pragmatic restructuring that earned him his “Drastic Dave” nickname — a reputation that could prove vital as the world’s largest spirits maker tries to reclaim its lost sparkle.

The crypto market is in a stage of structural rotation—after years of blue-chip dominance, investors are increasingly hunting for high-utility projects with early-stage entry points. Furthermore, while major tokens continue to climb, the next wave of 100x opportunities may lie in the lower tiers of utility blockchain meets smart innovation. Furthermore, Enter Ozak AI ($OZ)—a presale project that’s already raised over $4.24 million and trades at just $0.012, putting it on the radar as a potential generational play.

BNB (Binance Coin) Snapshot

The native token of the Binance ecosystem, BNB, currently trades around $1,114, boasts a market capitalization in the ballpark of $153.52 billion, and sees daily trading volume over $4 billion. Furthermore, BNB’s utility as a fee-token, platform incentive, and launchpad sees it firmly positioned, but at this scale, the room for exponential returns is comparatively limited.

Ozak AI— Blockchain + AI Fusion at a Ground Floor Entry

Ozak AI is a next-generation project built around the idea of integrating advanced computing systems, predictive analytics, and autonomous trading systems into blockchain infrastructure. Furthermore, its design targets new narratives: real-time decision engines, information-driven automation across DeFi and Web3, and tokenized value tied to usage rather than hype. Furthermore, the presale is currently in Phase 6, with over $4.24 million raised and 986 million tokens sold, all priced at $0.012 per token.

Token Allocation

To support growth while protecting early entrants, Ozak AI’s tokenomics are structured as follows:

• 30% – presale & public sale
• 20% – ecosystem and community development
• 20% – future reserve
• 10% – liquidity and listings
• 10% – team

This transparency and allocation model suggests the project is built for sustained value rather than short-term speculation.

Strategic Partnerships Fueling Utility

Ozak AI’s momentum is backed by meaningful partnerships that bring tangible utility. Integrating Ozak AI’s prediction agents with Dex3’s on-chain intelligence platform unlocks advanced market forecasting, automated workflows, and cross-community information sharing. One-click smart innovation upgrades and voice-activated execution via SINT plug-ins transform Ozak’s signals into actionable, autonomous systems bridging Web2 and Web3.

With 1,600+ price feeds, sub-second latency, and coverage across 100+ blockchains, Pyth Networks feeds Ozak AI’s agents with high-fidelity information—enhancing accuracy and reliability of predictions. These collaborations lay the foundation for Ozak’s token to be used actively, which is key to upside potential.

Conclusion

BNB at $1,114 remains a strong, established asset—but its scale limits upside from here. Furthermore, Ozak AI, trading at just $0.012, backed by smart tokenomics, real-world utility, and meaningful partnerships, represents one of the rare opportunities where the math still favors 100×-plus potential. Furthermore, for investors hunting the next big breakout, Ozak AI’s presale performance and infrastructure signal that the next wave of gains could lie not with the giants, but with the new challengers.

For more information about Ozak AI, visit the links below:

Website: https://ozak.ai/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/OzakAGI

Telegram: https://t.me/OzakAGI

In the ever-shifting world of cryptocurrency, traditional Layer 1s such as Solana (SOL) remain formidable infrastructure plays, yet the hunt for explosive short-term returns has increasingly shifted to lower-priced, high-volatility tokens. One project capturing attention is Little Pepe (LILPEPE), currently in its presale phase at approximately $0.0022 per token, compelling major investors and “whales” to amass sizable positions ahead of potential listings and parabolic price moves. The presale has already raised over $27.4 million and sold over 16.6 billion tokens across all stages. With 2025 racing to its end, Little Pepe is attracting Solana Whales, targeting a quick 4,500% profit before the year runs out.

Little Pepe (LILPEPE): From Meme Culture to Utility Infrastructure

At first glance, Little Pepe appears to fit the familiar mold of meme-coins that only ride community momentum. Yet it distinguishes itself via its Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 meme ecosystem designed to deliver fast, low-fee transactions. The token’s architecture includes a zero-tax trading model, staking and rewards mechanisms, and a planned launchpad for new meme tokens, signalling that the team intends to move beyond hype into structural growth.  From a tokenomics standpoint, the total supply is pegged at 100 billion LILPEPE, with a significant portion allocated to presale purchasers and ecosystem rewards, building scarcity into the model as tokens are sold stage by stage. Such layering of design, meme culture meets chain architecture, addresses a key investor question: can a token go beyond “just funny” to build long-term value?

Why Solana (SOL) Investors Are Looking Elsewhere

Solana has established itself as a robust Layer 1 solution, with strong DeFi and NFT ecosystems, high throughput, and institutional interest. But in terms of short-term upside, say 1,000%+, many investors are turning their attention to smaller-cap tokens where entry is early, supply constraints are more acute, and narrative momentum is building rapidly. A token trading at $0.0022 with presale momentum represents a fundamentally different risk-reward profile than chasing SOL at multi-dollar levels.

In this light, SOL investors looking to rotate some capital into high-beta opportunities may find Little Pepe’s combination of cheap entry, viral branding, and infrastructure promises more aligned with “moonshot” upside. The presale price staging mechanism, where price increases as fewer tokens remain, adds a built-in scarcity dynamic that can magnify gains.

Targeting a 4,500% Move: How Realistic?

With the token priced around $0.0022 and with projections referencing eventual value multiples, the concept of 4,500% (i.e., 45x) gains is not purely speculative. If Little Pepe lists at, for example, $0.10, that would equate to 45x. The narrative around listing prices is more conservative (many cite US$0.003 or higher), but the “best-case” modelling for meme tokens can go far beyond listing levels if viral momentum, scarcity, and utility converge.

The logic for this potential rests on a few pillars: one, the presale selling out quickly (which signals demand). For example, one stage sold out ahead of schedule. Two, the project’s promise of utility and architecture gives the model staying power beyond hype. Three, the token’s entry price is extremely low, offering a wide runway for appreciation, as opposed to mature tokens where much upside is already priced in. When whales begin building positions under such parameters, the implied statement is: “the risk-reward is skewed heavily in favour of reward.” It’s not a guarantee, of course, but the conditions for outsized gains are present.

Final Takeaway

For investors coming from a Solana mindset, focused on infrastructure, ecosystem growth, and long-term thesis, shifting a portion of capital into a high-beta opportunity like Little Pepe may represent a calculated rotation. The token’s entry price, presale progress, utility narrative, and scarcity setup all point toward a potential 4,500% upside scenario in the event of a strong listing and subsequent pump. Conclusively, the thesis for Little Pepe is built on “cheap entry + building narrative + community momentum + utility promise”. For investors willing to accept the risk and target outsized returns, the position being built now may look like what whales see, and the 4,500% target may not be fanciful, just assuming everything aligns in the coming months.

For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below:

Website: https://littlepepe.com

Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf

Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken

Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

$777k Giveaway: https://littlepepe.com/777k-giveaway/

Are you looking for the best tips on how to run a more efficient business?

You probably guessed it by now, but that’s not going to happen by just “trying harder”. The key to a smooth running business is getting the right technology consulting services. Bonus: 95% of tech buyers report that they are planning to increase their digital tech investment over the next 18 months.

We’re talking major business transformation here.

Technology consulting services are fast becoming a core part of how every business can be more efficient. They have the know-how to help you lower your costs, get more out of your team, and get a leg up on the competition who are still stuck in outdated ways of doing things.

Here’s the catch: Most businesses have no idea where to start.

In this article you’ll discover:

• Why Technology Consulting Services Are Necessary
• The Real Benefits Of Streamlining Operations
• Advanced Techniques That Actually Work
• Choosing The Right Technology Consulting Partner

Why Technology Consulting Services Are Necessary

Technology consulting is more than just installing new software and calling it a day.

It’s about rethinking the way your entire business works. When you hire experienced technology consulting services like Bravo Team, you are getting access to a team of experts who know both technology and business strategy. They see the blind spots in your operations and know how to fix them.

Your team is already working hard to manage day-to-day operations. Do you really want them adding technology implementation on top of that? The results won’t be good.

Leave it to the professionals instead.

The Real Benefits Of Streamlining Operations

Let’s get real for a moment.

What does it actually mean to get operations right? Everything. Squeezed. Stops. The constant time sink of manual tasks, operations headache and team stress can all come to a halt with expert help.

Imagine a business where your team is working on what really matters – innovating, growing your customer base and adding value for your clients. Where your team isn’t bogged down with low-value work.

We all know this is how things should be, but in reality most businesses struggle to achieve it.

Businesses that have worked with technology consulting services are already seeing big gains in productivity. Experts report an increase of up to 30% in business productivity – and that’s with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Real-life examples of streamlined operations include:

• Automated workflows that take care of repetitive data entry
• Integrated systems that “talk to each other” without manual intervention
• Real-time analytics and reporting that make better decision-making possible
• Lower operating costs throughout the business.

Pretty sweet, right?

Advanced Techniques That Actually Work

I can see you on the edge of your seat, so let me show you the techniques that separate winners from losers.

Process Automation

The big one. This is where you stop your team from wasting time on all those repetitive tasks. Data entry, report generation, customer follow-ups – these are all done automatically, while your team is free to do high-value work.

Automation is not one-size-fits-all. It has to be designed specifically to fit your business processes. Good consultants know how to identify opportunities for automation that actually make sense.

Cloud Integration

Moving to the cloud isn’t just trendy – it’s a must these days. It gives you flexibility, scalability, and access to your business anywhere. Your team can collaborate in real-time, your data is secure, and you are no longer paying huge amounts for on-premises servers.

The technology consulting market is expected to reach $421 billion by 2025, with cloud services being a major growth driver.

Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

Here’s a secret that many business owners are not aware of: You’re sitting on a goldmine of data. The only problem? You have no idea how to use it.

Data analytics turn raw data into actionable insights. You can anticipate trends, know exactly what your customers are looking for, and make data-driven decisions instead of relying on gut instinct.

System Integration

This is a biggie. A huge number of businesses are running on multiple systems that don’t communicate with each other. Your accounting software doesn’t “talk” to your CRM system. Your inventory is a separate world. Nightmare.

System integration creates a unified system where everything is connected. Data flows freely between platforms, which eliminates duplicate data entry and the errors that come with it.

Choosing The Right Technology Consulting Partner

Do you know what the biggest mistake is?

Businesses who pick the cheapest option or the first person who replies to an email. This is like choosing a surgeon based on who has the flashiest billboard.

Instead, look at these traits instead:

Industry Experience

Your consultant should have a deep understanding of your specific industry. They need to be familiar with the challenges you face, the regulations you need to deal with and the competitive landscape.

Proven Track Record

Ask to see case studies, references and real-world examples of other businesses they’ve helped. No “here’s what we claim we can do” – only actual results.

Strategic Thinking

The very best consultants will not just implement technology. They work with you to develop a holistic strategy that aligns with your overall business goals. They focus on the long-term, rather than the next quick fix.

The Implementation Process That Works

Let me walk you through the steps of a successful technology consulting engagement.

Step 1: Assessment

Your consultant will do a deep dive into your current operations. They will identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and hidden opportunities that even you may not be aware of.

Step 2: Strategy Development

A custom strategy roadmap is created that is tailored specifically to your business needs. This takes into account your budget, timeline and business goals. It’s not one-size-fits-all but custom-built for you.

Step 3: Implementation

The actual tech implementation work happens in this phase. Your consultant does the technical work and keeps everything running smoothly.

Step 4: Training & Support

Your team is trained to use the new systems and processes, and ongoing support is provided to keep things humming along nicely.

That’s really how it works with the right team. It’s that simple.

The Challenges You Can Expect

Truth time: Implementing technology is not always a breeze.

Expect resistance from team members who like the way things used to be. Expect some technical glitches. Expect budget overruns.

Successful companies are different because they communicate clearly to their team about why things need to change. They choose consultants who specialize in change management. They stay flexible and adapt their approach as needed.

The companies that struggle? They try to rush the process, skip the training and expect things to just work overnight.

Please don’t be that company.

Measuring Your Success

So how do you know if all the time and money you spent on technology consulting was actually worth it?

Look at metrics like how much time you are saving on manual tasks, reduction in operation costs, increase in customer satisfaction, improvement in employee productivity and other key performance indicators (KPIs).

Set your benchmarks before you start the implementation process, and then track these things regularly. This way you have hard data that shows exactly where you are succeeding, and where you may need to pivot.

Wrapping Things Up

Streamlining operations with advanced technology consulting techniques is no longer optional. It is mandatory if you want to remain competitive.

The businesses that are thriving are the ones that are embracing technology consulting and using it strategically to improve their operations. They partner with experienced experts who know both technology and business strategy.

The results are clear: Lower costs, higher productivity, happier customers, and more time to focus on growth.

It’s an investment, yes. But one that will pay for itself many times over when done correctly.

Can you really afford not to invest in technology consulting?