The Art of Influence: What We Can Learn from Apple’s Latest Launch

Wednesday isn’t just the midpoint of the week—it’s a pivot point. The energy of the week has already unfolded, but there’s still time to correct course, close deals, and set the tone for Friday’s finish. Executives who treat Wednesday as a recalibration day tend to finish their weeks stronger. It’s the day for:

• Reviewing Progress on Key Initiatives: Take a moment to look at your weekly goals. Are you on track? Is there a client or a project that needs a quick check-in? Use this time to course-correct before it’s too late.
• Making One Bold Decision That Prevents Delay: Don’t let indecision be the anchor holding you back. Today, make one high-impact decision that removes a bottleneck for your team or for yourself.
• Setting the Standard for Your Team So They Close the Week Aligned: A quick team huddle today can make all the difference. Remind everyone of the mission, reinforce key priorities, and make sure everyone is headed in the same direction for a powerful finish.

The Power of Influence

Yesterday, Apple unveiled its new lineup of iPhones, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the new iPhone Air, which is said to be the thinnest iPhone ever made. Pre-orders begin September 12th, with availability later this month.

This announcement, which came with a lot of fanfare and media attention, is a prime example of a company that has mastered the art of influence. They don’t just release a product; they create an event. They don’t just sell a phone; they sell an experience and a lifestyle. As business executives and leaders in the wellness industry, we can learn a lot from their approach.

Wellness First

For Women Executives

• Hormone Balance Reset: Midweek cortisol spikes are common. The pressures of work and life can leave you feeling drained. Try a 15-minute walk outdoors after lunch to regulate stress hormones and boost energy. The fresh air and change of scenery will do wonders for your mental state and metabolic health.
• Menopause Minute: If sleep feels inconsistent, skip alcohol tonight. Even a single glass of wine can disrupt deep REM cycles—essential for memory, mood, and cognitive function. Prioritizing restful sleep is one of the most powerful wellness hacks you can adopt.

 

For Men Executives

• Strength in Small Doses: Perform 3 sets of 12 air squats or push-ups between meetings. Short bursts of strength training increase focus, metabolic health, and can help you feel grounded and powerful amidst a busy schedule.
• Mindset Guard: Replace your afternoon caffeine with a 12-ounce glass of water plus electrolytes. This wards off fatigue without the crash, ensuring your energy levels remain stable and your decision-making stays sharp.

Executive Horoscopes — Business Edition

• Aries — Lead decisively today. People are watching how you reset midweek.
• Taurus — Secure a longer contract instead of chasing a small margin win.
• Gemini — Simplify communication. Repurpose your best message into three channels.
• Cancer — Audit client onboarding. Smooth one friction point this week.
• Leo — Spotlight one success story publicly. Consistency builds recognition.
• Virgo — Reconcile your numbers. Accuracy now saves mistakes later.
• Libra — Design your “ecosystem.” Pair two services for better retention.
• Scorpio — Reconnect with one former client—they’re closer than you think.
• Sagittarius — Announce your next launch date today. Momentum requires a deadline.
• Capricorn — Trim a cost and reallocate to growth. Efficiency is your leverage.
• Aquarius — Pilot a community forum. Dialogue builds your moat.
• Pisces — Clarify your boundaries in writing. Protect your energy to stay sharp.

The Business Corner: Apple’s New Playbook

Yesterday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the new iPhone Air—their thinnest phone yet. But beyond the hardware, Apple gave us a lesson in influence. They don’t just release products. They release expectations. They don’t just sell phones. They sell belonging.

What We Can Apply to Our Practices

• Simplify and Elevate: Apple’s clean design and straightforward messaging are a masterclass in clarity. In our business, this means streamlining our client-facing materials, making our services easy to understand, and highlighting the core benefit first. For example, instead of a list of features for a new wellness program, we lead with the outcome: “Achieve Peak Mental Clarity in 90 Days.”
• Build an Ecosystem: Apple has created a cohesive network where their devices and services work together seamlessly. Similarly, we can create a “wellness ecosystem” for our clients. This could mean a seamless transition from a therapeutic massage to a nutritional consultation with one of our in-house experts. By pairing services, we not only increase client value but also foster long-term loyalty. Think of our center as a one-stop-shop for holistic well-being.
• Create Exclusivity: Apple generates immense excitement by offering a sense of “first-look” and exclusivity. We can replicate this by offering early access to a new service for our most loyal clients, or by creating a members-only program with exclusive perks and discounts. This makes clients feel like they’re part of a special community, not just a transaction.

Why the iPhone 17 is a Smart Buy for Executives

The iPhone 17 is more than just a phone; it’s a productivity and wellness tool for the modern executive. Here’s why it’s a smart purchase:

• Next-Level Performance: The new A19 Pro chip with vapor chamber cooling delivers sustained performance like never before. This means faster app switching, seamless multitasking, and no slowdowns during video calls or data-intensive tasks.
• A Camera System for Professionals: With three 48MP Fusion cameras and up to 8x optical zoom on the Pro models, the iPhone 17 turns your phone into a professional-grade camera. This is perfect for high-quality marketing content, from behind-the-scenes videos to crisp product shots for your social media.
• Enhanced Durability and Display: The new Ceramic Shield 2 offers three times better scratch resistance and four times better resistance to cracks. This is a must-have for the on-the-go executive. The brighter display and the new 120Hz ProMotion on all models, including the standard iPhone 17, make for a smoother, more comfortable viewing experience, even in direct sunlight.

Why Apple Stock (Ticker: AAPL) Belongs in Executive Portfolios

As business owners, we’re not just managing our operations; we’re also building our financial future. Investing in a company like Apple is a strategic decision for several reasons:

• Stability and Growth: AAPL is a “blue chip” stock, a well-established company with a strong track record. It offers a solid blend of stability and consistent growth, making it a reliable cornerstone for any long-term portfolio.
• Diversified Income: Apple’s success isn’t just about its hardware. Its services division, which includes things like the App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud, provides a steady stream of predictable income. This diverse revenue stream makes the company more resilient to market fluctuations.
• Unmatched Customer Loyalty: Once a customer enters the Apple ecosystem, they tend to stay. This high level of customer retention and brand trust adds a layer of resilience to the stock, even during tough economic times. For a business owner, this kind of brand loyalty is something to admire and, in this case, a great reason to invest.

Owning shares of Apple is more than just an investment—it’s aligning with a company that masters influence, scales ecosystems, and sets the pace of innovation.

Midweek Reminder: The Second Act Executive Podcast

Join us tonight for The Second Act Executive on Apple, iHeart, and Spotify.

We’ll be discussing:

• Why Apple’s launch matters for executives beyond tech.
• How to master influence inside your own business.
• The importance of midweek recalibration for sustainable leadership.
• Our Executive Wellness Corner—with practical midweek resets.

📩 Don’t forget to sign up for The Second Act Executive Newsletter at BWellnessCenter.shop for weekly strategy, market insights, and executive wellness delivered to your inbox.

✨ Remember: Wednesday is not the slump—it’s the springboard. Treat today as the reset that carries you into a strong close on Friday.