As a child growing up in Newcastle, we didn't have a lot in terms of material possessions but what we did have, we treasured.
One of my all-time favourite things was a battered old pack of Top Trumps cards. If you remember it, you’ll know the thrill: warships, fighter jets, supercars – all battling it out, one stat at a time.
In a household where luxury was rare, those evenings huddled together, arguing over whether an F-14 Tomcat could outgun a Tornado (it could, and I had the card to prove it) were pure gold. Top Trumps was a wonderful blend of luck and skill – sure, you had to have the right card at the right moment, but you also needed to know when to play your strongest hand, and when to bluff and hope.
Fast-forward a few decades, and it seems another player is treating the world stage like a giant game of Top Trumps – a man whose very name seems destined for it: Donald Trump.
Over the past few years, we’ve watched Trump (and others following his lead) trying to ‘trump’ rivals with tariffs, trade wars, and an almost playground-like game of brinkmanship. In the world of international trade, it’s no longer enough to have the best products or the most efficient supply chains; now it’s about flexing muscles and slapping down the “biggest” numbers, whether that’s 25% tariffs on steel or billions in retaliatory measures.
According to the World Bank, global trade growth slowed to just 0.8% in 2023, compared to the historical average of 3.4%. Meanwhile, the IMF reports that global GDP growth for 2024 is forecast at a modest 3.1% – hardly the roaring twenties we might have hoped for post-pandemic. Trade uncertainty alone has shaved up to 1% off global growth, meaning that all this tit-for-tat tariff action isn’t just political theatre – it’s impacting jobs, businesses, and families.
In a world that feels increasingly dominated by chest-thumping and tarifftrading, you might ask: where’s the real Top Trump?
For me, the answer is simple: Innovation.
While others are busy trying to outgun each other with brute force, the most forwardthinking businesses are quietly reshuffling the deck, crafting entirely new ways to play. Through my work in Business Model Innovation, I’ve been helping companies not just react to the changing world – but shape it.
Whether it’s small SMEs pivoting to new markets, or larger organisations reimagining their value propositions, those who embrace innovation aren’t just winning more rounds – they’re changing the rules altogether.
Business Model Innovation is the real ace in the pack. It’s about understanding that today’s competitive advantage isn’t found by slapping on a few tariffs or shouting the loudest. It’s about deep, strategic creativity: seeing how technologies, markets, and customer behaviours are shifting and then designing your model not just to survive but thrive.
One example? Companies that adopted servitisation models (selling services rather than just products) grew five times faster than traditional manufacturers during the last economic slowdown. Another? Businesses that integrated sustainability into their core offering outperformed their peers by over 20% in stock market returns.
Innovation isn’t luck. It’s not about waiting for the right card to fall into your hand. It’s about deliberately building the strongest deck you can – thinking smarter, acting faster, and daring to imagine a different kind of future.
Looking back, those childhood games of Top Trumps taught me more than I realised. Yes, a bit of luck helps. Yes, sometimes you win just by having the right card at the right moment. But in the end, it’s the players who knew their strengths, who thought a few steps ahead, who really triumphed.
Today, whether you’re in business, politics, or playing on the global stage, the same lesson holds true. And if you ask me, it’s not about having the fastest car or the biggest battleship anymore.
It’s about having the sharpest mind, the boldest ideas, and the most innovative spirit – because when it comes to the real Top Trumps of the future, Innovation will always beat bravado.
Ammar Mirza CBE is Chair & Founder of Asian Business Connexions, Executive Chair of the AmmarM Group, Honorary Colonel of 101 Regiment RA and holds various positions across the public and private sectors with a deep interest in Inclusion, Innovation and Internationalisation.