Catching the Next Big Wave

Social Media

A close friend of mine called me and said, “the next big thing will be social media.” ‘Having joined and used sites like Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter for some time I agreed. David Letterman made the comment a couple of weeks ago that Twitter is just another time waster. A common refrain from people of our generation, that is Dave and I. Only a few years back our age cohort thought the Internet was a fad, and, and well you get the point.

Just a year or two back John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, forecast that collaboration would be the next big thing.  This very week Jim Cramer the reborn stock broker cum broadcaster announced his view that the next big thing would be the mobile Internet. Below are a few comments for now. Please send me your views. Why did I title this the next big wave instead of big thing. Google has been changing the game, the advertising game, the email game, and now is changing the communication/collaboration game with it’s latest Google Wave. To see your future take a look at the introduction video here.

http://wave.google.com/

Note:  For a brilliant, clear, simple English overview and explanation of social media go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE
For how Ford is making money using social media click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j4yzfC6ijY and Ford’s CEO, Alan Mulally, on Twitter:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaaKNcovfdQ&feature=related

Collaboration

Technology has developed along several fronts to enable teams to collaborate – to work together – apart! John Chamber put Cisco’s money in front of his forecast and purchased WebEX. IBM followed suit with their acquisition of Web Dialog and AT&T’s acquisition of Interwise, well, again you have the idea. Remembering back a couple of decades when IBM entered Apple’s world and launched the new PC world. These giants all leaping on the collaboration platform suggests the collaboration train is shouting, “All aboard.” You should pay close attention. Why?  China is now the world’s largest English speaking country. See my Era of Collaboration blog and see how global this trend has become.

Note:  If you are interested in seeing how live collaboration editing really works behind the scene take a look here at how Google does it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ykZYKCK7AM&feature=channel You will learn how Google has overcome watching and waiting while someone types an Instant Message, IM.

Mobile Internet

Oprah a little over a year ago spurred on the Blackberry when she gushed like a school girl over her Blackberry telling millions they just had to have one. Apple’s recent price reduction launching a $99 iPhone and Palm’s new Pre are all driving forces among many others making Nokia’s mobile life campaign a few years back today’s reality.

Note:  For Intel’s view of the mobile Internet click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFxIqOAeIv8
For Clearwire/Cisco’s view click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx1TAcm72hQ

Since drafting this blog the US State Department asked Twitter to help them with communications from Iran. The social media world has now intersected with the real world and the political world in a profound and unintended way.  Yes, I truly believe my friend, Abraham is on to something. Social media is the next big thing.

Posted in Global Technologies | 3 Comments »