Ladies and gentlemen, communications and technological trends for your approval.
The future is now! Imagine how this and the spread of Wi-Fi will continue to transform our means for communicating...
In keeping with the futurist theme, here are some thoughts on the future of technology. The author labels this "integrated communications" but for my communications colleagues, think of it more along the lines of integrated enabling technologies. Many of these ideas shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, as we can clearly see how we are headed toward this, today.
If you don't know about sermo.com, get familiar! Its an on-line networking community for physicians to discuss health care trends with one another. They label the site "For Physicians, By Physicians," and its just another example of how social networks are impacting the way in which industry influencers are collaborating and sharing information.
We've all heard about how the makeup of our workforce is going to shift in the coming 5-10 years as baby boomers retire and create a huge need for younger, qualified employees, but how are we preparing this next generation to contribute and succeed? What if their qualifications and aptitudes are substandard? This article takes a look at this potential problem. My take -> first, if this is indeed the case, it will create an increased bidding process for the highly talented bunch within that generation (supply and demand) and second, a shift in the thinking may develop around what are the most essential and necessary skill sets for business. You will always need "do-ers" as it were, but how and what you "do" most certainly will have to change.
If you don't read any of the above posts, please read this one ->"The Future of Social Media" by Chris Heuer. Let it sit, digest it, and offer your thoughts. I myself have read it three times and I am still processing it. I'd be very interested in getting the take on this from a few experts in the social media area.
Finally, we close with blogging coverage (ironic?) of the Edelman/Walmart blogging fiasco. I know that I plan to use this example when talking to my mentees about truth, ethics and transparency in our profession.
Quick links (to be discussed in the future posting):
http://www.womma.org/ethics.htm
http://secondlife.com/
http://www.isrinsight.com/pdf/media/2006engagement.pdf
Yes, as a matter of fact I was at a recent Edelman conference and asked a number of the folks there about their take on the Walmart situation. They were rather vague about the entire thing but acknowledged that there were definitely some things that they should have/could have done better (I know I'm being cryptic here). A few of my other colleagues and I have talked about how this is just, plain poor PR. I was also encouraged to take a look at Steve Rubel's blog, to see his take on the whole situation. Folks should take a moment to do that when they get a chance.
Posted by: Matthew | November 15, 2006 at 05:46 AM
WOW - The whole blog fiasco with Edleman and Walmart..A word of advice for Edelman - How about you take a look at what's happening in your own house before "spouting off" about what people should or should not do. Walmart makes PR mistakes and it's expected, but Edelman is supposed to help its client avoid such pitfalls not create them...
Matt, have you read the latest post on Walmarting across america.com? Absolutely hilarious. Talk about trying to cover one's tracks. Better yet, did you have the opportunity to read Mr. Richard Edelman's blog...does he really expect us to believe that he was waiting to hear all of the facts? I truly expected a little more from someone who preaches about ethics in the social media, but hey, what are you going to do???
Posted by: Kim Matthews | November 10, 2006 at 01:17 PM