2007: That was the year that was

By Mark Gristock

2007: The year we all went social networking crazy. The year that the corporate takeover came back into fashion, and when shoddy research became the accepted norm.

Many of us have struggled with how to turn social networking and the proliferation of rich media into business advantage this year. I’ve consistently wrestled with the blog problem for most of it. The challenge can best be likened to the retirement of Tim Henman – when you are busy, you don’t have time to keep updating a blog and the interesting things you could say are often confidential. Once you’ve got time on your hands, nothing interesting actually happens and nobody cares what you have to say any more.

You can’t have a discussion about Web 2.0 without talking about Facebook and its new advertising system. Personally I don’t have any interest in how anyone rates me, or what products I like, but then I’m not 16. On the other hand, the people at Facebook seem genuinely pleased with themselves, so I’m sure they understand their audience much better than I do.

This year, the iPhone and Skype mobile arrived and promised to change the way we use mobile. I struggle to see how either innovation will help people to look where they’re going when they’re misspelling every third word, but at least the new options are more attractive and cheaper.

I’ve been to a great number of events and conferences this year, and if I could have one wish for 2008 it’s this. If you are invited to be a keynote speaker, it’s not an excuse to not prepare a presentation, or to take a great deal of time revealing how surprisingly dull your company actually is. Many of your audience have travelled a long way to hear your thoughts. The least you could do is actually have some.

Finally, I was listening to Radio 5 at the weekend, and the hot story was the return of Mrs. Canoe. The report went something like this: “Let’s go to the journalist that’s covering the story. David – what’s the latest?” “Well, according to the Daily Mirror Website…” Proof, if proof be needed, that if you hear it on the Internet it must be true.

And on that note, I’m off to buy a kitten in a jamjar for my mother. I’m sure she’ll be pleased.