Prediction #1

Reviews are going to be the key to business survival.

Ok, survival is over-dramatizing a bit; but it is going to be another important tool in your business toolbox.  I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I don’t hire a service person and don’t even purchase a product (from a toy helicopter to a new tech device) without reading the reviews.  Websites are still going to be needed and the top dogs are going to be able to pay top money to have custom application developers and SEO analysts on staff, but the power is in the hands of the people.  Social Media is still going to be another large tool in your toolbox, and we’re going to have to play smarter. But…it’s been proven time and time again that we value our peers’ and friends’ opinions when making purchases, just ask Amazon.com (who is also the king of upsell and bundling).

Prediction #2

Everyone will need some sort of video presence.

Again, the big guys with the deeper pockets will be able to hire the professionals to create whiz bang boom video production, but nonetheless, we, as consumers are looking for the visual message your company portrays.  Marketing professionals will be on the rise to create that message and small businesses will recognize the value of the local small business videographer/producer.

Aside:  You will notice in many of my posts that I am an avid supporter of hiring locally even for stuff that I know how to do.  Yes, I highly applaud the business owner who takes control of the Social Media messages / responses and the lawyer who wants to create his own website because he’s been burned before, but…  there comes a time when we need to step back as the visionary and hire others to take the console.  The captain should always have an idea of what’s going on, but learns to delegate, train and trust colleagues to get the ship safely to port.

Bon Voyage 2012!