The Future Of Business – Social Is A Feature Not A Platform
There is a technology cycle working in the background while the rest of the world is distracted with and by Social Media. I have shared with you in the past that Social Media is not the future of business, at best it will be a feature, not a platform. If you study technology at a deep level you’re probably unaware of the tide changing or shifting might be a better word. Something much bigger than Social Media is brewing and you should pay attention, because the tidal wave of change will knock you over and sweep you out of it’s way.
The social component is merely the doorway to engagement, but we are headed for a much deeper kind of engagement. It might surprise you when I say that Microsoft Windows is dying, Google may loose it’s stranglehold on search in the next few years.
Windows is suffering, it has gone from 96% to less than 50% market share, and soon will be 30%, this means the Desktop era has passed us by. The reason, SmartPhones. These devices have all but made us forget about Windows Operating Systems for the most part, don’t be surprised to learn that Windows 8 (Due out in 2012) might be the last big push for a Desktop Platform by Microsoft.
Index search has peaked, Google, like Microsoft, have many other ways to be a player in the new technology cycle, but not doing what they are doing today. Not with Index Search, and not with the desktop, the mobile marketplace is doing both of these things better and seamlessly, they’re not separate things you have to do anymore.
The big craze today and in the next few years will reshape the Internet, Apps, HTML 5 and Tablets, they have already set the pace for a new frontier. But if we must talk social, let me share this, if you are an investor or a developer, and a business owner, consider building on top of FaceBook, no one can catch up with them, no one. The same can be said of Apple’s iPad, and Apple’s financial structure, no one can catchup with them, they are the current leader with FaceBook. FaceBook IS the new Windows!
Social Media is not the future of business, it’s a side show, Roger McNamee is quoted as saying about Social Media, “This is not the mania you are looking for”.
The future of business is mobile and social, FaceBook is the new windows, HTML 5 allows all of us to participate, Apps and Tablets are the tools we will use to move products and services. Most of what we manually do today will be fully automated, like search, it’s just a matter of time. The real issue, how does your business leverage this new technology cycle, I think the first step is to open your mind to new better ways of being in business, the world has yet to arrive in the digital realm, are you ready?
Being Social alone is not enough to participate in the Future Of Business.
Related articles
- The Future Of Business Workshop – In Abbotsford (openandfreebusinessmodel.com)
- The Future Of Business – Fight Off The Mainstream Media & Big Business (owengreaves.com)
- Roger McNamee On HTML5 And The Future of The Web (adpulp.com)
- Three biggest myths of social media (sherrilynnestarkie.com)
- Microsoft outlines plans to deliver Windows 8 versions of its embedded products (zdnet.com)
The Future Of Business – Fight Off The Mainstream Media & Big Business
Here at owengreaves.com I have my own voice, I talk about other people’s work, I even applaud them, but I try to give you my voice, even if I agree with the others I promote. Even if there is a guest post, if you know me, you know what I like and what I am looking for. The truth is, most bloggers don’t create, they borrow, they beg, and even steal, it’s like they don’t have an original thought of their own.
Let me give you an example of what’s bothering me, and why I’m writing this blog post. I will write in general terms, because I know you’re not all guilty.
I read 200 – 400 pieces a day, not everyday, but most days, I read these pieces in Google Reader. Yep, I follow many of you, your RSS feeds, and something has been happening out there that has lead me to believe, that either you don’t have an original thought of your own, or you have been sucked in by mainstream media & big business.
Since Steve jobs passed away, all everyone writes about is Steve Jobs! Most of you never met him, but you write about him like you did. And frankly, it shows a lack of respect when you do this, you are merely drawing attention to yourself. Most likely for the wrong reasons. I mean no disrespect for Mr. Jobs, but come on people.
Another consistent thing that happens, and this really gets me going, we write about social networks, we compare them, we complain about them, and we keep score like we have some input or control over these free services. How did that happen, how is it that we actually believe we own these networks, because we use them? We don’t run them, if we did, things would be different now wouldn’t they.
It seems to be a waste of time in my humble opinion, I’m being sucker punched by writing this, the mainstream has sucked me in, and now I’m giving it my attention! The HELL! I would rather we all paid more attention to our businesses as if we cared about the betterment of mankind. All this technology is not all that important that it consumes our writing too, or is it?
So what’s my point? I could easily tell you to go read everything written by Seth Godin, that most likely would be enough. The truth is, I
want you to fight off mainstream media and big mainstream business, and have an original thought of your own. As Seth said, GO! Let’s hear your voice, let’s hear your story, not the regurgitation of everyone else’s version of something they most likely no nothing about.
The Future Of Business will not change until the behaviour changes first, but only you can do that, only you can do it, how? Speak, your own voice, write your own voice, share things that matter to you, that are real and in your face issues. Just remixing someone else’s version is not your voice, it’s just another way of gaming the system. There’s no integrity in that, be heard, share your feelings, share your story, and let the world know who you are. Show us all that you are a real person, and you have a powerful story to tell, one from your side of the table, that no one else could write or share.
So I beg you, fight off Mainstream Media, Mainstream BIG Business, don’t let them draw you in, stand strong and let your voice be heard, GO and make a difference, GO and change your world. Maybe even change mine, because you shared all that you could share. In fact, write a book!
Try to visualize how you want your business to be, to interact with consumers, how you listen to them, even visualize the lifestyle you want to have, right down to how many hours a day you actually want to work. Is the path you’re on today taking you there, are you telling anyone about your vision, are you taking the right steps to be that business of your future. If so, carry on. If not, STOP and make a new plan, but share your vision, and let’s here your voice.
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Update From Owen Greaves
Forgive my abscence in posting this past week or so, I request that you keep us in your prayers as my father-In-Law passed away Nov 3rd at 8:15AM. The family is currently preparing a service, and I am serving where ever they need me.
I apreciate your patience and understanding, I will be posting more of my findings and rants soon.
Many Blessings,
Owen Greaves
The Future Of Business – Could You Imagine A World Without Bosses?
The University of Phoenix has a video series on YouTube called The Phoenix Lecture Series, some very interesting points of view on multiple topics for you to consider, much of it is about change, taking you out of your comfort zone. Here is a short chat that caught my attention, it makes you think about what we have and what the future of people will demand.
Does this talk make you feel uncomfortable, sick to your stomach, or does it get you excited?
Enjoy but truly think about what the speaker is suggesting.
What say you?
Related articles
- The Future Of Business Workshop – In Abbotsford (openandfreebusinessmodel.com)
- Building a job vs. building a business (sethgodin.typepad.com)
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- The Future Of Business – Means Multiple Revenue Streams (owengreaves.com)
- The Future Of Business – Be Useful (owengreaves.com)
The Future Of Business – Payfirma Mobile Payments On The Go
I had posted a link on the Twitter on online Payment technology, particularly swipe format. I sarcastically said, it will take 18 months before Canada gets this or even wants to embrace it. You see, in Canada we are very slow in adopting new technology, heck, even new songs that breakout in L.A. take 6 months before we get the groove. Anyway, I got a response back from someone, he recommended I watch this video. I took a quick look and responded back to him on twitter, I’ve seen this before, it’s cool, but do you have anything in the works for Android?
Let me backup a bit, the person who hailed me on The Twitter was @KalleRadage , I hope I’m not stepping out of line here : ) He works with a company called Payfirma, you probably have heard of it, if not, this should be news to you. What does Payfirma do?
“Payfirma is Canada’s true all-inclusive payment processor, providing a full-range of Credit Card, Mobile Payment, eCommerce and Integrated Point-Of-Sale Solutions.”
That should get you started, but let’s watch the video and then you iPhone freaks should get real excited here in Canada!
Well, what do you think? I’m hoping they work on something for my Android, the truth is, as cool as this looks, it needs to be easier in my humble opinion. Security is always an issue, and I’m not even going to attempt covering that topic here.
The Future Of Business will be Social & Mobile, this is part of the mobile aspect where we all will live in the coming months. So Payfirma, you are on the right track, I am really interested in your progress, and I’m most especially interested in your work for the open systems like Android.
By the way, Payfirma has already released the BlackBerry Mobile Payment App! : )
So how would we recommend this be easier to use? Any ideas?
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- Mobile Payment Reader Square Coming to Wal-Mart (mashable.com)
- Cellphone-wielding customers are changing the selling game (cbc.ca)





