As we close out the year some predictions and recommendations for 2015…
#1: Consolidation will increase especially in the smaller markets. Even though SMB is the motor of the economy, there are way too many agencies in small markets. And whilst the larger network agencies will continue to close their doors in smaller markets, especially where one network has more than one shop, the small local agencies are going to find the pickings tough as well. Specialize, combine forces…consolidate to give clients one-stop shopping but true integrated thinking.
#2: The internet is out there – please do your homework. Most job seekers will know that it is wise to research the company you are applying to or interviewing with, but how about researching the other people at the table? Business meetings, new business, interviews – look up the people you are speaking to and know a bit more about them. Think that it just shows professional courtesy. Nothing is more off-putting than people expecting a man or starting a conversation with ‘who are you and why am I speaking to you?”.
#3: Plain speak will rise again. Whilst I would also love to say that people will rediscover proper grammar and spelling that may be a bit too far in the future…but I think that as we continue internationalizing people will finally start using regular plain words instead of flowering discussions up with jargon. Why? Because they will discover that it helps prevent confusion and promote efficiency.
#4: The cloud is here – embrace it but don’t be too interwebs only. Now that large corporations are finally embracing the cloud, however most people still work in cubicles from 9 to 5 – please don’t think in marketing that all people simple Google it. Not only do large numbers of people on this planet still have not internet access – even 1st world people don’t use the internet as we think they do.
Have a fantastic 2015 and may your work/life balance balance.