When I woke up this morning, I found my brain thinking (without me, apparently) about way back in the 90s. Do you remember when web pages really were static? When it was all html? Do you remember the debates about whether or not companies like General Motors even *needed* a website? (For all of you youngsters out there, there was a point in time where big companies did not believe they needed a website.) Do you remember people finally saying that having a website as a business was like “being listed in the yellow pages”….I mean, SERIOUSLY – do you remember how stupid and crazy it all sounded?
No one could’ve seen coming what we’ve got today. Dynamic, feed-driven, real-time, distributed, AMAZING web-based tools.
But here’s the thing: in ten years, the stuff we’ve got today is going to look as *silly* as the idea that GM might not even need a website. Truly. Bank on it.
And I’m willing to bet that the next 10 years will be an even *bigger* upheaval in the corporation (specifically, in the IT “department”) than the last 10 years. Hell, the last ten years aren’t gonna look like *jack* compared to the coming ten years. There might not even *be* an “IT department” in ten years.
Case studies won’t help you here, my friend — you’ve entered the zone of the unknowable future.
But there’s good news (insert famous quote) – the future is here, it’s just unevenly distributed. In other words, you can find hints, rhymes, tips, and winks. Oh, they’re out there. Clues to your very survival.
All you need do is surround yourself with amazing ideas, interactions, conversations. All you need do is break the bay area echo chamber. All you need to do is make sure that your voice is contributing to this future that we’re all already building.
Now *where*, I wonder, might you be able to do that?
(Cross-posted @ Defrag)
