I had the opportunity earlier this week to participate in a panel discussing the future of the social web at a Society For New Communications Research (SNCR) event hosted by SAP.
Forrester's Jeremiah Owyang was the star attraction and he presented the results from his recently completed study on this topic, appropriately called The Future of the Social Web. Also joining us was the well known social media blogger, SNCR Senior Fellow and communications expert, Mike Manual from Voce Communications.
Jeremiah's presentation was a fascinating look at the growing role online social relationships and social media are playing. His 5 year forecast is quite aggressive and suggests substantial changes in how consumers and businesses will use the web in the coming years.
According the Owyang, new technologies are emerging that will create portable online identities and allow consumers to bring their identities and social networks with them where ever they go online. This will effectively turn all aspects of the web into shared, social experiences.
He also suggests that our network of friends, colleagues, family and peers will become our primary source of online information and the major commerce influencer. These socially connected consumers will strengthen the power of online communities and accelerate the power shift from companies to consumers.
As a forecaster I'm always excited to learn about other forecasts. Mike and I had the job of asking questions and trying to poke some holes in Jeremiah's analysis. But the forecast is too well constructed and thought out - Jeremiah easily won us and the audience over with his presentation.
Normally I would provide more details, but since the forecast report is available for free I suggest you go to the source.
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