Biz Change ’10: Search Engine Optimization, Social Networks

2010 will be remembered as the year that business change was all about Social Networking and Search Engine Optimization.

Oh: And for Apple’s attempts to control the Media Business. And when Cloud Computing became real. And when Customer Service finally died . . . and was resurrected.

At least, that’s how we’ll remember 2010 at Answer Guy Central. Here’s a quick re-cap of the most important things we told you about in 2010. Strap in! . . .

Social Networking was the biggest buzz-phrase of 2010:

• Facebook had a movie, albeit not an especially accurate one. But who cares? The Social Network was a lot of fun to watch!
• Zuckerberg and Company received a completely inappropriate patent on a non-unique process.
• But Social Networking is already so top-heavy and heavy handed that’s it’s experiencing a crash. Well, THAT was fast!

Apple made amazing strides in its quest to control the media business:

• Just when I was sure the iPad was the most evil device in history, along came Apple TV: look here to understand a whole new kind of Control Monster
• iPhone 4 and iOs 4 took over the world, but maybe not in a good way
• Then again, we can look forward to the iPad 2, likely to drop in the spring of 2011. When it shows up, Video Conferencing will become a real tool. Finally. This might not be a good thing.

Cloud Computing, the idea that your files don’t have to be on your computer, became “real”:

• Of course, you have to trust the cloud to work for things like backing up your files.
• The the question comes up: What if Google Stops Working Correctly, Starts Charging To Hold Your Files, or Worse?

We Saw Some Examples of Real Business Change in 2010:

• Angry Birds, a $1 Game for iPhone, went free on Android and changed the game business forever
• An Ohio Doctor Lowered Medical Bills for Everyone, Everywhere
• It Became Illegal To Sell Used Software. Unless It Didn’t.
• And Really Fast Internet finally became available in the United States! Except . . . not really.

But as a guy who watches business change for the emergence of trends and helps business navigate them, nothing was a bigger story in 2010 than the change in how Search Engine Optimization intersected with the continued decline and simultaneous re-emergence of Customer Service.

Why is search engine optimization related to customer service? Because SEO is the best way to make your business look important, but bad customer service will tank you faster than anything We felt so strongly about this that we created The Answer Guy’s Customer Service Wall of Shame. On it you’ll find the story of Nissan of Manhattan and why denying warranty and customer service is a very bad idea in the age of search engine optimization. We tell you about the absolute worst customer service ever. And there’s more.

But even if they didn’t all get onto the Wall of Shame, we saw examples of how failing to understand customer service will tank you in the era of search engine optimization:

• Go ahead: alienate your customers by telling them you don’t care what they think
• Misdirect your customers to make your line management easier
• Turn off Your Free Wi-Fi, watch customers leave
• Or, just pretend you’re optimizing the new computers you sell

The Answer Guy did search engine optimization on all of those stories. And it worked. Big.

I’d like to leave you smiling, so once you’ve had enough of the bad stuff, take a look at these:

For a very non-PC chuckle, watch what happens when Jews have a sense of humor about being business-changing, money-grubbing scoundrels.

And finally, I have to point you at a post about . . . Fish. And a restaurateur in Westchester County New York who’s bringing real business change to our food supply, one very expensive meal at a time. Please: spend a few minutes watching the video by Dan Barber you’ll find here.

Business change is everywhere, and at Answer Guy Central, we’re got it in our sights so you can get it all easily.

It’s been a great 2010. See you next year . . .

Repost This Article