iFive

We are fast becoming a nation of visual communicators.  According to Cisco (who also own the Flip), video communications will increase ten-fold from 2008 – 2013.   

Carol Bartz, CEO of Yahoo, in a recent interview, said that she believes Yahoo needs to offer its users more video.  And, of course, providers such as ooVoo and Skype are helping us to participate in real-time interactive video conversations more and more.  Not to mention YouTube, Vimeo, et al.

The experts are saying that we will be communicating a lot more one to one, one to many, and many to many visually.  So instead of just reading (text messages) or listening (conference calls), we will be watching.  I am not all that happy about this.  For one thing, I will be forced to continually own up to what I really look and sound like.  Ouch.  And, I can  no longer do conference calls in my pajamas. 

Seriously, a whole new world of opportunity is emerging around our increasing ability to see one other.  Some consumer brands are already using the two-way video conversations to conduct market research with their target consumer.  Think, they can talk with young people at a party who will actually show them how they are mixing their beverage products.

On a personal level, all this video communications takes personal branding and personal presence to a new level.  I  ran across a saying years ago that I often quote in my speeches (although I cannot find the author):  ”you are judged by the quality of your speaking, your writing, and your ideas, and in that order.”  Note: this quote was from pre-internet days, maybe even pre-television.  Now, with all of us soon expected to communicate via video, the “speaking” takes on more importance than ever.   Is your personal brand ready?