Social, Web 2.0, You, what it all means

OK, so one man's opinion, but if I had a dollar for every time I hear "Social" or "Web 2.0" I'd be retired playing golf in Hawaii. That said, there's a reason why these terms are used in the first place, and that reason is a very interesting development and trend.

Not long ago, businesses assumed the web privacy policies and terms of use would get built up just as in regular, offline business. Instead, policy makers have defaulted to the open nature of the web. As such, we have a tool and platform in the web that allows anyone to self-express, anyone to view anything, say anything, sell anything - all without rules, boundaries or guidelines.

Businesses that embrace the trend towards individual self expression will thrive, and the resistant companies will soon be buried.

Let's take ecommerce: gone are the destination site shopping trends. Now users see clothes they like from a celebrity and one click later they can buy the blouse or shoes. People on MySpace can paste virtual wishlists (www.stylefeeder.com is a great example) and there are no restrictions, who sells the product, for how much, etc. Yet to date, publishers have been slow to react, as have ecommerce players. Will they wake up? Will eBay or Amazon realize that there is far more to be gained if users raise their hand by stating "here is stuff I want and it's not all on your site" and then being of assistance, like white knights swooping in to save the princesses? Or, will those sites continue to restrict users from "leaving their site"? Don't they see that...people will leave anyway?

Stylin' StyleFeed at StyleFeeder

Did I get enough branding in there, Philip? Folks, I'll be ranting and raving every so often about StyleFeeder. I work here, but I also love the product; StyleFeeder singlehandedly saved Christmas for me as I bought 4 of my wife Alison's favorite gifts right off her StyleFeed. Anyway...what's a StyleFeed? See below:

My first ever...blog post?

I guess it's time I shed the cape (or put it on?) and transform myself into a blogger. You see, I've resisted this for quite some time - no, not because I think it's mainly for skinny, dorky guys who can't get a date. The real reason I've resisted blogging is that it seems, very, VERY addictive.

I've certainly written a ton of stuff. Mostly random sports musings, recaps of great sporting events I've been fortunate to attend, etc. But now that I am a card carrying member of the Web 2.0 citizenry, I feel like I can learn as I post, get your comments, make me a better Business Development executive, blah, blah, blah.

Anywho....a quick link to "me": www.myspace.com/shergul