Thoughts on blogs and people

Blogs are a cutting edge phenomenon.



Business blogs are slightly behind the curve, which I suppose makes those of us writing them, at the very front of the wave.



We have to recognize that not everyone adopts new ideas, and especially new technologies at the same rate. Some people will always be early adopters of ideas, including the use of blogs.



Other people will wait until the smoke clears, and then perhaps consider taking the plunge, after a rather lengthy deliberation.



We should always remain aware that blogs, and especially business blogs, are in their infancy. The diapers are still wet on the concept.



In fact, the internet itself has only been in the public consciousness, for about a decade. Prior to 1994, it was rare to hear of anyone other than diehard technology types who had an interest in the internet at all.



Many people even predicted an early demise of the so-called fad.



We still hear, from many sources, about blogging being only the flavour of the month, and are already digging the bloggers' early grave.



Those blog critics...or heretics if you will...believe that blogs are likely to join many failed ideas in the trash heaps of history. While I disagree completely with that assessment, many people hold the idea of blogging as fad, as fact.



While many of us are blog supporters, and even blog evangelists, we can't forget that not everyone in society is even on the internet. Amidst debates over blogs and static websites, are many people who know nothing of either. It will be a long time before the internet has the market penetration of television.



Those very late adopters will not likely be discovering blogs anytime soon either.



Instead of doing battle with those who disagree with the power and potential of blogs and blogging, it's far better to hold out an olive branch. Educate by showing and examples rather than consider indoctrination by force. The short and long term effects are greater, and better for the sanity and health of all involved.



I see blogs as undergoing an explosive growth phase over the next couple of years. The current count of just over 4 million blogs will mushroom to many times that number.



Business blogs, in all of their forms, will be the engine of blog growth.



Marketing, public relations, small and large business, legal, economics, human resources, accounting, and every other business area imaginable, will be included in the revolution.



It's only a matter of time.



As business leaders, of companies large and small, recognize the power of business blogs, they will appear almost out of nowhere, like ants at a picnic.



Instead of the traditional media asking about the nature of blogs, they will be discussing the nuts and bolts of blogging. The fact of blogs will, by then, be a moot point, as blogs become as ubiquitous as a company website.



Don't concern yourself with a few blog critics.



Instead, show others how a blog can help their business and profession to grow and prosper.



Let the late adopters catch the wave by themselves, despite their being a bit late to the party.