Forecast for 2006

Well, it’s that time of the year when we should all be looking to 2006 and how we intend to prosper in the New Year. (Actually, we all should have done this 3-6 months ago, but it’s traditional for media to focus on the New Year now, when it is a bit too late).

Last year I believe I challenged you all to set aggressive goals for the New Year.

This year, let’s do something different. I’d like to have you post your predictions about what will change in your marketspace and how you will respond with better service, solutions, or marketing strategies.

For instance, I have come to a realization (or at least have an educated hunch) that many people don’t just want “help” in the form of consulting services or how-to books. Most people don’t want to learn just for the sake of learning (with notable exceptions, as the Teaching Company has discovered; also, products that show people how to make more money are always favorites, and I and others continue to do well with marketing books and products). They want some official recognition of what they have learned, in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Certification that makes them more employable. And they would rather help others than be helped.

So for me, 2006 will test the above hunch as I offer products and services that certify people in a variety of occupations and areas of expertise. The site www.boxingfitnessinstitute.com is the first of a few attempts.

A second prediction/hunch that has already come true is that the projected increase in paid content on the Web has not materialized, due to the resurgence of free sites and search and the advertising model. You know this from Google’s success, as well as the December Business 2.0 article about the return of “monetized eyeballs.”

So for me 2006 will see the roll out of a free content site that aims to monetize eyeballs in a big way.

What about you? What are your predictions? How will you adjust your actions to succeed based on those predictions.

The best way to predict the future? Create it!

Happy New Year, a bit early.