June 24, 2008
Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Singapore

The Social Web: In today's Web environment, consumers are more likely than ever to become overwhelmed by the noise generated by a proliferation of social networks. With the onset of “social networking fatigue,” what must we do in order to help consumers find the truly relevant and trustworthy experiences they seek?

Web 2.0 is a meme that has penetrated the public consciousness for close to four years. Google's successful IPO essentially kickstarted the boom in innovation that has once again brought life to Silicon Valley. In the past half a decade, over 40B of VC money has been invested into the industry. Corridors of innovation have also sprouted up beyond SV. From ZhongGuanCun in Beijing to TelAviv in Isreal, London, Sydney, Seoul and Hong Kong startups have emerged; either tackling problems on a global basis or a presenting a localized twist.

Digital natives, those who are mostly of secondary and tertiary school age, are entering the workforce and becoming citizens with discretionary spending power.  While businesses are typically happy to welcome fresh talent or market to new customers, this generation also offers us some unique challenges.  By examining how Web 2.0 is being used in education, we can catch a glimpse of how this younger generation is learning, communicating, working, and networking differently than Generation X or the Baby Boomers.  Consequently, businesses need to rethink a whole range of issues from allowing social networking and instant messaging in the workplace, to how we market and communicate with key stakeholders.