Though this was a very trying year that will not be forgotten by many, it has provided some very interesting outcomes showing people and businesses have learned to adapt.

During this tough economic time it seems that everyone is looking to understand what the buyer wants, but we may be surprised to understand that cost does not drive every decision, or that return-on-investment may require a longer period of return than the buyer cares about. So, is there another area that marketing should be addressing?

How do you maintain a balance between providing a personal touch with prospective clients while engaging in the social digital media? Have we started to hide behind the electronic communications, and are we losing our ability to engage a person one-on-one? 

Do we jump on the Social Networking Bandwagon because we do not want to miss the movement, or are we methodically looking at integrating this new avenue into our overall marketing plan?

Why is it that the term experiential seems to be popping up in so many marketing materials, as part of the name for new business units and business processes, and what does this mean for your marketing focus?

I know we have been inundated with the term organic with respect to food and ecologically friendly companies and services, but there is an even more important position that has surfaced with respect to the term organic; this is related to a Company looking for low-cost high return-on-investment visibility from search engines.

Do you ever wonder where the experience starts when you are traveling, buying a new outfit, selecting a special wine or liquor for a party, choosing a restaurant for a romantic dinner, or planning a spa experience?

There has never been a time like the present and a medium like the Internet, to provide people with the desire and ability to be heard. Everyone is "talking" either through videos, blogs, Tweets, or other Internet based solutions. But, is it all about people talking, or is it about people listening?

Internet Marketing is more than a phrase, it has become a way of life, but has it replaced the formal meaning, process, and execution of "marketing," and are we seeing an as needed use and interpretation?

Your Internet Presence is one of the most powerful marketing and advertising tools that you have, especially in these challenging times of cost management, but it is much more than just creating a website.

There are new terms popping up in our everyday language thanks in part to the growth of the Internet. So, why is a term like "due diligence" becoming such a hot trend and "the thing to do"?

I have encountered numerous companies where their current business plan is "Do Nothing and Wait Out the Global Economic Situation." What does this tell your employees? What does this tell your customers and business partners about who you are?

So, we are finally here, the year 2009. The beginning of a year that has as many questions as days, from a new President in the USA, to where will the global recession take us, to who is next for a bailout, and will the stock markets react like the assent of a rollercoaster or like the ride.

The year 2008 will go down as the "Year of Change." This has been a much overused phrase finding its way into speeches, papers, and general discussions socially, politically, and economically. Are we ready for change, new challenges, and new experiences?

Has the word "brand" taken on a bad connotation during this tight global economy? Are companies shying away from a focus on Brand Marketing and Brand Management, or better, can they, and should they?

Is your website a marketing tool, useful and effective, or just a flash in the pan? With tools like the Internet and a website available to every company you wonder why the attention to their customer is not their number one focus.

Revenue is tight and the markets are getting tighter, do we cut our marketing budget and push all the funds to sales? First, let me answer the question - NO!

So, what is reactive Internet Marketing? Well, as with the Internet, there is no single answer, but there are a series of key indicators that may determine if you are reacting or executing.