When I wrote about the Next Big Thing just over 4 years ago, little did I realize what was coming our way.  There was this emerging technology called Zoom lurking in the background and which was focused on making video communications work seamlessly. A few years later on, supported by loads of additional bandwidth, a viral pandemic launched Zoom into orbit. And human communications flew around our planet along with it!

I had long since tired of staring at the conference phone in the middle of the table. Who was really there and what were they actually thinking?  Without seeing them, who would know? And, if you listen to the voices drone on long enough, who would actually care?

Today we can literally fly to multiple locations in moments, join with multiple others to explore learning and discuss important topics, and still be home in time for soccer practice and dinner.  Such an excursion was impossible just a short while ago, literally milliseconds ago, in the context of history.Therefore, I believe this does qualify as the Next Big Thing.  Would you agree?

I will not underestimate the power of in-person human connection, however. I love it. In fact, I believe we both need it and I certainly want it to return to our lives.  The interpersonal nuances that accompany such connections are important for our long-term well being.

Meanwhile, we’ve learned how to transport our power of human connection into the virtual world.  It’s been a very good thing for our spirits during this otherwise solitary time.

I’ll happily still place a quick phone call if it’s to check in with one other person, but cannot think of the last time I scheduled a group conference call.  I may never do it again…

Because……..Now we Zoom!

Tempus Maximize!