Despite all that has taken place in the last few years some
people still see mobile and the internet as merely tools for communication or
learning. There is a need to step aside to get a good grasp of the influence these
platforms have had and then imagine what will happen in the next 10 years.
What mobile and the internet offer is a constantly networked world. This has in no small way redefined our
lives. The change this combination provides is tremendous; something
every forward thinker must pay attention to. Here are some insights:
Government Changer
We all know how social networking tools like Facebook,
Twitter and Youtube were at the middle of the arab revolution. The photo below
shows 4 former Heads of State (of Tunisia, Yemen, Libya & Egypt) who were in
power as at January 1st 2011 but where ousted before the year ran out with.
This shows how mobile and the internet can remove barriers and promote unity
for a common cause.
Wealth Creator
With all the wealth that Aliko Dangote (Africa’s richest
man) has built from several industries ranging from sugar to cement and more he
yet ranks lower than a certain 27 year old on the Forbes richest list who has
built only one thing, Facebook. This young man has also made some of his
friends internet billionaires after only 7 years ago. No other platform or
industry provides the opportunity to amass wealth on such a scale and so
quickly too.
Industry Reformer
Amazon changed the way the world buys books. Their reward?
Close to a hundred billion dollars in valuation. Today, it offers books in electronic format via its Kindle device eating deep into revenues from printed books. Companies
like Amazon, Salesforce, Expedia, Netflix have disrupted several industries
changing the way books, flight booking, movies are bought and consumed.
Change Agent
Not not only billion dollar companies are using mobile and
internet to do great and exciting stuff even individuals like Sal’ Khan have used
the internet to affect millions of lives without buying office space or hiring
people. Sal’s Khan Academy is currently
transforming the way students learn using the power of mobile and internet and
what started as a passion has turned into a world renowed institution.
The world of mobile
and internet creates wealth and impact changes by breaking barriers. The power of a mobile
networked world is BIG and is only going to get BIGGER! Tap into it.
