Date: November 2011

President Barack Obama's job approval rating is now below former President Jimmy Carter at the equivalent point at the White House. The European Economic Crisis is unfolding as the 'lingua franca' of financial obscurity with their problems a lot like that of the US, but only worse. The Wall Street Journal reports that Mark Zuckerberg and crew could see an IPO value of around $100 billion and us mere mortals are quite frankly, just trying to get on with finishing the year off on a half decent note.

If you are not sure how the above relates to 2012 social media trends, then perhaps you should spend a few minutes searching google and type some of these topics in to see what sort of result you get. Maybe, log into your twitter account and see what people are saying (& trending) about President Barack Obama, the European Economic Crisis or Facebook's IPO.

On Friday, I woke up in Vail, Colorado, to find an email notifying me that hours earlier a good friend of mine had passed away.

His name was Dr Michael Hirshorn. He was one of the founders of Cochlear, an original team member of Resmed and on the Board of Directors for Dynamic Hearing and a whole heap of other companies.

Constantly learning in life is a must. If we don't, we all know what happens.

We fall behind, become less interesting and life doesn't come as easy as it should.

America is such an awesome place for so many reasons. People are passionate no matter where you go whether it is down to the local Walmart store, on the slopes of Vail or in the Streets of New York. Often people the world over put Americans in an unfair box; loud, abnoxious, overly-opinionated, political and entrepreneurial. Other than the latter, I tend to disagree. It doesn't help that there are so many thousands of websites out there trying to "brand" Americans as such.

Life is a long time and staying loyal to certain brands whether it's Heinz Baked Beans, Chanel No. 5 perfume, Nike, Tiffanys, Toyota, Ray Ban or Mokador Coffee - the endurance of brand loyalty can be a long, arduous path.

I am an avid skier. I love spending the day skiing and nights by a log fire talking about life, business and how I am going to change the world. One of my good friends who has kindly agreed to host me in Vail this week for 10 days skiing and a bit of business, suggested that I may like to take a look at his good friend's beautiful ski label before we head up the mountain. On the first mention, I thought 'why not', but then I took a look at their website and the jackets and pants were really nice... BUT... they are not the brand that I have been wearing since the first day I ever went skiing. No matter how nice they are, I just could not imagine wearing a jacket from another brand. I would feel disloyal.

I didn't mean to be that loyal to Spyder and Bogner (My BRANDS ), but somehow, since that first sales person sold a Spyder ski outfit to me, I have been incredibly loyal ever since. I now own every single item that you can possibly own that has the Spyder brand on it. Bogner was a later acquisition (when I had saved enough money!!!!) and is completely non- competing with my love of the Spyder brand. It's European and is more for when I want to look sophisticated and stylish rather than athletic or sporty. Bogner is also considerably more expensive and is something I only bring out for extra special occasions although I do feel totally luxurious when I am wearing it and I always feel that I should be in Val de Sere or St Moritz when I am decked head to toe in Bogner. It quite simply makes me feel beautiful.

Whereas Spyder is for everyday wear. When I put on my Spyder gear, I feel like I am wearing the best, most practical, safest, warmest attire on the slopes and that I won't have to worry about the small things like snow soaking my jacket or feeling cold as the temperature changes. I also feel like the brand is not a 'show off' brand, and more for the sporty person who loves adventure and is not fussed about the small things in life. Even if you are not a good skier, when you have Spyder on, you feel like you are going to be.

Brands are funny things. Some people will only ever drive a Toyota car. Others will only ever wear Nike when they are playing sports. For me, I will only ever wear Spyder or Bogner when I ski, and only ever play golf with Callaway. There may be better out there, but the shift to try it is too great for a brand loyalist like myself.

I AM A BRAND LOYALIST FOR LIFE...SPYDER ... YOU HAVE RUINED ME!

Marketing Consultants or Marketing Managers are being kept on their feet these days with changes in technology, the economy, corporate responsiblity and the new green ethos that surrounds most businesses large and small.

When looking at a company, whether it is large or small, it is imperative that marketing consultants (or marketing managers) are across all areas of marketing. It's no longer about the 4P's as most Gen-X marketers who now hold the senior positions in marketing have trained on, and more about social media, customer interaction, mobile marketing, podcasts, blogs, online marketing, guerilla marketing, slideshare and of course word of mouth marketing.

Yesterday, James Moran, the founder of James Moran Furniture, called to say hello. I haven't seen James for a little while as we have both been busy.

As the son of one of the most famous furniture family dynasty's in Australia (Moran Furniture), James Moran has one of the most stylish and professional showroom's in Australia and is currently selling into some of the largest retail chains select lines. Many of Toorak's great homes feature a James Moran Furniture couch and if you go down to the cinema's, chances are that in Gold Class you may be sitting in one of his designer chairs. Office fitouts for the uber trendy and professional are taken to a new level with a piece from James Moran Furniture and anyone who knows anything about furniture, can spot a James Moran Furniture piece a mile away.

Who else finds it hard to fathom that only 15 years ago, real estate agents actually believed in customer service.

How times have changed! Speaking to a real estate agent at Lemon Baxter today, I was appaulled at how little they care about customer service and their "I don't give a F***" attitudes.

He is one of the best cricketers in the world and let's face it, the most interesting. Whether you are a man who wants to be like him, or a woman who wouldn't mind trading places with Elizabeth Hurley for a night - there is a lot to admire.

Not unlike the lifecycle of a business, Shane Warne has had many ups and downs, some public and I am sure, a lot more private. He has had his haters, his supporters, his loyal fans and those who simply admire him for his achievements.