Several of us at Moxley Carmichael decided to make some predictions for 2010.  These are random at best and a bit eccentric.  In other words, there’s something  for everyone!

Tami Hartmann, Writer

Skype me

I sat down in my kitchen in Knoxville this morning and spoke to my son face-to-face – as he was in Prague. Skype has been a wonderful communication tool while he has been studying abroad this semester. A fabulously inexpensive (free, actually) way to keep in personal contact with one another. I predict that this technology will become an important feature on mobile devices, keeping families close in years to come.

I also see business taking a page out of this book. Even in this digital world, people love human contact. And nothing digital is more personal than face-to-face conversations. Skype gives businesses something to think about. Could you turn down that police officer that asked for a donation if he spoke to you face-to-face? Would you be more likely to purchase a service if you could see who you were hiring? Does a company mean more to you when you know real people are working there?

Mobile giving

What if you could inspire 107,000 people to whip out their phones and text at once? And what if each text message raised money for a worthy charity? That is the techno thought behind mobile giving. United Way of Greater Knoxville used the technology to boost this year’s campaign to a successful conclusion. Here’s how it works: United Way shows an audience, perhaps at a local sporting event, a short video on reasons to give and asks people to text a number to donate $5 to United Way of Greater Knoxville. After a return text to confirm the donation, a $5 charge is added to the cell phone bill. I predict you will be given the opportunity to text and give frequently in the next year.

What do you think we should watch for in 2010?