[…] The notion that markets are conversations is the philosophical foundation of social media in general and publishing platforms like blogs in particular.  You just have to look at blogs like GM’s Fastlane blog (this has been cited as an example so many times it has become a cliche) as examples of how customers want to talk back to the companies that make the things they are passionate about and perhaps even get involved in how those products and services are designed.  The customer’s voice is a loud voice and anyone who doesn’t listen is sunk.  Once again, these are not new concepts but they sound more impressive when they are part of a prediction about the year ahead. […]