A thank you to dotcoms

<p>We were cautious in our expectations for 2000. Yes, we knew Asia </p><p>was coming out of recession, the stock markets were bouncing back and </p><p>dotcoms were just beginning to take off, but we were also worried that </p><p>the millennium time-bomb might cause widespread economic melt down. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Just how wrong could we be? 2000 has turned out to be a phenomenal year </p><p>with double digit growth throughout the region. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Dotcom spending exploded in the second quarter plastering every square </p><p>meter of outdoor space in Asia. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>While dotcoms came and went, and thankfully paid their bills, they stole </p><p>staff - but now, nine months later, they are sending them back. They </p><p>generated a 'dotcoms are sexy' mentality and suddenly media specialists </p><p>were yesterday's sex-sirens. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>We were forced to take a hard look at ourselves and recognise that in </p><p>the headlong rush to build billings, we needed greater focus on </p><p>people. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Building teams and communities, having fun, sharing goals and </p><p>objectives, setting out a clear corporate vision, recognising success, </p><p>training, coaching, building passion etcetera are fundamental, and the </p><p>dotcom frenzy reminded us of this. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In my mind, year 2000 has been a memorable year thanks to the </p><p>dotcoms. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Not only did they deliver windfall revenues, but they reminded us that </p><p>people are our most important asset. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>So: are media specialists sexy again? Maybe not - but we're trying. </p><p>Thank you dotcoms, it's been fun. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>

We were cautious in our expectations for 2000. Yes, we knew Asia

was coming out of recession, the stock markets were bouncing back and

dotcoms were just beginning to take off, but we were also worried that

the millennium time-bomb might cause widespread economic melt down.



Just how wrong could we be? 2000 has turned out to be a phenomenal year

with double digit growth throughout the region.



Dotcom spending exploded in the second quarter plastering every square

meter of outdoor space in Asia.



While dotcoms came and went, and thankfully paid their bills, they stole

staff - but now, nine months later, they are sending them back. They

generated a 'dotcoms are sexy' mentality and suddenly media specialists

were yesterday's sex-sirens.



We were forced to take a hard look at ourselves and recognise that in

the headlong rush to build billings, we needed greater focus on

people.



Building teams and communities, having fun, sharing goals and

objectives, setting out a clear corporate vision, recognising success,

training, coaching, building passion etcetera are fundamental, and the

dotcom frenzy reminded us of this.



In my mind, year 2000 has been a memorable year thanks to the

dotcoms.



Not only did they deliver windfall revenues, but they reminded us that

people are our most important asset.



So: are media specialists sexy again? Maybe not - but we're trying.

Thank you dotcoms, it's been fun.