For those of us 40-somethings who remember the world pre-PC and have witnessed the massive developments in communications over the last decade, it has been a phenomenal ride.  Taking a career break back in 1997, I returned a few years later to find that the workplace had been captured by the world wide net – press releases were no longer issued by post and the fax machine was a thing of the past.  Since then, we’ve got used to having the world’s research resources at our fingertips; the email rather than the telephone has become our essential; and traditional media is in decline as we all absorb free news from the net.

Take a few minutes for a nostalgic trip back and just think about how different this Christmas will be to the one you enjoyed back in the largely analogue world of 1990.  This year, you’ll be choosing which sit-com repeat to watch from the huge number of options on your multi-channel TV; your turkey will have been ordered and paid for online before being delivered to your home; and most of your gifts will probably have come to you via Amazon rather than St Nick (not that you can expect any CDs in your stocking in this age of free downloads).  And you don’t need to fret about what to do with those unwanted presents, thanks to eBay…

You no longer have to worry about missing your favourite Christmas special, you’ve probably recorded it on your hard drive or you could always go online later and watch it on iplayer.  Family and friends abroad are now only the click of a mouse away, whether you make them part of the festive fun with photos and videos from your mobile; chat with them on MSN or Facebook; or skype them in real time.  

Back in 1999, less than half of us had ever been online and only one in five homes had a connection to the web and even then it was via a dial-up modem.  In 2001, connections averaged around 5,500 a week, but by 2004 over half of all UK households had an internet connection (a third of which were via broadband) and in 2009, 65 per cent of households have broadband.  Apparently, in the five years up to 2008, the UK saw the highest international increase in TV watching; became the biggest user of texts after the US; and had the third highest volume of landline calls in the world.

So, what technological advances are in store for us over the next ten years?  According to Ofcom superfast or next generation broadband will herald further innovations.  Delivering speeds of up to ten times the level of today’s broadband services, it could revolutionise home entertainment and communications.  Families would be able to perform several different tasks at once, such as internet downloading, gaming over the web or watching movies on high-definition TV.  We may also be able to talk to friends and relatives via video links, download albums in seconds and work from home more easily.

Despite being a ‘digital immigrant’ rather than a ‘digital native’ like Generation Y; I have to say that I am fast becoming a technology addict.  Having just taken possession of a shiny new iphone last week, I think I have found digital heaven and I cannot imagine a better hi-tech toy, but who knows what the next ten years have in store…

And many of our world class manufacturers share his view that theirs will be the light leading us to the end of the tunnel. A new UK-wide survey covering Aerospace & Defence, Food manufacturing and Distribution, Automotive, Engineering and Technology cites over 37% of respondents feeling positive and confident about the next six months.

Chamber International is also in tune with the positive mood and at the heart of the UK’s biggest export drive in 30 years. International manager Tim Bailey says: “Despite the gloom, there are massive opportunities out there. We’ve assembled a sophisticated tool-box to help Yorkshire businesses crack overseas markets and Yorkshire Forward has helped 1,200 firms with £7million worth of export support.”