As Mashable comments, "The tech world only stops to gawk for a few choice events: Apple product launches, Marc Andreessen tweetstorms and Mary Meeker's slide presentations."

Why? Today Mary released her Internet Trends 2015 report, the 20th update of this widely anticipated research piece for those who want to understand and plan around technology. She is a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers.

You can review the slides and PDF, or check out TechCrunch's take on the most important insights. Very interesting reading.

Another interesting report I chanced upon today in my search for all things digital is The Rise of the Chief Digital Officer. This one is authored by Peter Hughes, National Lead for Delivery and Operations, Deloitte Digital Canada and looks at the key considerations for driving digital growth from the C-suite.

As Peter sums up, "As the digital habits and behaviours of end users continue to evolve, what we call the 'new normal' will be redefined again and again. Organizations will find it increasingly difficult to be proactive as trends are increasingly dictated to them, not by them. Reacting is not necessarily bad -- especially if the organization has invested in a foundation that permits it to act nimbly and quickly. Being 'proactively reactive' requires the organization to have the right leadership, operating model, governance, people and technology.

"All organizations should prepare for a time -- now or soon -- when digital is not merely part of your business, but is your business. Those who start early and transition aggressively will be well positioned to drive powerful digital growth, create value, and play an exciting and increasingly significant role in shaping their digital future -- a future that should be led by a Chief Digital Officer."

Two excellent reports well worth diving into.

John.

I've volunteered on my condo's Board of Directors for almost four years now, and although it's a lot of work, it's also very rewarding to serve the residents in the building I live.

Tonight it's our annual summer barbecue, now that it actually feels like summer in Toronto at last. Being the culinary arts fan that I am (hello? Herb Communications!) I headed out to buy the food and drinks. (Might not be as decadent as the photo above, but everyone loves grilling, right?)

I'm lucky to have a good choice of supermarkets in the locale but usually go to the same couple each week. As I was in the first one buying the basics such as pop and paper plates, I also decided to get some of the food there too, such as buns, chips and cheese slices.

I already knew in my head that this would not be my supermarket of choice for the hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs. They sold them, sure, and it would have been very convenient to pick them up too ... but I was looking for a certain level of brand.

So, in the car, another 20-minute drive, more fuel and I arrived at the second supermarket. Saw the (more expensive) meat/veggie items I wanted and bought them. Better quality for the residents without breaking the bank, for just a little more effort.

Digital communications is a little like a barbecue. You might need the various "ingredients" from different suppliers, but it's worth shopping around and not cheaping out. Quality always comes through and makes a longer lasting impression.

You don't want to leave a bad taste in your customers' mouths.

John.