First, we saw clients grow immensely in terms of becoming media generators—on new open source websites, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and beyond. While we sometimes groan internally at the number of new channels we must master, we also celebrate how freeing this new world order is; our clients have so much more control. But with that control comes rising expectations—of two-way communication, of immediacy and of change. We have to stay on top of that content generation in a big way.

Second, we saw many organizations, small and large, focus on planning in healthy, new ways. In this “new normal,” none of us can afford to waste time, energy or resources. We continue to live by the wise words of Peter Drucker who over a decade ago wrote: "We hear a great deal of talk these days about the 'culture' of an organization. But what we really mean by this is the commitment throughout an enterprise to some common objectives and common values. Without such commitment, there is no enterprise; there is only a mob. Management’s job is to think through, set, and exemplify those objectives, values, and goals."

Third, we witnessed the prospering of organizations that focused on meaningful, authentic relationship building with audiences, donors and customers. The world is a busy, noisy place. It’s hard to gain loyalty and easy to lose it; this will only grow more true and relevant in the year ahead.

So much more to ponder for 2011. Stay tuned.