If we can learn anything from the past 12 months here's what would I like to see improve in the coming customer-centric year:

1) The Conrad Black case: corporate ownership to recognize that success is built one customer at a time, not gratis through an abundance of assets, titles or by reputation. To see executive compensation more and more linked to bottom-line results, including negative compensation.

2) The ABCP market collapse: banks to take more care to protect the interests of existing customers than to make risky loans to woo customers they have not. Then we won't have to pay through the nose for their miscalculations.

3) Cdn/US Dollar parity: for manufacturers to realize you need more than a price advantage to maintain customer continuity. I am hoping to see Cdn. Manufacturing demonstrate some significant value-adds to win back business. Use customer-centric service and innovation to succeed while the dollar is high - just think what it will reap if the Greenback ever rebounds.

4) Loblaws' Shrinking Fortune: don't bet the farm on Big Box Groceries when your customers love you for the niche, gourmet treats you spoil them with. Loblaws should ditch its Walmart-isms and get back to rebuilding its President's Choice brands to give its customers the greatest tastes of the world that they loved - and make them feel loved.

5) Canadian Auto-Worker's Union: no customers, no security. Nothing protects employee benefits more than being competitive in the marketplace, and you can't have two bosses running a business in this market economy. I predict that customers will continue to favor non-union manufactured vehicles until manufacturers have equal cost of labor.

6) Made in China: customers will continue to favor Made in China, however if there is a major PR crisis in 2008, we will see Made in China becoming a lobbyist playground, especially with the Olympics on the global calendar. (Viz. Tainted Pet Food, Lead Paint in Toys, 2 strikes)

No chance that I am going to make it to a list of Top 10. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Customer-Centric 2008 and please get back to me with any questions or requests for assistance.