I'm three months and a half months in. Having been to a few events recently, the position of editor feels as if it's been reframed in a much more mobile way now that I know the value of exhibitions and conferences; not just for their value of bringing people together to meet potential new suppliers, not just to hear industry experts, not just to be told time and again that the mantra of 2009/10/11/12 is going to be 'do more with less', but to meet face-to-face with colleagues and clients.

In an age where this is often no longer necessary, it puts a premium on the times when we do. It gives a semblance of reality to our virtual work existence, and while 3D technologies and immersive environments such as Second Life and its peers-in-production are making waves in the innovation stakes, it's important to realise that for the moment they will most likely be used in learning and development as part of a 'blended communication' approach.

Making the difference between blended media and blended communication is an important one. TrainingZone is an online community of members owned by Sift Media, a digital publisher. But within the world of digital publishing we have many different ways of communicating through several different conduits. Audio, video, the written word, Twitter, bulletins, email. Crucially, I think the focus should always be to use the most appropriate tools to converse with your members. It could be Twitter, it could be Second Life; but in my first few months of this job, my main takeaway question has been, 'what's the best way of engaging with people?'