Forecast: Clouds, social networks, email filters

In today's fast-paced business environment, the new executive is expected to stay on top of emerging new media and technology in order to be competitive. The proliferation of non-stop digital communication, the 24/7 work week, and on-the-go business deals are forcing today's executive to embrace newer technology at a much faster pace than in the past.

Younger business hopefuls and early technology adopters have a serious competitive edge, as they are naturally proficient at using technology to achieve their career building goals. Using online services, software and the latest technology to manage your information and workload is essential for staying relevant in your business arena – and ahead of the pack.

Here are some essential tools that will help you harness emerging technology to boost productivity and streamline information management.

While executives have traditionally supported hardware and IT departments, it's clear that cloud computing is here to stay and can offer great flexibility, innovation and emerging technology to the new executive. These "cloud-ware" tools can be leveraged to manage your business calendar, documents, email and more.

The basic premise underlying cloud computing is simple: a company's hardware and software requirements can be outsourced to third-party companies, freeing up — or in some cases eliminating — the need for internal IT resources. In other words, software, hardware and even information are now services, not capital expenditures.

Large corporations and startups alike are flocking to cloud services like Amazon and Google Apps. Netflix, 3M, Nasdaq and ESPN are just a few of the corporate entities turning to cloud computing for everything from extra server space to software that helps manage customer relationships.

Government agencies are looking at the cloud, too. NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab is now running experiments — including work to process vast amounts of telemetry data from rovers on Mars — on the computers of Amazon, Microsoft and Google. And the U.S. Department of Energy has converted its entire IT department to Google Apps, a move executives there predict will eliminate $40 million dollars in technology expenses over three to five years.

Smart executives need timely, relevant industry news that really matters, and they need it quickly. SmartBrief is a media company providing precisely that. Combining technology with editorial expertise, SmartBrief filters thousands of online sources to create customized, email publications for more than 160 trade associations, professional societies, corporations and other groups.

These valuable news briefs can also be delivered in an easy-to-read mobile format through SmartBrief's Android app, allowing executives to stay informed anytime, anywhere. The Android app displays SmartBrief news summaries without the need for an active mobile connection. The app also allows executives to mark their favorite articles.

LinkedIn is becoming a common place for executives to network.

In March, the social network surpassed 100 million members worldwide.