The horse, you will recall, is something with inherent power to propel you. It could be a college or organisation, a job, a new business venture, a cause, an idea, or a group of friends fixated on one specific aim.

"Innovation" - one of the most hackneyed terms of our era. Though I have perfected the cover-up of the reflexive reaction over time, I silently wince when I hear or read it and am certain the flash in my eyes is susceptible to any astute observer.

When you think of a brand, what comes to mind? Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Intel, Orange? These brands have presence and strong brand values which means that they succeed in cutting through the noise and getting their message out to their audience.

CSR and socially responsible initiatives have been at the forefront of corporate PR strategies for a number of years now.

As we look forward to 2013, a topic that continues to be on everyone’s lips is bring your own device (BYOD), the associated network issues and perceived security risks to an organisation. But has the consumerisation of IT led to other changes within corporate systems beyond the device that employees choose to use?

Two important things happened recently. Argos announced that they are likely to shut or relocate 75 of their stores in the UK, and Apple has announced the launch of the iPad mini.

As Microsoft reveals prices for its Surface tablet, the concerns for the fate of the product grow bigger and bigger in the technical community. The product's basic price is on the iPad's level and to get the cover that serves as a keyboard a customer is expected to shell out even more.