In this week’s article for AMEX OpenForum I wrote what I see as 5 Trends That Will Shape Small Business in 2010 – #1 on the list was – Real time is big time

At some point in 2010, I wrote, all search results will consist of real-time information, scores, reviews, tweets and all, right there and up to the minute. We’re addicted to up to the minute connection and we want more. It’s kind of like the Meryl Streep line in Postcards from the Edge, “Instant gratification isn’t fast enough.”

Then Google goes and formalizes the long-awaited addition of real-time search results into the mainstream including updates from Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, FriendFeed, Jaiku and Identi.ca. Here’s the official Google announcement: Relevance meets the real-time web

The video below shows how it works

In the coming year there will a lot of emphasis instant. Google Wave will eventually introduce people to real-time collaboration.

So what does it mean for the small business owner? Social media and search, both important lead generation and awareness plays, have been in a serious relationship for some time, but now they’re getting married. You better make sure your brand is on the guest list.

Strategic social media participation and monitoring in real time is a required skill in the new world of marketing.