Just as consumers tap into personal networks like Facebook, Twitter and Amazon.com to learn, share and shop better, innovative SMEs are with increasing frequency leveraging business networks to better manage their trading relationships and commerce activities.

FORBES: The Power Of Small: Game-Changing Strategies From Entrepreneurs

Falling interest rates boosted house prices and allowed consumers to tap into this money by refinancing their mortgages.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Google Wallet is built to work with the fast growing MasterCard PayPass network-a merchant point of sale service that enables consumers to tap to pay.

ENGADGET: Google Wallet mobile payment service, Google Offers announced