Wikinomics

Technology has created a platform for people to voice their opinions and this platform continues to grow day by day. Individuals who were once considered amateurs with no voice may now be viewed as respectful people whose opinions are highly valued. Large corporations, and even small local businesses, now seek outside help from consumers. Companies pursue these consumers for new ideas concerning products and or services. Mass collaboration, such as this, has recently been defined as Wikinomics.

I have always heard the phrase, “Two heads are better than one,” but why limit it to two minds. The whole concept of Wikinomics is for people to take advantage of what technology allows us to do, which is to mass communicate. In today’s economy if a company does not utilize social media to interact with their consumers or stockholders they will not succeed. Many companies have formed over the years to help other companies transition into this digital culture. A very interesting company that I found is known as iStrategyLabs based out of Washington DC. 

According to Peter Corbett, founder of iStrategyLabs, they are a service that “builds online and offline movements that engage communities through creative marketing, experimental uses of social media, and civic innovation programs of all kinds.” Some of their services include social media marketing, digital marketing, experimental marketing, youth marketing, content creation, civic innovation, and custom labs. iStrategyLabs clients include Disney, Ford, ABC, ESPN, U.S. Army, and Walmart. Their website is really cool and goes more in depth with their services and what all they can do for a company looking to expand into the world of mass communication. 

Here is a video where Corbett explains what is necessary in order to successfully set the stage for social mass collaboration. 

He discusses the concept of a give and take relationship, whether it be among coworkers trying to communicate or people outside the company attempting to mass collaborate. In order for it to be a successful relationship, the company must make sure they are giving something back. Some companies offer discounts or freebies to consumers who complete a survey to encourage feedback whereas some do contests as an incentive. 

The ultimate idea revolving around Wikinomics is the act of sharing information to form or make ideas better by using more minds. No one mind is better than the other but joined together for the same cause can be unstoppable.