corporate websites want to be your friend

Blogs are merging with the times

2009-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

A new type of blog has appeared attempting to meet the needs of an open community –and also meet the needs of the corporations.

Wells Fargo and Wachovia launched a blog called The Wells Fargo - Wachovia Blog .

Jeremiah make predictions about what we can expect to see in the future:
1) A corporate blog focused on helping those who were laid off find new jobs 2) A community site hosted by a corporation that helps laid off employees connect with others 3) A variety of online communities appear for alumnus of companies.

read more

Social Media Explosion

2008-10-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

Peter Kim compiled a massive list of companies (http://www.beingpeterkim.com/2008/09/ive-been-thinki.html) that are using social media marketing. Here are a few:

Sony blog:
http://news.sel.sony.com/electronicsblog/

Dell Offers, News, Blogs, & Community Sites on Twitter
http://www.dell.com/twitter

LG forum lets customers discuss, ask questions about and share information and ideas on products:
http://www.lgcommunity.com/

GM has a newer site called 'fact or fiction' which is addressing the current state of the auto industry and how it will effect this country.
http://gmfactsandfiction.com/

They give examples of how this crisis will effect all of us and also show how everyone (GM employees, retirees, concerned americans) can contact our US Senators and Representatives to urge them to support the auto industry.

more companies jumping onboard

2008-09-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

More companies are deciding to get serious about social media.

Ford hired social media guru Scott Monty to head up its social media efforts-- a 5-person social media team for Ford Motor Company.

Dell recently announced that it was giving its employees access to a wide array of social media sites and tools.

Washington D.C.-based Livingston Communications was being acquired by Toronto's Social Media Group. The move makes SMG the largest indie SM marketing firm in North America.

HP has nothing to hide

2008-08-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

Similar to Dell's IdeaStorm, HP has IdeaLab. It's a sneak preview of some of their Web services and other emerging technologies. But better than Dell, HP lets you actually try out their new technologies and share your thoughts on their forum...and some of it is pretty cool. From mscapes, which delivers digital content like games, stories and tours based on a mobile user's location to BookPrep, which lets users read and buy out-of-print books on demand.

Consumers Rule

2008-07-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah Owyang, Sr. Analyst at Forrester Research, ran a contest to find what the future of corporate sites hold for us. Two winners offer their ideas.

Some highlights:

"Corporate websites of the future will be less about canned content and more about fluidity. The consumer will demand websites that are connected to the ‘users’ and ‘consumers’ personal networks which will promote and instill word of mouth as a best practice for business development and sales." Kristie Connor, Marketing Consultant.

"Humans will be front and center, rather than the stock photo and corporate happy talk. In 5 years the “corporate website” as we know it will no longer exist. I see the corporate website as hub of individuals that become your first point of contact, and guide you through your search for products, service or support with the use of chat, video feed, guided browsing, VoIP…" Christopher Smith, VP of Digital Media Marketing and Creative Director

Dell's IdeaStorm is the perfect example of how they're letting customers share their thoughts. You can post your ideas for a new Dell product, 'promote' ideas you want to see, discuss with other customers, and read what Dell developers have on the horizons.

But I like gizmodo's take on it better: Dell IdeaStorm, Where Your Ideas Reign Because We're Out Of Them.

The Future of Corporate Websites According to Jeremiah

2008-07-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah Owyang, Sr. Analyst at Forrester Research, makes some predictions for the future of corporate sites. He says it'll be a trusted source of opinion and fact, created by the corporation and community. A true first-stop, ones-stop community resource where information flows for better products and services...
Some highlights:

Websites are created with customers
Unfiltered customer testimonials will appear
Content will have both negative and positive views about your products
Sites will be a Community Resource (i.e. putting customers first--for real)

Read more here.

GM Next knows no limits

2008-06-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

GMNext.com is a new site with a slew of content for you including wikis, blogs, stories, videos, and podcasts among others. You can even have a live chat with some of the GM designers of cars in the International Auto Show. GM was an early adopter of social media technology. They
started its first blog back in January of '05. In fact, GM was the first major corporation to feature posts from a senior executive. Read more about GM and social media (blogging specific) here.

Corporate Websites Want To Be Your Friend

2008-06-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Corporate websites communicating?
And engaging their visitors? More and more corporate sites are losing the suit and tie and embracing Web 2.0 and social media to attract and retain visitors. By doing this they keep costs down and enjoy better credibility through word-of-mouth advertising.

Whirlpool wants to show you they care
Whirlpool has created American Family podcasts to discuss issues that impact families with diverse backgrounds. Topics range from traveling with kids to snowmobiling safety. Their product podcasts section has topics like water filtration. I wonder which gets more clicks?