Dell enters the conversation February 19, 2007
Posted by Angus in Web2.0.add a comment
Techcrunch reported that Dell has launched Dell Ideastorm. Think of it as Digg for customer suggestions relating to Dell, its products and services.
The idea is great, simple and comes at the right time for Dell – who has been in the doldrums for the past 18 months or so. They seem to have lost their way with product innovation and customer service. This may well nudge them into action, rapid action.
Its also one of the first real applications of social media by a large, well-know multinational that engages their customers. And, at a time when they have lagged Apple and HP in product development, its a bold step to make themselves more open, communicative and engaging.
One of the first things I noticed on the site was the reference to the famed ‘conversation’ – the war-cry of Web 2.0ites and social media-ites (and well used by Hillary Clinton in her declaration video). In the top left corner – they list ‘other conversations’, that link to Direct2Dell, the Dell blog; StudioDell, their content and training hub that uses videos and podcasts well; and Dell Forums, their community support site.
In the few days that its been up (it was launched on Friday 16th Feb), it has garnered over 21500 ‘promotions’ on about 600 suggestions. For Dell the message is clear:
- Offer Linux OS’s
- Remove bloatware (or at least provide the option to have a clean machine)
- Offer OpenSource options
- Improve product design
- No more offshoring – especially Indian Call Centres.
More power to Dell for embracing social media and the power of its customers. Now what are you going to do with it?
Technorati Tags: dell, ideastorm, dellideastorm, social media, web2.0
powered by performancing firefox
Fantastic video trip from the plain old Web to its 2.0 sibling February 7, 2007
Posted by Angus in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Watch the video and marvel at the Prof’s creativity.
An entertaining look at how we (you and I – us) have become more important in the overall schema of things. Enjoy.
powered by performancing firefox
FNB’s anti-crime campaign – Go FNB! February 5, 2007
Posted by Angus in South Africa.add a comment
Some big business activity has created some big noise about crime.
FNB has nailed their colours to the mast (in addition to their support of Homecoming Revolution, SA – The Good News and others). They too are fed up with crime and are wanting to make a difference by sending a clear message to Thabo Mbeki – by the public sending their crime experiences/stories to Mbeki, in the hope that the Presidency would sit up and take note. Sounds like a great idea. Well – that’s until the politicians got involved.
This is what the final paragraph says:
“Mr. President, I know you love this country as much as I do, so please make crime our Government’s Number 1 priority. As a committed South African I will be right behind you – because as our Nation’s history has shown, there’s nothing we can’t achieve when we work together.”
Doesn’t seem much wrong with that message.
Here is the Sunday Times article.
Here is the Campaign Briefing.
Here is the copy of the pamphlet.
Here is the TV ad script.
If the pressure included threats to move government accounts from FNB, their involvement with other big-business groups and the future treatment by the power brokers – then they would obviously need to consider the impact on their business, its staff and shareholders.
My view is that FNB needs massive support for this campaign – opening of new accounts, positive press, positive support in the blogs. Good on them to have the intention – pity them for the strong arming.
Look forward to the reincarnation of the campaign – hopefully it won’t be watered down into a sloppy bowl of porridge.
Technorati Tags: south africa, FNB, Thabo Mbeki, crime
powered by performancing firefox
Things I noticed this week February 5, 2007
Posted by Angus in Things I Noticed.2 comments
In memory of using blogs as they were initially intended – as journals/diaries, I am going to try it out in the theme of ‘What I noticed this week’.
- WTF is with the Kiwi rugby players and their bushy mullet hairstyles – think Caleb Ralph from the Crusaders? He’s like Billy Ray Cyrus meets Joey Rasdien
- Has anyone traveled to an airport recently that does not feel like a construction site?
- The Sports Cafe in Domestic Departures at Cape Town International Airport must be the worst restaurant in the country. Lousy service, questionable food (their chicken strips look and taste like hake) and the grubbiness factor (that greasy, grimy film on every surface) makes for a dodgy final stop before escaping to Joburg.
- Some advice – only subscribe to podcasts that you really want to (and have the time to) listen to – they are bandwidth hogs and wasteful if you don’t listen to them. They also stack up quickly if you don’t listen to them – and end up being like those nagging varsity assignments that you were avoiding.
- The Tim Modise Show SMS poll has been a fantastic display of 3 things – viral communication, the power of SMS/mobile phones and topics that people are passionate about. Its also the start of a groundswell. A plea for action directed at the Ivory Tower.
Makes you think, doesn’t it. Later.
Technorati Tags: south africa, cape town, podcasts,
powered by performancing firefox
