The first time we saw this implemented in public was the Dell’s Ideastorm website, where the customers were able to submit their feature and product requests. This ultimately resulted in a Linux box being produced, a pretty drastic change from their long term relationship with Microsoft.
[The future of corporate websites enable customers to submit, define, and vote for next-generation products in collaboration with product teams]
Starbucks has seen the benefits that Dell had, and appears to be using the same Sales Force feature that allows customers to submit, discuss and vote for features, see My Starbucks Ideas.
You can:
See the top rated ideas (punch cards, wifi, are among the top) Or submit your own idea, I just suggested that ‘rent an office’ be available at select stores See which ideas get taken up and become products on their blog (FYI: Turn on comments)
What should we expect? A few of these ideas to be put into action, with great fanfare. An increased dialog between company and marketplace, and expect white label social networking sites to start offering these same features. (email me when you see one)
This is just the start folks, where social computing (where individuals who participate socially to build something greater) work together to craft better products, services and experiences for companies. To me, this is one of the ultimate goals of web strategy, as we move away from the irrelevant corporate website.
Excellent point Jeremiah. Corporate sites should go even one step further, connecting this collaboration with widgets on white label social networking sites. To gather even more insight informations.
For instance, mobile operator could gather consumers wishes through widgets and reward them for participation with free credits which can be l8r on exchanged for free talk minutes or sms.
Jeremiah
I remember the ( was it called ) beacon storm with facebook.
Would it not be a good offer on their part to offer a program that we facebook users could run from our PC’s so that it created the kind of sensible profile that is described on the video.
Is this something that we should expect them to deliver if they have any moral or ethical regard for their users ?
Business always took in suggestions; difference is doing it in public forum where customers can talk about the ideas with one another and the company — very powerful
Personal feedback: I love this, I got one vote in 10 minutes for the following idea, vote for me 😉
Imagine a firm like Starbucks with millions of transactions a day.
Imagine if once a week this firm challenged it’s customers to say: “keep the change for charity”
If Kiva can change the world, how about coffee?
Typical scenario: I go into Starbucks, I see the New York Times and I read about a village without schools, a hospital without respirators, a town destroyed by natural causes. Keep the change for charity!
Imagine a firm with millions of transactions a day and 100 million customers donating their penny’s (or more) to completely alter the future lives of people.
Starbucks, you want loyalty? give me my WIFI sure, but hey, this week the charity is to provide scholarships to kids in the country’s you get your coffee from.
I have so many ideas for starbucks but every time I write I never get a response. I now you guys can improve your bussiness. Especially now. The market has really caused no to go to starbucks. I used to see a lot of people go starbucks but not no more. I now the bussiness but you guys are missing it. My idea can really bring bussiness and pick it up for your bussiness.
Starbucks needs to keep up with times and start offering Natural Stevia in packets as a sweetener alternative (the liquid is bitter) I have been carrying mine around in my purse for about 2 years now. It is past due!
What can be done when some customers arrive regurlarly at a Starbucks in a group of 6 to 8, rearrange the furniture and make an inordinate amount of loud noise – incessant boisterous laughing to the point where other cistomers can't read a newspaper while having their breakfast. They act like temporary releases from a mental institution, since one of them shows up in a tee shirt, shorts and sandals without socks in sub-freezing temperatures, several others laugh extremely loud and continously no matter what others say.
What can be done when some customers arrive regurlarly at a Starbucks in a group of 6 to 8, rearrange the furniture and make an inordinate amount of loud noise – incessant boisterous laughing to the point where other cistomers can't read a newspaper while having their breakfast. They act like temporary releases from a mental institution, since one of them shows up in a tee shirt, shorts and sandals without socks in sub-freezing temperatures, several others laugh extremely loud and continously no matter what others say.
Starbucks,
Give us a break from those chemically derived alternative sweeteners (Equal, Sweet & Low, Splenda) and please start offering packets of Xylitol. Seach the web, and you will find that Xylitol is the only alternative sweetener with no negative (though some positive!) side effects — and it not an artifical sweetener! Xylitol is good for both diabetics and the weight conscious among us. Please make Xylitol available, and I will happily return to your coffee shops!
Neil
Your employees should wear name tags
You guys have some great Oatmeal. Personally tracked this site down to say I think it would be a good idea to make a larger size in the oatmeal, you’re welcome.