{"id":16237,"date":"2013-12-10T06:48:41","date_gmt":"2013-12-10T13:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.web-strategist.com\/blog\/?p=16237"},"modified":"2014-01-05T09:03:57","modified_gmt":"2014-01-05T16:03:57","slug":"introducing-crowd-companies-a-brand-council-for-the-collaborative-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web-strategist.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/10\/introducing-crowd-companies-a-brand-council-for-the-collaborative-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Crowd Companies: A Brand Council for the Collaborative Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Screen<\/a><\/center>Our Mission: Empowered People & Resilient Brands for Shared Value.
\n<\/b>Today, I’m launching a new company called Crowd Companies<\/a> as I see a market opportunity for large brands to be an integral part of the Collaborative Economy. We’re on a mission for Empowered People and Resilient Brands to achieve Shared Value.<\/p>\n

The Collaborative Economy is a Powerful Movement.
\n<\/b>Technologies like mobile, social, internet of things, 3D printers and more empower people to create physical products, or share existing resources with each other, rather than buy anew. It means people are empowered to get what they need from each other, rather than from inefficient institutions. The bold question we will ask and answer is: “What role do corporations play when people get what they need from each other?”<\/p>\n

Big Companies have a role in the Collaborative Economy.<\/b>
\nTo answer the question on the role of companies in this crowd economy, I’m launching Crowd Companies, a brand council whose primary function is to help big brands understand, then connect with startups in the Collaborative Economy. The scope of this council includes trends that empower people which today includes the sharing economy, maker movement, co-innovation, and future technologies that come next.\u00a0We believe that brands that participate in this movement are resilient, securing their long-term place in the market.<\/p>\n

Empowered People benefit through the Innovation Network.<\/b>
\nThe mission of Crowd Companies is an equation<\/i>; people and brands together<\/i>. To complete the equation, I’ve hand-selected startups that empower people from the sharing economy, maker movement and co-innovation, all who want to work with big brands. They will meet, present to, and connect with the brand council.\u00a0This relationship does not cost the startups anything other than their time.<\/p>\n

How The Brand Council Works. <\/b>
\nOur business model is primarily focused on membership fees from the corporate members, which cover: 1) A private place to connect to other members, 2) Experts who come to present to the council (saving you time), and 3) Access to the innovation network of startups who want to work with big companies.\u00a0Over time, as the council needs change and growth, we will offer new solutions to meet market needs.<\/p>\n

The 24 Crowd Companies Founding Members:
\n<\/b>The following progressive companies are the founding members of the Crowd Companies council, they include:
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

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      \n
    1. Abbott Labs<\/li>\n
    2. Adobe<\/li>\n
    3. American Eagle<\/li>\n
    4. Autodesk<\/li>\n
    5. Barclaycard<\/li>\n
    6. Cisco<\/li>\n
    7. Ford<\/li>\n
    8. GE<\/li>\n
    9. Hyatt<\/li>\n
    10. Intel<\/li>\n
    11. Intuit<\/li>\n
    12. Kelly Services<\/li>\n
    13. Nestle<\/li>\n
    14. Paypal<\/li>\n
    15. Radio Shack<\/li>\n
    16. Swisscom<\/li>\n
    17. Taco Bell<\/li>\n
    18. The Home Depot<\/li>\n
    19. Verizon<\/li>\n
    20. Visa<\/li>\n
    21. Walmart<\/li>\n
    22. WellPoint<\/li>\n
    23. Western Union<\/li>\n
    24. Whole Foods<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\n

      Why I’m doing this.<\/b>
      \nI’m driven by a career mission. It’s to “help corporations connect to their customers using new technologies.” \u00a0About a decade ago, I was involved in a prior phase of democratization where people were creating media<\/i> and sharing it with each other.\u00a0Today, we all know this as social media.\u00a0Using the lessons learned, I see the same democratization happening to the physical<\/i> world, where empowered people are creating physical products and sharing resources among each other, rather than buying anew.\u00a0I have great passion for how technology both enables and disrupts markets. I’ve written over 2,700 blog posts on the subject and thrive being on the edge of technology and business.<\/p>\n

      Thank you. <\/b>
      \nI try to maintain a list of those who have helped along the way, so I apologize if I have missed anyone.\u00a0First of all thanks to the council members and innovation network startups who believed in the movement and in us. Thank you, Fred Neil, for my first dollar. Thanks to the team and partners who helped: Miranda Merten, Angus Nelson, Vladimir Mirkovic,\u00a0Paul Bae, Carmen Simon, and Lou Gutheil. Thank you to advisors, Vivian Wang, for movement-seeking and inspiring me; Todd Defren and SHIFT, for counsel and help for these early days; Wendy Lea, for kicking me to go do it; Loic Lemeur, who opened my eyes; the entire LeWeb team; Lisa Gansky, for being so meshy; and Neal Gorenflo for being so generous. Thank you David Armano,\u00a0Aaron Strout, Kelby Johnson, Steph Agresta, Ian Greenleigh, Malcolm De Leo, Francine Hardaway, Joe Chernov, Rebecca Lieb,\u00a0Terry Young, Ben Smith, Jim Lundy, who guided, cheered me on and made intros. Thank you Lora Cecere, Alan Webber, Julie, Viola, Charlene Li and to all the people at Altimeter Group, for your ongoing support.\u00a0Of course, thank you to\u00a0my supportive wife, who is a supportive driving force behind me. I know I left many, many people off, please accept my apologies.<\/p>\n


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