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Answer Upon - Gaining Real Business Value From Web 2.0
Ebay - a Godsend or the Devil? of the "walled garden" are over. Users want and expect access to your site's information and data in ways previously unimaginable. From the simple (RSS feeds) to the complex (APIs), users expect to be provided with methods to get to your site's content and functionality. After all, it's often their own content and data they're after.Ebay – You either love it or hate it. Count me in the latter group. Ebay is the devil! My experience with Ebay was most unfortunate. I’m assuming it isn’t the norm or else Ebay would not be as popular as it is world-wide.How did I become an Ebay hater? Simple. I tried to sell a diamond ring on their site. I signed up for a one time deal. I believe it was for a month and I was led to believe that if the ring didn’t sell after a month, that was it, no more obligation to me.Somehow I also got duped into listing the ring in two categories, not just for a diamond. I believe it was their suggestion that I could sell it more easily and quickly if I listed it in another category. So I did. I also paid the extra money for the extr Users also expect that the site's user experience is going to be as advanced and smooth as possible. Page content and functionality that might be clickable, draggable or otherwise interactive should be. Users that have grown accustomed to the seamless experience of working with Google Maps or Flickr's slideshows expect similar interface conventions everywhere they go. * RSS Feeds for content syndication and aggregation * Site API for remote interoperability with site functionality and data * SaaS - Software as a Service Promotional Marketing - Effective Marketing With Waterless Tattoos By now, we’re all familiar with the success of Web 2.0 “poster kids” like YouTube, Flickr, Digg, MySpace, etc. However, these are internet “pure play” businesses. The question is: how can traditional businesses embrace and benefit from the concepts and technology of the Web 2.0 landscape?Before waterless tattoos came to market, the only type of temporary tattoo available required water to apply. The concern among parents and marketers is that children were, and still do, use their saliva to apply the water-type temporary tattoos when a clean water supply is unavailable. Waterless tattoos are a great marketing tool because they eliminate the mess associated with water and the need for kids to use their germ and bacteria-infested saliva to apply temporary tattoos to themselves … and their friends.By eliminating the basic health concern, marketers are finding that waterless tattoos are fast-becoming a top marketing tool of choice. In general, waterless tattoos are great for walk-a-thons, open houses, school pride events, s While our peers in the Internet industry are already growing tired of the discussion, I find that many of clients are just beginning to understand how they can benefit from these ideas. So, what does our industry mean when we talk about Web 2.0? The underlying, fundamental concept is simple: User-centered content, functionality and technology is at the heart of Web 2.0. In fact, the rise of the website user as an active participant in a site's content and community is the cornerstone of the shift from the original web model to second generation ideas and methods. The following characteristics largely define this new era of websites: 1. User-enhanced content Everyone loves Amazon -- you can find just about anything there and purchase it in "one-click". But without the innumerable bits of user-added information like product ratings, reviews, rankings, etc, Amazon would be just another eCommerce site. By harnessing the value of their users, Amazon has transformed itself into an incredible source of information, and, in the process, has set the bar high for would-be competitors. This user-extended value concept can also be seen in the best blogs and socially-focused news sites like Slashdot, Daily Kos, TechCrunch, (and to a lesser degree, Digg), where half (if not more) of the value of sites is in the comments themselves. The appeal is audience-centered, as users carry on lively (ahem) debates, refine and/or rebut the points made in original posts. Key features of user-added value include: * Comments - accepting comments from site users * Ratings - allowing users to rate an item or story according to their perception of its value * Ranking (based on user feedback or tracking - what the most popular stories are, most popular search terms, etc. * Tagging - adding information to a given item on a site by adding tags/labels that help clarify or categorize the site's content 2. User-contributed content Partially due to the the rise and mainstreaming of blogging, users have gone from passive consumers of website content to active participants who expect to be involved in the content on their favorite sites. In fact, sites that have failed to recognize this trend have fallen far behind newer competitors that offer these capabilities. A great example of this is Google's purchase of YouTube. Why, since Google already had a YouTube competitor in GoogleVideo, would Google spend money to essentially create what they already had? Simple. YouTube made it so much easier for users to upload and contribute their own content that YouTube quickly became the defacto site for video upload and sharing. Other sites that enable (even rely on) user-contributed content include Wikipedia, photo-sharing site Flickr (and its dozens of copycats), many politically-focused news/blog sites like Free Republic and Daily Kos, and of course, MySpace which is nothing without the contributions of its huge userbase. A great hybrid model of user-contributed content with is NewsVine, where users suggest "official" news stories for promotion to the main page, create their own original content for inclusion side-by-side with the "official" news stories, and debate the value/accuracy/relevancy of all these stories. * Wikis * Blogging * Photo and Video upload * User-suggested or promoted content 3. User-focused technology and functionality The days of the "walled garden" are over. Users want and expect access to your site's information and data in ways previously unimaginable. From the simple (RSS feeds) to the complex (APIs), users expect to be provided with methods to get to your site's content and functionality. After all, it's often their own content and data they're after. Users also expect that the site's user experience is going to be as advanced and smooth as possible. Page content and functionality that might be clickable, draggable or otherwise interactive should be. Users that have grown accustomed to the seamless experience of working with Google Maps or Flickr's slideshows expect similar interface conventions everywhere they go. * RSS Feeds for content syndication and aggregation * Site API for remote interoperability with site functionality and data * SaaS - Software as a Service The Kentucky State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:Revenue Cabinet 200 Fair Oaks Lane Frankfort, KY 40601-1134 (502) 564-7287 http://revenue.ky.gov/Kentucky requires you to use the Federal "K-4 Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate" form to calculate state income tax withholding.Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Kentucky cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemploymen 1. User-enhanced content Everyone loves Amazon -- you can find just about anything there and purchase it in "one-click". But without the innumerable bits of user-added information like product ratings, reviews, rankings, etc, Amazon would be just another eCommerce site. By harnessing the value of their users, Amazon has transformed itself into an incredible source of information, and, in the process, has set the bar high for would-be competitors. This user-extended value concept can also be seen in the best blogs and socially-focused news sites like Slashdot, Daily Kos, TechCrunch, (and to a lesser degree, Digg), where half (if not more) of the value of sites is in the comments themselves. The appeal is audience-centered, as users carry on lively (ahem) debates, refine and/or rebut the points made in original posts. Key features of user-added value include: * Comments - accepting comments from site users * Ratings - allowing users to rate an item or story according to their perception of its value * Ranking (based on user feedback or tracking - what the most popular stories are, most popular search terms, etc. * Tagging - adding information to a given item on a site by adding tags/labels that help clarify or categorize the site's content 2. User-contributed content Partially due to the the rise and mainstreaming of blogging, users have gone from passive consumers of website content to active participants who expect to be involved in the content on their favorite sites. In fact, sites that have failed to recognize this trend have fallen far behind newer competitors that offer these capabilities. A great example of this is Google's purchase of YouTube. Why, since Google already had a YouTube competitor in GoogleVideo, would Google spend money to essentially create what they already had? Simple. YouTube made it so much easier for users to upload and contribute their own content that YouTube quickly became the defacto site for video upload and sharing. Other sites that enable (even rely on) user-contributed content include Wikipedia, photo-sharing site Flickr (and its dozens of copycats), many politically-focused news/blog sites like Free Republic and Daily Kos, and of course, MySpace which is nothing without the contributions of its huge userbase. A great hybrid model of user-contributed content with is NewsVine, where users suggest "official" news stories for promotion to the main page, create their own original content for inclusion side-by-side with the "official" news stories, and debate the value/accuracy/relevancy of all these stories. * Wikis * Blogging * Photo and Video upload * User-suggested or promoted content 3. User-focused technology and functionality The days of the "walled garden" are over. Users want and expect access to your site's information and data in ways previously unimaginable. From the simple (RSS feeds) to the complex (APIs), users expect to be provided with methods to get to your site's content and functionality. After all, it's often their own content and data they're after. Users also expect that the site's user experience is going to be as advanced and smooth as possible. Page content and functionality that might be clickable, draggable or otherwise interactive should be. Users that have grown accustomed to the seamless experience of working with Google Maps or Flickr's slideshows expect similar interface conventions everywhere they go. * RSS Feeds for content syndication and aggregation * Site API for remote interoperability with site functionality and data * SaaS - Software as a Service Merchandise Tags to Create a Buying Environment gs - allowing users to rate an item or story according to their perception of its valueMerchandising tags or price tags though small in size play a crucial role in imparting significant information regarding the price of the item to the consumer apart from other things. Good quality and well designed merchandise tags create a positive impression in the mind of the user about the product. Merchandise tags also help the manufacturers and retailers to track their inventory. The design of the merchandising tags must depend on the item it needs to be attached to. For example, merchandise tags for ladies product must use nice feminine colors while those for children item must use bright, vibrant colors. Also a merchandise tag for a product meant for old people must use a large text font so that it is easily readable by the buyer and t * Ranking (based on user feedback or tracking - what the most popular stories are, most popular search terms, etc. * Tagging - adding information to a given item on a site by adding tags/labels that help clarify or categorize the site's content 2. User-contributed content Partially due to the the rise and mainstreaming of blogging, users have gone from passive consumers of website content to active participants who expect to be involved in the content on their favorite sites. In fact, sites that have failed to recognize this trend have fallen far behind newer competitors that offer these capabilities. A great example of this is Google's purchase of YouTube. Why, since Google already had a YouTube competitor in GoogleVideo, would Google spend money to essentially create what they already had? Simple. YouTube made it so much easier for users to upload and contribute their own content that YouTube quickly became the defacto site for video upload and sharing. Other sites that enable (even rely on) user-contributed content include Wikipedia, photo-sharing site Flickr (and its dozens of copycats), many politically-focused news/blog sites like Free Republic and Daily Kos, and of course, MySpace which is nothing without the contributions of its huge userbase. A great hybrid model of user-contributed content with is NewsVine, where users suggest "official" news stories for promotion to the main page, create their own original content for inclusion side-by-side with the "official" news stories, and debate the value/accuracy/relevancy of all these stories. * Wikis * Blogging * Photo and Video upload * User-suggested or promoted content 3. User-focused technology and functionality The days of the "walled garden" are over. Users want and expect access to your site's information and data in ways previously unimaginable. From the simple (RSS feeds) to the complex (APIs), users expect to be provided with methods to get to your site's content and functionality. After all, it's often their own content and data they're after. Users also expect that the site's user experience is going to be as advanced and smooth as possible. Page content and functionality that might be clickable, draggable or otherwise interactive should be. Users that have grown accustomed to the seamless experience of working with Google Maps or Flickr's slideshows expect similar interface conventions everywhere they go. * RSS Feeds for content syndication and aggregation * Site API for remote interoperability with site functionality and data * SaaS - Software as a Service Employee Partnership Through Delegation to upload and contribute their own content that YouTube quickly became the defacto site for video upload and sharing.A true leader displays personal power rather than position power. Leading the charge is an important element in partnering with your employees. When I was a child, my mother would say, "Do as I say and not as I do." Which choice do you think I made? Sure, I'd do as my mother "did" and frequently got in trouble for my actions. If this scenario sounds familiar, you better change your approach. "Be sure you're prepared to live the values you profess—your people will 'hear' what they 'see,' not what you say." -Dan McNamara, Senior Vice President, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of AmericaIf you want to develop high performance employee partnerships, you must do so by example. One way to lead by example is to exhibit self-confidence. You can show Other sites that enable (even rely on) user-contributed content include Wikipedia, photo-sharing site Flickr (and its dozens of copycats), many politically-focused news/blog sites like Free Republic and Daily Kos, and of course, MySpace which is nothing without the contributions of its huge userbase. A great hybrid model of user-contributed content with is NewsVine, where users suggest "official" news stories for promotion to the main page, create their own original content for inclusion side-by-side with the "official" news stories, and debate the value/accuracy/relevancy of all these stories. * Wikis * Blogging * Photo and Video upload * User-suggested or promoted content 3. User-focused technology and functionality The days of the "walled garden" are over. Users want and expect access to your site's information and data in ways previously unimaginable. From the simple (RSS feeds) to the complex (APIs), users expect to be provided with methods to get to your site's content and functionality. After all, it's often their own content and data they're after. Users also expect that the site's user experience is going to be as advanced and smooth as possible. Page content and functionality that might be clickable, draggable or otherwise interactive should be. Users that have grown accustomed to the seamless experience of working with Google Maps or Flickr's slideshows expect similar interface conventions everywhere they go. * RSS Feeds for content syndication and aggregation * Site API for remote interoperability with site functionality and data * SaaS - Software as a Service Who Will Buy Your Business - Part 1 of the "walled garden" are over. Users want and expect access to your site's information and data in ways previously unimaginable. From the simple (RSS feeds) to the complex (APIs), users expect to be provided with methods to get to your site's content and functionality. After all, it's often their own content and data they're after.If you want to get the best price, terms, and structure when you sell your business, it is critical that you know who the potential buyers are and what they are looking for. This information will allow you make strategic decisions and position your company to increase its value in the eyes of prospective buyers.In that light, let’s discuss some of the types of buyers you might encounter when you decide to sell all or part of your company. We can first divide the buyer universe into Insiders and Outsiders. It will depend on your goals for yourself and your business as to which group you will want to sell your business to. Insiders include family members and employees. In order to transition your business to family in the most tax efficie Users also expect that the site's user experience is going to be as advanced and smooth as possible. Page content and functionality that might be clickable, draggable or otherwise interactive should be. Users that have grown accustomed to the seamless experience of working with Google Maps or Flickr's slideshows expect similar interface conventions everywhere they go. * RSS Feeds for content syndication and aggregation * Site API for remote interoperability with site functionality and data * SaaS - Software as a Service * AJAX or similar user interface conventions 4. Community/Social Networking Key aspects of Community/Social Networking include: * Rich user profiles * Private messages * Online collaboration tools * Comments/message boards * Integrated site chat With a clear understand of Web 2.0 principles, businesses can begin applying these approaches to their respective online strategies. In future articles, I'll outline successful examples of Web 2.0 applications in traditional business models, including health care, magazine publishing, real estate, and more.
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