Use of Web 2.0 in businesses
by Marle Schoenfeldt
1. Businesses using Web 2.0
1.1. Coca Cola keeps its brand in front of young eyes
1.2. Best Buy is an electronics retailer that has built an internal social network
1.3. Ernst & Young has a Facebook-based recruitment program that enables them to keep in touch with the finest graduates
1.4. Dell uses IdeaStorm that enables customers to contribute to innovative designs
1.5. GE has revolutionized knowledge management through an evolved collaboration framework
1.6. IBM gets its employees together for various events
2. Social-networking sites
2.1. It is the online grouping of individuals in communities, workplaces or interests.
2.2. Communities help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed
2.3. Social-Networks enable entrepreneurs to get quotes, advice and more
2.4. connects individuals who want to start a new venture
2.5. Networks can be used to create contacts and share knowledge
2.6. Enables businesses to communicate and collaborate with others
2.7. Professionals can market their business
2.8. Helps the decision makers of the business make decisions
2.9. Businesses can find potential clients and business partners
3. Video-sharing sites
3.1. These are websites or software where businesses can upload, view or distribute video clips online
3.2. One can provide quick feedback
3.3. One can show customers behind the scenes of the business or the production of a product
3.4. New releases can be enhanced
3.5. Use video to raise your business profile
3.6. One can create authentic customer testimonials
3.7. Show how a new product is used or installed
3.8. One can use videos to review, demonstrate or present a new product or service
3.9. Videos are a cost effective way to train employees
3.10. videos can be posted about sale support and maintenance of a product
4. Blogs
4.1. A blog is like a online journal that is chronologically made up of short and frequently updated posts.
4.2. Business Blogs can be used for communication with customers and employees to share expertise and knowledge. Blogs are a corporate tool in a business and consultants and knowledge workers benefit from blogs
4.3. This is an excellent method to help build additional web traffic, and connect with potential customers and employees
4.4. A business can give customers more information about the industry, company and products
4.5. Blogging can help a business achieve goals
4.6. Blogs can help customers to meet their needs and solve their problems
4.7. A useful blog can increase sales and growth of the business in the long term
4.8. Businesses are given a face, voice and more personal feel
4.9. One can add value to the business by promoting products and give discounts to customers reading the blog
5. Twitter
5.1. Users are enable to send and read tweets (messages) on the social networking and micro-blogging website. The tweets are displayed on the author's and subscribers profile page
5.2. Meetings can instantly be made and confirmed
5.3. Can be used as a poll where clients can give their opinion on matters or new products
5.4. It can be used to direct a clients attention to good things or products of the business
5.5. News spreads faster than other sources. Sales or the latest products can be announced using twitter
5.6. One can be given great opportunities and it brings great minds together
5.7. It can be used as a forum for critics to give their opinion and the business can use or study the them to improve products or services
5.8. Twitter can help a business with future development in online social and financial expectations
6. Podcast
6.1. These are digital media files like audio or video files that can be downloaded periodically when realesed
6.2. It can be used as a brand builder
6.3. Reinforces a business to think forward about the leadership perception
6.4. It can be used to deepen the relationships with clients
6.5. It can be used as a promotional tool
6.6. A business can sell sponsorships or advertise a product with a podcast
7. Features and tecniques
7.1. Search
7.2. Links
7.3. Authoring
7.4. Tags
7.5. Extensions
7.6. Signals
8. What is Web 2.0?
8.1. It is the term used with the web based applications that makes the sharing of information easier and more desirable to use on the World Wide Web and allows interaction with other users and editing of website content
9. Wikis
9.1. The flexibility of 'n wiki enables one to work in groups to update or edit work without making use of e-mail or take up time to make conference calls or meetings
9.2. Events and conference agendas can be made ahead of time
9.3. Users can add or edit existing content
9.4. A group of people can work on a document or a part of a document and all group members inputs can be assimilated quickly
9.5. Project key points can quickly be identified and agreed on
9.6. Wikis enable projects to be completed in a structured or an informal manner
10. Mashups
10.1. Businesses who use integrated data services find mashups useful.
10.2. Enable businesses to quickly develop new integrated services
10.3. External or personalized information can be combined with internal services
10.4. User friendly Web browser interfaces make these services tangible to the business
10.5. Businesses can rapidly adapt to changing business needs
10.6. New insights can be developed when businesses act on new businesses act on new oppertunities
10.7. New innovative applications and services can be created
11. RSS Feeds
11.1. Really Simple Syndication is a inexpensive way for a business to talk to the world by publishing web feed formats of work that is frequently updated like blog entries, news headlines and traffic
11.2. Business can increase the awareness of a brand
11.3. One can simultaneously produce and distribute content
11.4. Greater visibility can attract more subscribers that can lead to sales increasing
11.5. Regularly updated feeds promotes the business on search engine rankings
11.6. Saves time and increases productivity of a business
12. Characteristics
12.1. One is encouraged to use networks or the web
12.2. Social tools help one to share information easier
12.3. User friendly sites can be used without help from other
12.4. Distribution of information is made easier
12.5. Data sharing is made easier
12.6. The value of information lies in the content and not in the software
12.7. Problems can be solved easier and faster
12.8. Information can be accessed from almost anyware