notes and views on crm, social media, and the human side of information technology

How not to drown in crowds

I have been waiting for this sacred cow to be slaughtered - it’s about time: Sometimes Crowds Aren’t That Wise. Good that someone noticed. We need to clear our vocabulary of this collectivist crap: social this and social that, crowds; you name it, I hate it.

Back to the point, though.

Inviting “crowds” to collaborate with you shouldn’t mean you give up control. Your website isn’t subject to democratic rule. It’s your website.

It means an ongoing elimination of trolls and other vermin so that those who have something valuable to add to the debate can do so safely.

The best examples of co-creation (P&G Connect+Develop, Dell’s IdeaStorm) all show that: you let the public in, but set the rules and stay engaged. Crowds aren’t wise by default, they must be steered in the right direction.

via Broadstuff

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May 27, 2008 | Filed Under Rants 

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