Consumer Influence Power

As a consumer, you have power to influence how companies interact with you. Including influence over a company’s products and adjustments to how a company does business. The classic approach to a consumer’s influence over a company can be seen in consumer insight panels. A company can gain a lot of insight on how to better accommodate the consumer by getting a direct and non-bias response.

Through the internet and social media, consumer insight panels have become increasing internet based with sites like e-rewards.com or apps like Surveys On The Go, among others. The ability to link news about participating in these surveys and insight panels to a person’s Facebook or Twitter allows access for others to join in on the fun and help shape products and companies to better fit the consumer. 

Socially Active

Social media is a great tool for activism when looking at businesses. Most recently, during the Superbowl there was a Coca-Cola commercial that had ethnically diverse people singing the United States of America’s National Anthem in various languages. People were quick to take to Twitter in two distinct ways. The first group was angered at the commercial because most people in America speak English, so the thought of hearing America’s National Anthem in different languages was not welcomed. People took to Twitter in an effort to try and boycott Coca-Cola, seeing the commercial as being welcoming of illegal immigrants. The second group that took to Twitter, was the group that loved and embraced Coke’s “melting pot” commercial. Suggesting that everyone should be welcoming of each other no matter what background, advocating for equality among people.

The immense attention the Coca-Cola Superbowl ad of 2014 received on Twitter brought a slew of media attention. Social media and it’s various platforms, Twitter and others, are an excellent way of bringing about social or political change. The reason for this is because people feel as thought social media gives them a voice and when enough people make a sound, it catches the attention of national television news outlets and sparks debate.

Go Fund Yourself (Or New Business)

Think a business doesn't suit your needs? Think you can run a business better? Don't have the money to start said business? Go to Kickstarter.com! When a company or product fails to meet our expectations, it can be disappointing. Sometimes, you may even be able to think of multiple different ways you could do it better. This is where Kickstarter comes into play. This site is awesome for crowdfunding the start of your business or the development of a product.

Kickstarter recently hit 1 billion dollars in money pledged to start ups, individuals, and ideas. In return for pledging money to help start a company, a pledger gets items, discounts, or services in return. It's perfect for the person who is fed up with the any business and looking to create their own.

On a personal note, I love this site! I funded an awesome instant coffee company. I know what you're thinking, instant coffee sucks, but not this stuff. It's amazing for instant coffee. Jiva Cubes, check it out...

Web 2.0

I find Facebook highly beneficial for consumers. You can find many businesses on Facebook, as it is the most popular of all Web 2.0 tools. Sometimes, it's even more easy to find a business on Facebook than it is on Twitter. Facebook is great for communicating with a business when you don't think e-mail is an optimal choice.

A strength of contacting a business via it's Facebook, is that they you can do it privately or openly on the business's Facebook wall. Wether your comments are positive or negative, it is still bound to be seen and possibly seen by others. Facebook can be a very efficient and effective way in communicating with a business, engaging in activities and events with a business, or learning about a business. This is why Facebook is an awesome Web 2.0 tool.