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Over the past year, user generated feedback to companies big and small has really taken off. Why are so many companies adopting this new system of feedback on their websites? These feedback forums spark innovation. It’s simple, customers get what they want, and companies become more efficient. However, it is important to note the relationship between company and customer here is essential. Companies need these feedback ideas to stay ahead of the game. Plus, customers want to see their ideas implemented so they can be more productive. The best part is that this whole relationship is completely transparent.

Who is doing idea and feedback sharing right?

Adobe

They are using a custom service from Brightidea, Inc. that allows Adobe users to collaborate and decide which innovative ideas they like best.

Whole Foods

Based off the service from Get Satisfaction, like the name says, everyone is satisfied! Whole Foods gains valuable insight from their shoppers.

TweetDeck

Somewhat similar to Whole Foods, TweetDeck is using UserVoice. The best part is that UserVoice is being the most innovative!

CrowdSound

I don’t have much experience with this one, but it is an awesome tool to gain feedback from all areas on your site.

Are you letting your customers give feedback that will allow your company to be innovative, and drive business to the next level?

A while back I was flipping through Entrepreneur magazine when I came across this ad:

“HARD WORK. DEDICATION. EATING, BREATHING AND LIVING YOUR DREAMS, EVERY DAY. PUSHING HARDER. TAKING RISKS WHEN OTHERS WON’T. NEVER STOPPING. NEVER SURRENDERING. BEING FEARLESS. BEING A LEADER. INSPIRING YOURSELF. INSPIRING THOSE AROUND YOU. EVERY DAY.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?”

This ad sits adjacent to my monitor, and inspires me to be an entrepreneur every day.

Do you have what it takes?

There is no question that everyone reading this post uses internet tools to live smarter. Whether the internet tools you use help you simplify, organize, monetize, or save money, we all use them. As of 2009, participation on the internet is at an all time high because people want to live more efficient lives. This means more and more people continue to be exposed to different media, diverse viewpoints, and posses the ability to connect with one another at the same time. Really, now how fascinating is that, when compared to just 50 years ago?

So, as you can see, the internet is revolutionizing the way people live. I know, that first paragraph was way to generic. Here are some specific examples of how the internet allows the world to live smarter:

Education– The intended use of the internet. How many of you have learned what you do on the internet now, through a book?

Communication– Probably the most vital aspect of being able to function. Email saves paper, thus saving the environment. Plus it’s a whole lot cheaper than regular mail.

Performance Marketing– Businesses are now able to maximize advertising ROI because they have the ability to micro target consumers, who are interested in buying their products online.

Analytics– Humans have never before been able to analyze, compare, and contrast people’s actions. Therefore, more precise trends can be predicted.

Social– Relationships are important to success with anything. Social media has taken relationships to the next level.

Save Money– This past weekend, I booked a room on Priceline.com for $90/night in D.C.. I bid for a 4 star hotel with 2 kings. I ended up with a suite that had 3 kings, 3 bathrooms, a dining room, a large living room, and 4 LCD TV’s. The best part, the room’s standard rate is $5,500/night. Now would you call that living luxurious or living smarter?

What do you do on the internet to live smarter?

Edit: Related article- http://tinyurl.com/chrhn6

All of the sudden actively maintain an online profile/identity has become mainstream. More people than ever before are sharing content and producing content, because web developers have made it extremely easy for them to do so. However, with the current generation of web developers reaching their prime now, where is the next generation of developers to continue building new programs, applications, and other tools on the web? Two blog posts that I’ve read recently explain just that:

Where is the Next Generation of Developers (SitePoint.com)

10 Skills developers will need in the next five years (TechRepublic.com)

The younger generation is certainly involved with the computers, but they are not learning how to build these programs that they use everyday. This is not a good sign for the future of computer science, since computers use continues to grow, while education of how to use computers declines. Some of the most important reasons that kids are not interested in learning about programming are that to many it seems straight up boring, all of the programs that they need exist already, and educators don’t offer it to them in school.

First, the boring part can be fixed most of the time. To get kids interested in programming, engage them. Easier said than done, but if you make it relevant to their lives and provide meaning, they will want to learn. As for programs existing already, this is vital to applications that will be developed progressively. Understanding and manipulating existing code is vital to the innovation of currently developed applications. This is hard to solve though, because in most schools, computer science courses are limited and educators do not see the importance of computer programming literate students in the future. Checkout this eye-opening video: