April 2, 2008

Book Review - We are Smarter than Me

We are Smarter than Me: How to Unleash the Power of Crowds in Your Business
Don Tapscott
HD 69 .S8 L53 2008

Wikinomics author Tapscott believes that word of mouth encouragement by a friend is the strongest endorsement that any product or service can have. In this book, he explains how to put the power of public opinion to work, particularly in marketing for businesses. Chapters address how to determine if customers want a new product, the desire for people to "help themselves," and the fact that customers will be more invested and supportive of businesses if they feel that those companies are listening and responding to their feedback. This book focuses primarily on how to harness the wisdom of the crowd to design more desirable products and to increase company profits. However, its larger message is one that merits consideration by companies and organizations of all types.