Listening to customers isn't a new concept but (most) companies have come a long way from those comment cards in small wooden boxes. Dell computers has Ideastorm, a website where anyone can go on and post an idea, suggestion or even (gasp) a complaint.
Starbucks has a similar site at MyStarbucksIdea.com.
One customer posted his idea requesting the ability to "buy a friend a coffee" remotely. The idea has 35,450 total points and 272 comments (and counting). There is even an official response from Starbucks letting users know that this idea is now "under rest view" by management.
Sites like Ideastorm and MyStarbucks are brilliant. They push the envelope by not just listening to customers but allowing them to participate in the entire idea generation and implementation process.
Dell and Starbucks now know:
1) What their customers like
2) What their customers don't like
3) What their customers want that they don't have
How are you listening to your customers? How are you capturing what might be your company's best new idea? Sites of this scale aren't necessary for all companies but if you have thousands of customers in multiple locations and the only way you "listen" to them is a support email address or a Twitter account, it's time to upgrade the wooden box.
See also the associated Directory podcast which gives a good overview of using the shared users, groups, locations and resources available for iCal meetings...
Posted by: donne russe | 05/23/2011 at 09:26 AM
I searched for this theme! For learn and listen need time and patients.i like the point try talking less and pay more attention! concentrate on these two
Posted by: Buy fashion clothing | 05/23/2011 at 07:10 AM
For learn and listen need time and patients.i like the point try talking less and pay more attention! concentrate on these two
Posted by: ibm laptops | 05/19/2011 at 04:49 AM
See also the associated Directory podcast which gives a good overview of using the shared users, groups, locations and resources available for iCal meetings...
Posted by: true religion outlet | 04/27/2011 at 08:42 PM
* be happy together is good enough. I am not asking for things that I could never get.
Posted by: Replica Christian Louboutin Heels | 01/11/2011 at 08:26 PM
Great Point Clay. Put the people in control.
Posted by: Joseph Joel Sherman | 06/05/2009 at 12:26 AM
Clay, I love this post. A great summary of one way that companies can actively engage their customers. Keep it up!
Posted by: Jon | 06/04/2009 at 10:47 PM
Another common thing between these two is that they both use Salesforce.com Ideas product. And we are very proud of both customers.
Posted by: Anshu Sharma | 06/04/2009 at 02:20 PM