A lot, especially if you’re a business or a person…

Hi! Michael here. First of all, here’s the official definition by Wikipedia.

Ok, here’s my quick and simple definition for businesses:
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Web 2.0 is now the way smart businesses are using the web to reach their markets…and have their markets reach them. That interaction between business and client transcends the “conventional” way businesses have used communication for marketing. Web 2.0 is about interaction with clients using the new tools that the web is providing.
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But wait there’s more!
Tools such as blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, and Podcasts are used with serving community in mind. They are ways to stay informed and in touch. Blogs, for example, are a huge phenomena in the business world and are used by millions of people to criticize, praise, and give suggestions to businesses (the ones that listen…)

“So what?”
So, businesses that listen to their customers and act on what they learn, prosper. And customers also compare notes with other people (fellow customers or potential customers) by having conversations about the company’s products or services. It’s a very powerful way for businesses to not only engage their market by actively taking part in that conversation, but to also gauge ongoing marketing efforts, product or service satisfaction levels, and test new product or service ideas. That’s what.

“What’s all this mean to me and my business?”
Web 2.0 is changing so many things about doing business so fast that companies are struggling to keep up with what’s going on. The phrase “lead, follow, or get out of the way” is quickly becoming more true than ever. “Listen up” is also a nice, useful phrase here. For businesses that are making the moves and getting up to speed, it’s a very good thing. Good for everyone involved. The customers win with more information and insight from the company and the company wins with more information and insight from the customer.

*Warning* Shameless plug directly ahead… I can help you get up to speed with all this and make sure you win (so your customers win too). Because when I help you make more money, you’ll give me some (which I give to my wife). It’s a win-win-win…win situation. My telephone number is up on the header of this page…

Ok!
Well, that’s my simplified overview of what’s fast becoming a way of life for people and a fact of life for companies.

The next post will give some examples of how “disruptive” (wait…that can be good, very good) “Web 2.0″ has been to the old way of marketing…. See ya then.